Wendy’s International,
Inc. (NYSE: WEN) announced today it has appointed
Brion G. Grube as senior vice president of its International
division.

Grube, 49, has been senior vice president of Wendy’s in
Canada for the past seven years. He will report to chief
executive officer and president Jack Schuessler.

"Brion has delivered excellent performance managing
our rapidly growing Wendy’s business in Canada, which
has doubled during his tenure to 324 restaurants, including
nearly 100 Wendy’s/Tim Hortons combo units” said Schuessler.
"In addition to new unit development, our Wendy’s Canadian
business has been a strong performer in growing revenue
and profits. Now we look forward to Brion providing
leadership and strategic direction for the International
Wendy’s division.”

Schuessler noted that average unit sales volumes at
company restaurants in Canada have gown more than 40%
while Grube headed the business. In addition, the number
of franchisees have tripled, and the Canadian Franchise
Association has given Wendy’s their Award of Excellence
twice in the past three years. Wendy’s International
division consists of 370 restaurants outside of North
America in three regions—Latin America/Caribbean,
Asia/Pacific and Europe/Middle East. Nearly all of the
International restaurants are operated by franchisees.

The company recently appointed senior vice president
John F. Brownley as head of International finance. Brownley,
the company’s treasurer, will also work with Grube on
planning for the International division.

"Our approach with International Wendy’s will be very
disciplined, focusing on our areas of strength with
experienced franchisees who have strong operational
skills and solid financial backgrounds,” said Grube.
"Our goal is to support our franchisees and develop
the International division into a more profitable contributor
for the Company.”

Grube joined Wendy’s in 1990 as division vice president
for the Company’s Virginia Beach market. He previously
was division vice president for a California-based financial
institution and prior to that spent 12 years with Pizza
Hut in various multi-unit leadership positions. He has
a B.S. in Comprehensive Social Studies from Millersville
State University.

Neil Lester heads Canadian Wendy’s

The Company also announced today that it has promoted
Neil G. Lester to senior vice president in charge of
Wendy’s business in Canada. Lester, 46, joined Wendy’s
in 1997 and most recently was a division vice president
in Canada. The Ontario native has been heavily involved
in planning the business strategies that will guide
Wendy’s aggressive growth plans in Canada. He previously
was regional director of operations for Blockbuster
Video, and a former market director for Burger King
in Canada.

"As a Canadian, I’m very proud to lead the premier
hamburger restaurant chain in the country,” he said.

Lester holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Hotel and Food
Administration from the University of Guelph in Toronto,
Ontario. He will report to Tom Mueller, president and
chief operating officer of Wendy’s North America.

The company also announced today that senior vice president
James Rieger has resigned to pursue other opportunities.
Rieger had managed the International division.