World’s Southernmost Wendy’s Arrives in Dunedin
The world’s southernmost Wendy’s is set to opens its doors to the public this coming Monday 9 March.
Giving Dunedinites their very first taste of Wendy’s, the Anderson’s Bay Rd restaurant is the second Wendy’s to open in
the South Island following on from Christchurch 15 months ago.
It replaces Hornby in Christchurch as the southernmost Wendy’s in the world.
Taking a total of 19 weeks to complete, the new restaurant has meant a total of 54 new jobs for locals with the crew
hiring and training process now almost complete.
Wendy’s NZ CEO Danielle Lendich says interest has been huge. “There are definitely a lot of Wendy’s lovers in the South.
We’ve had people knocking on the doors each day these past few weeks with training going on in store.”
Support from fans has been a big motivator says Lendich with a Dunedin outlet the most popular request on Wendy’s
Facebook page.
“We’ve been wanting a presence here for a long time, but the process has taken a bit longer than expected. Finding the
right location has been key.”
Events like the cricket and university starting back have presented some challenges. “We’ve had to put people up at the
campground with accommodation in the city at capacity.”
The New Zealand-owned company has big expectations for the Dunedin opening after Christchurch’s Hornby restaurant set a
world record for first week sales.
“The big student population would suggest Dunedin has a good chance of beating the Cantabrians, but we’ll just have to
wait and see.”
Ingredients are being sourced locally wherever possible with the outlet’s burger buns made in Dunedin and its cheese,
eggs and produce all coming from South Island suppliers.
In keeping with new look being rolled out by Wendy’s in the United States, Dunedin is the first New Zealand outlet to
sport a recognisable new red blade, white window and new logo.
The 60-seater restaurant also includes a Drive Thru, café style seating and group seating for larger parties, and a new
two-sided grill system that cooks the meat faster and enhances food safety.
With the total number of Wendy’s in New Zealand now at 22, Lendich says the reopening of Hereford St in the Christchurch
CBD is on track for the end of the year andWhangarei and New Plymouth are also on the cards.
Lendich says several management positions have yet to be filled, so anyone interested in working for Wendy’s should
apply via the company’s website.
For more information go to www.wendys.co.nz/employment
Ends