The world's largest restaurant franchisee operator is acquiring New Zealand's Wendy's burger outlets (Wendco NZ Ltd).
Flynn Group, which operates the likes of Pizza Hut and Taco Bell in the US, is now the sole franchisee of Wendy's in New Zealand and Australia, the company said.
The San Francisco-based business generates more than US$4.5 billion in annual sales, according to its website.
Flynn Group also expanded into Australia last year with plans to open 200 Wendy's restaurants across the Tasman by 2034.
"Operated by the Lendich family since 1988, the Wendy's New Zealand franchise business has grown to include more than 20 Wendy's restaurants from Auckland in the north to Dunedin in the south," the franchisee said.
"With the purchase, Flynn is now the sole franchisee for The Wendy's Company in Australia and New Zealand and will be working closely with the brand's team to scale and develop in both countries."
Flynn Group, founded in 1999, has more than 2600 restaurants and gyms in the US and Australia, and employs over 75,000 people, according to its website.
"The acquisition of the Wendy's New Zealand business represented a compelling opportunity to continue our growth ambitions internationally and to expand our strong partnership with the much-loved Wendy's brand," Flynn Group chief operating officer Ron Bellamy said.
"Wendco New Zealand has a proud 35-year track record of delighting customers and we are honoured to carry that tradition forward. Our immediate priority will be to collaborate with the existing team to determine how we can best leverage our scale and capabilities to build on their success as we enter this next chapter of growth together.
"To help ensure strong continuity for all 500 of Wendco New Zealand's employees as well as its partners and suppliers, Flynn plans to retain the current operations and support teams and looks forward to creating job and career advancement opportunities as the Wendy's brand expands in this market."
