When I first moved to the Cayman Islands in 2001 I not only discovered Wendys, but lives off of the 99 cents menu until I found a job. Then on my first wage I got the triple burger!
And you know what I liked the place a lot and have seen it in many countries. I have not though seen it neatly as much as McDonalds, KFC, or Burger King! Which got me thinking, which countries have Wendys and which do not?
What the Wendys?
Wendy’s was founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio. The concept was simple but distinct: square burgers made with fresh, never frozen beef, and a menu that included items like the Frosty dessert and baked potatoes that set it apart from other fast food chains. From the beginning, the brand focused on quality, marketing itself as a slightly more premium alternative to McDonald’s or Burger King. By the mid-1970s, Wendy’s was expanding rapidly across the United States, opening hundreds of locations and becoming famous for its 99-cent menu items that appealed to students and workers alike.
The chain became publicly traded in 1976 and continued to grow steadily. During the 1980s and 1990s, Wendy’s began international expansion, opening in countries such as Japan, Canada, and the United Kingdom, though its footprint never reached the scale of McDonald’s. The brand has also experimented with co-branded locations, menu adaptations for local tastes, and occasional rebranding to remain relevant. Today, Wendy’s has over 7,000 locations worldwide and remains known for its square burgers, fresh ingredients, and the iconic Frosty that has become a symbol of the chain globally.
How many countries is Wendys in?
As of 2025, Wendy’s operates in 32 countries and U.S. territories. Here is every country and territory and how many locations are there:
- United States – 6,030 locations
- Canada – 400+ locations
- Mexico – 40 locations
- Puerto Rico – 10 locations
- Dominican Republic – 10 locations
- El Salvador – 5 locations
- Guatemala – 5 locations
- Honduras – 5 locations
- Jamaica – 5 locations
- Panama – 5 locations
- Trinidad and Tobago – 5 locations
- Cayman Islands – 5 locations
- The Bahamas – 5 locations
- Aruba – 2 locations
- Curacao – 1 location
- St. Lucia – 1 location
- St. Maarten – 1 location
- United Kingdom – 40 locations
- Ireland – 1 location (opening October 2025)
- Italy – 0 locations (170 planned by 2035)
- Armenia – 0 locations (20 planned by 2030)
- India – 1+ location (exact number not publicly confirmed)
- Indonesia – 1+ location
- Japan – 10 locations (co-branded Wendy’s First Kitchen)
- Kazakhstan – 1 location
- Kuwait – 1 location
- Philippines – 63 locations
- Qatar – 1 location
- Saudi Arabia – 3 locations
- United Arab Emirates – 2 locations
- Uzbekistan – 1 location
- Australia – 1 location
- New Zealand – 1 location
- Guam – 1 location
The most popular markets remain the United States, Canada, and the Philippines, with steady growth in parts of the Middle East and Asia.
Which countries used to have Wendys?
Wendy’s has previously operated in several countries but has since exited due to various factors such as market conditions and strategic decisions.
- Russia – Entered in 2011; exited in 2014 due to franchisee issues, lack of resources and a bit of war….
- South Africa – Entered in 2012; exited in 2016 due to market challenges.
- South Korea – Entered in 1984; exited in 1998 due to market conditions.
- Spain – Entered in 1980; exited in 2000 due to market challenges.
- Switzerland – Entered in 1981; exited in 1983 due to market conditions.
- Taiwan – Entered in the 1990s; exited in the 2000s due to market challenges.
- Thailand – Entered in the 1990s; exited in the 2000s due to market conditions.
- Turkey – Entered in 1988; exited in 1990 due to market challenges.
- Venezuela – Entered in 1997; exited in 2021 due to economic and operational challenges. Take that capitalism.
Future Wendys Markets
Wendy’s is looking forward to global expansion over the next decade. In 2025, the company opened 74 new restaurants worldwide, including 28 in the U.S. The focus is on growth in countries with emerging markets and strong urban populations.
The Irish market is set to launch with its first restaurant in October 2025, bringing the brand to Europe where there is strong potential for acceptance. Agreements have also been finalized for 190 new restaurants in Italy and Armenia, with Italy expected to see 170 locations by 2035. Wendy’s is experimenting with delivery-focused formats and co-branded locations to enter new regions more efficiently.
Asia, the Middle East, and selected Pacific countries are expected to be priority markets in the coming years, giving the brand a chance to expand beyond its traditional North American stronghold.
Where does it rank?
Globally, Wendy’s operates over 7,000 restaurants, with roughly 83% located in the United States. It is the third-largest hamburger fast-food chain worldwide, behind McDonald’s and Burger King. Revenue-wise, Wendy’s consistently ranks in the top tier of global fast-food brands, although its international presence is smaller than its competitors.
The chain is highly profitable in its core markets and continues to invest in expansion to boost its global footprint.
Is Wendys any good?
OK, so Wendys is but a mere fast food restaurant, but if you like that kind of thing it is one of the best. Essentially its a bit of a “if you like McDonalds you like McDonalds, if you like burgers, you like Wendys”…
Other bits vary by where you are, with the Philippines for example doing good gravy and well local spaghetti……I’d say the fried chicken is not great, but hey I am a KFC fundamentalist. Another highlight here is the Frosty if the machine works that is….