Burger brand Wendy's experienced a nearly 50% increase in turnover last year amid a period of rapid expansion.

The chain, famous for its square burgers, doubled the number of its company-owned restaurants from six to twelve in 2023.

Turnover increased from £21.2 million in 2022 to £31.9 million in 2023, while pre-tax profits experienced a slight decline, falling from £1.4 million to £1.2 million.

The chain made its return to the UK in 2021 after a 20-year absence. Since then, it has opened 33 franchised and company-owned restaurants, with new locations set to open this year in Liverpool, Newcastle, and Wood Green in London.

Wendy's increased its workforce from 376 employees in 2022 to 436 in 2023, and the company has announced plans to create up to 400 new jobs this year.

Wendy's was established in Columbus, Ohio, in 1969 and currently operates over 6,000 restaurants in the US, with no European locations outside of the UK. The brand intends to use the UK as a launchpad for expansion into the European market and is actively seeking franchisees for Ireland and Spain.