Wendy’s Co. re-entered the Japanese market after closing all 71 of its Wendy’s restaurants in the country in December 2009. At the time, Wendy’s cited the then-franchiser’s failure to meet expectations for development growth and reinvestment in the business.
The company announced in March that it is returning to the country with a new partner, Tokyo-based Higa Industries Co. Ltd., a food importer and distributor. This time around, Wendy’s sees the potential for as many as 700 restaurants, spokesman Bob Bertini said.