Wendy’s Opens in North Street. ‘I Think it’s the Sauce. It’s Sort of my Favourite’

Published on: 29 Nov, 2023
Updated on: 30 Nov, 2023

Queues at the door on launch day, Tuesday…

By Martin Giles

Guildford has a new burger bar and both staff and customers seem happy with its arrival on North Street this week.

Its launch comes a year after the closure of Burger King, which was also located in North Street, by the bus station. But there are still two McDonald’s restaurants a little further down the street, one of which is in the Friary Centre food hall.

Ali Rupani, director at NFH Restaurants, which has the franchise, said about the new Wendy’s: “It was fantastic to welcome brand fans from across Guildford on opening day so they could experience for themselves the fresh, high-quality food that Wendy’s is known and loved for.

“There was a real buzz with customers and staff getting involved with the opening day celebrations. It’s early days but the initial response has been really positive and we look forward to welcoming more customers in the coming days and weeks.”

… and still plenty of customers on Wednesday afternoon.

The Guildford opening is the second in a programme of new branch openings across the UK over the next few years and will create over 40 jobs in Guildford. According to Wendy’s, at each new location there will be “competitive salaries, employee benefits and opportunities for growth”.

Known for its made-to-order square hamburgers Wendy’s was asked what was proving to be the most popular Wendy meal in Guildford but Ali said: “It’s too early to report on most popular meals in Guildford but across the UK, our famous Baconator and signature Frosty dessert, are amongst the most popular choices for Brits.”

Asked about criticism that burger bar fare, although popular, is “junk food”, the franchisee director said: “At Wendy’s everything is prepared fresh with quality ingredients, locally sourced wherever possible. Nothing in our kitchen comes off the warming tray and the only thing we serve that’s frozen is our Frosty.

“We have long been a leader in providing consumers with information to make educated food and beverage decisions for themselves and their families.”

Jack from Send and his friend were two satisfied customers.

And customers spoken to seemed satisfied. Jack from Send said: “I had tried Wendy’s in central London and when I saw that it had opened here I thought I would try it here as well.

“It has definitely lived up to expectations. Their burgers are really good, I think it is the sauce they use. It’s sort of my favourite.”

Fateata from central Guildford agreed. She was making her first visit to a Wendy’s and said: “The food is very very delicious and tasty.” While Megs and Immy had decided to visit having seen the Wendy chain in New York.

Wendy’s was founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio, USA, and has 7,000 restaurants worldwide.