Burger chain Wendy’s to expand in the UK with hundreds of delivery-only ‘dark’ kitchens

BURGER chain Wendy’s is set to open hundreds of delivery-only outlets across the UK.

The US company is switching its focus to so-called “dark” kitchens.

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These are often located on industrial estates or in railway arches, where rents are cheaper.

The pandemic led to McDonald’s, Burger King and KFC rapidly rolling out home delivery via firms such as Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats.

McDonald’s was trialling home delivery before the pandemic but scaled up operations during lockdown.

Wendy’s said it will open 50 kitchens in the UK, US and Canada by the end of the year and 700 in the next five years.

It is thought a third could be in Britain.

That could mean 17 by the end of this year and 233 by the end of 2025.

Wendy’s, which is partnering with Reef on the project, said: “The company announced today a development commitment by Reef to open and operate 700 delivery kitchens over the next five years across the U.S, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

“This commitment is building on the successful test of eight delivery kitchens that opened in Canada.

“The company expects Reef to open approximately 50 delivery kitchens in 2021 with the remainder being opened in 2022-2025.”

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk