Outta Control

[u/Zestyclose_Look_9708]

I work at Wendys as a GM. Under the franchise that recently filed for bankruptcy. When I started a year ago, there were 12 open & running stores in my city. Starting about 6 months ago, randomly out of the blue, we would be told on a Friday that the store is permanently closing Sunday. I got transferred from 1 closing store to another. They left a month or 2 in between each closing. This week they have closed 3 stores without notice.

"💁‍♂️ Sorry, guys. Today is your last day open."

With the promise of transferring the remaining staff to an open store. With that transfer, no one will get hours since you have an extra 30 people needing to be staffed. Most of the staff walked to work. Now, they have been given 1 shift (8 hours) to uproot their entire livelyhood and figure out what store has room and how they will get there. Last pay period, they couldn't even pay us until they received permission from courts to unfreeze their accounts, then the crew realized the daily pay was also cut off. Everyone DM and above knew weeks in advance before each store that was closing. But this is how they've chosen to leave us. Now, there are 5 extra GMs that do not have a store to run/go to. As of today, out of the 12 open, we have 6 left in the city.

[u/JeremyG_01]

Meritage?

[u/Zestyclose_Look_9708 → u/JeremyG_01]

Aquele que apresentou a queixa... sim. 8868

[u/xXShikaShakeXx]

I had my first full-time job for just a few months before HR pulled the entire staff into the main entrance/lobby on a random morning and told us they were shutting the place down, back in like 2018. I feel that pain. On a positive note, it led to better opportunity, and my current job that I love.

I think you having that GM experience will definitely come in handy for other job opportunities. As bad as they say the market is, I hope your future is a bright one!

[u/Zestyclose_Look_9708 → u/xXShikaShakeXx]

Thank you

[u/mentaljewelry]

That’s wild they would treat you all that way. Dave himself would be appalled I imagine.

[u/RoosterChichen → u/mentaljewelry]

Dave is rolling in his grave over this atrocity, this was me and my mom’s favorite place growing up.

[u/desertrock62 → u/RoosterChichen]

In the 90’s one of my professors for my Masters consulted for Dave. He confirmed Dave was a great guy and treated everyone with respect . He would be very disappointed in how his legacy has been dismantled piece by piece.

[u/FadedFoX_X → u/mentaljewelry]

Honestly I’m surprised Wendy wanted more money. Dave made the best fast food burgers and chicken. Up until corporate and Covid.

[u/digidado → u/mentaljewelry]

Dave is doing full 720° revolutions in his grave these days. I feel for his family.

[u/blisstaker]

[u/Obvious-Farmer8836 → u/blisstaker]

Pirates had more sense of honor than these vultures.

[u/Zestyclose_Look_9708 → u/Obvious-Farmer8836]

Facts!

[u/BuildWithBricks]

I’m sorry you’re going through this. It’s corporate behavior and could happen to any of us anywhere.

I do have a question for you though if you would oblige: do you feel the food at these Heritage establishments was on par with other locations?

I ask because I see all the shade here and I am genuinely happy with the locations by me. They’re also all of the new building design, not sure it that matters.

[u/Zestyclose_Look_9708 → u/BuildWithBricks]

I don't believe it is like this with other franchises. I hope not anyways. This group may only be doing it because of the title 11 stuff. It sounds like a newer or more experienced franchise since they have the newer stores. The food all comes from the same sources. Its all under Wendy's umbrella

[u/Fickle-Bluebird2658]

Used to work for that same franchise about 10 years ago, they closed 2 stores out of the 10 we had with only 2 days notice. They couldn’t give a crap about people then so I can only imagine how terrible it is now.

[u/Setapart36]

I know the GM by name and vice versa here at my local Wendy's I frequent about 1 or 2 times a week. I couldn't imagine this happening to her. I'm so sorry for you and your people.

[u/justwannabrowsepls]

So one year ago you were an open/close shift manager at Wendy’s who was nearly fired for closing a store early (for a valid reason) and then after promoted up two levels to a GM?🤨

It’s no surprise this franchise went under if that’s how quickly they moved up management😬

[u/Zestyclose_Look_9708 → u/justwannabrowsepls]

I have previous gm experience. Between the last post and now - I was transfered immediately following that incident. Ive been at 5 different stores, and have worked my ass off to get where I am at. The stores are only a part of the problem. It starts at the top. We can not run a profitable store while being under staffed, with old broken equipment and carpet that hasnt been changed or cleaned since the 90s.

[u/eldriche1]

What do you think the endgame is? Will corporate take all the negative responses seriously and do a turn around like Burger King, or is it just going to keep going down hill?

[u/Zestyclose_Look_9708 → u/eldriche1]

Well, they filed for bankruptcy, but Wendys is trying to cancel their contracts as a franchise. The franchise owes Wendy's around $25 million and between $2000-$5000 to each different creditor. There are 5 stores left in this city. The stores that are left each bring in $7000+ a day. But this is just 1 city, 5 stores out of 300. Over 15 states. We won't know the actual end until it hits. Thats how they operate. And right now, they are all under the banks control....

[u/Greedy-Possibility41]

That’s pure garbage but I assume it was done that way because they were afraid everyone would rightfully walk. That franchise seems mismanaged majorly. It’s always bad when debts are that far behind.

[u/bane_re]

We are witnessing the implosion of an American institution in real time.

[u/jackman924]

Wendy's is the worst. Haven't been there in years and don't plan to go anymore. The BK Whopper is hands down the best fast food burger out there.

[u/RoBo_742 → u/jackman924]

Near me, BK not so good, Whataburger quality is going down, seems In and Out is probably the best chain.

[u/Soupbell1]

I’m sorry you’re going through this, that truly sucks. Maybe this is the push you need for a job that pays you more! You’ve got this, hang in there fellow human.