Recognition Done The Wendy's Way

Wendy’s® has built a strong culture of recognition at every level, but never has this culture been more important than during the last several months as the world has depended on restaurants to sustain and uplift the communities they serve. Our restaurant teams have remained dedicated to supporting one another and our customers, and our Wendy’s family has made it a priority to let these teams know how much we appreciate them through several recent appreciation events.

Global Restaurant Team Appreciation Week

On Monday, May 18, Wendy’s launched the first-ever Restaurant Team Appreciation Week around the world to recognize and say ‘thank you’ to all Restaurant Managers, Team members and District Managers across the Wendy’s System. Read more below to hear how Wendy’s family members across the globe joined together to celebrate this special week in unique and memorable ways.

Celebrating in the U.S.

Company and Franchise teams across the U.S. honored restaurant teams in fun and inspiring ways, from hosting themed dress-up days to distributing ‘Awesome’ award certificates. Free goodies and food, including donuts and pizza, were also provided to teams and special gifts were given to General Managers (GMs).

For example, franchisee Primary Aim’s teams in Pittsburgh, PA celebrated by wearing a variety of superhero outfits, and one of their operators dressed in a crew uniform to visit restaurants and show his respect and gratitude. The organization also delivered Hero Boxes with goodies and a personal note from the franchisees to each GM.

The leadership team from Starboard in South Florida created their own special awards for Best Grill Operator, Best Register Operator, and Best Sandwich Makers and traveled around the market to distribute these accolades to various team members.

To sum up the week, Boston Division Franchise Market Consultant Jennifer Abreu said, “I was able to spend my time doing my favorite part of the job, recognizing amazing GMs and their teams for what they do every day! They not only take care of their customers, but they also take care of each other…Being able to see the smiles through their masks as they were recognized and personally thank them is all the motivation I need!”

Also in the U.S., we were able to recognize the Class of 2020, who missed out on some important milestones this year such as a traditional high school or college graduation ceremony, graduation party, their last high school prom or the end of their senior Spring sport season. Understanding this, our teams decided to celebrate high school and college graduates the Wendy’s Way. These students have proven themselves in the classroom and in the restaurant, and staying true to Wendy’s Values, many graduates were recognized across the System.

In Columbus, Company restaurant teams spent May 18-22 celebrating graduating senior employees at each of their restaurants. Graduates were invited to receive their Wendy’s Honorary Graduate Diplomas, presented by their management team. These special ceremonies included food, cake, a graduation gift and lapel pin, and lots of pictures filled with fun graduation props.

In Boston, MA and Providence, RI, Wendy’s Company teams recognized seniors by decorating their restaurant dining rooms with balloons, signs, streamers, and confetti while graduates walked down the designated walkway to meet their manager at a photobooth station. They were given their Wendy’s Honorary Graduate Diploma along with gift bags and cake. Many GMs also took the time to recognize and thank the graduates for all they do for Wendy’s.

An International Celebration

Latin America and Caribbean Region

Wendy’s restaurants in Bahamas celebrated Restaurant Team Appreciation Week with themed events each day, like Masquerade Monday and Friends and Family Frosty® Give-away Thursday. Each restaurant also hosted a raffle giveaway with fun prizes for team members.

Also in this region, teams in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Puerto Rico celebrated their restaurant heroes on social media with video messages and pictures, as well as themed events in the restaurant each day. Each restaurant also voted on the top three crew members to receive Appreciation Certificates that were delivered to each winning employee.

Canada

Many of the Wendy’s restaurants in Canada celebrated Restaurant Team Appreciation Week in fun and creative ways. WTC Ventures hosted Sweet Treat Day Monday, Pizza Party Tuesday, Favorite Color Shirt Wednesday, and Crazy Hat Thursday. Blackstar Franchisee Michael O’Brien distributed appreciation lapel pins and have continued to provide free meals to staff since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several other Canadian franchisees hosted raffles and offered prizes including gift cards and care packages. Franchisees Dean and Rebecca Allison bought personalized gifts for each of their GMs, and they awarded a scholarship fund for one of their crew members who is working hard to save money for post-secondary education. Rebecca Allison said, “For me sincerely the best part of my job is going in and being with my work family!  It’s not hard to find ways to thank them for being there.  I want them to know it doesn’t go unnoticed.”

APMEA Region

On the eastern side of the world, Wendy’s restaurants in India recently reopened earlier in the week and teams celebrated with a Sweet Frosty Party. Wendy’s restaurant crew members also received certificates of appreciation.

As One Wendy’s Family, we couldn’t be more grateful for those we celebrated and to everyone that made these appreciation events possible.

A huge heartfelt thank you to all our Wendy’s restaurant teams everywhere! You’re the best!