DUBLIN, OHIO — Wendy’s is taking its breakfast menu nationwide next year.
The menu already is available in more than 300 locations. It features signature items including the Breakfast Baconator, Frosty-ccino and Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit.
The company, which currently has more than 5,800 locations across the country, said it will recruit approximately 20,000 new employees to support the daypart expansion.
“Launching breakfast in our U.S. restaurants nationwide provides incredible growth opportunities,” said Todd A. Penegor, president and chief executive officer of The Wendy’s Co. “We are well-positioned to pursue it. We believe we have the right team and structure in place, and we put Wendy’s fan favorites on our breakfast menu to set us apart from the competition.”
Wendy’s is investing $20 million to prepare for the launch. As a result, the company cut its 2019 earnings forecast. Last month, the company said it expects to end the year with adjusted earnings per share growth of 3.5% to 7%. Now, it expects adjusted earnings per share to decline by 3.5% to 6.5%.
This isn’t the first time Wendy’s has tried its hand at breakfast. It has struggled to successfully add the daypart for decades. With business at fast-food burger chains slowing down across the category, however, breakfast may help boost traffic. It is the only restaurant daypart with year-over-year growth, according to data from the NPD Group.
More details are expected to be shared during Wendy’s investor day on Oct. 11.