Wendy’s has brought back its former chief operating officer to lead the company as its new CEO.
Directors of the Dublin-based fast-food chain, in the midst of efforts to revive sales and refresh its image, announced that Bob Wright, whose 33-year restaurant career includes three separate stints with Wendy’s, will take over the company’s top job May 21.
Wright replaces Ken Cook, the Wendy’s chief financial officer who served as its interim CEO since July 2025. He’ll be the fourth person with the title since January 2024, when Todd Penegor left Wendy’s after eight years at its helm. He was replaced by Kirk Tanner, who resigned in August 2025 to become CEO at The Hershey Co.
The chain founded in Columbus by Dave Thomas in 1969 has been wrestling with a decline in sales and stock value, the latter down 68% since May 2021. Wendy’s stock was up after its board’s CEO announcement May 20, from $7.88 per share to $8.10 shortly after noon.
Cook announced a 5.5% overall decline in the company’s first-quarter sales May 8, and that followed a 3.5% annual decline in 2025. International sales are the only glimmer of hope in Wendy’s recent reports; they were up 8.1% in 2025 and up 6% in the first three months of 2026.
Art Winkleblack, chairman of the Wendy’s Board of Directors, said in a news release from the company that he and other company leaders are confident Wright is the right leader for Wendy’s next chapter.
“He is a proven operator and brand builder with deep industry expertise and a results-driven approach that aligns with our strategic priorities,” Winkleblack said. “Bob has strong support across our franchise community, and we look forward to partnering with him to further strengthen the business and drive long-term value for our customers, franchisees and shareholders.”
Wright’s stints with Wendy’s include more than five years as COO, from December 2013 to May 2019. He previously served as the company’s vice president of operations and training integration from October 2006 to January 2008 and as a franchise area director and director of area operations from June 1998 to April 2005.
He served as president and COO of Columbus-based Charleys Cheesesteaks from 2010 to late 2013. Wright most recently was CEO at the sandwich chain Potbelly.
Follow Dispatch dining reporter Bob Vitale on Instagram at @dispatchdining. You can reach him directly at rvitale@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Wendy’s brings back former COO Bob Wright as new chief executive
Reporting by Bob Vitale, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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