In a significant operational pivot, The Wendy’s Company has appointed Pete Suerken as its new President, U.S., effective immediately, succeeding Abigail Pringle, who will depart later in August after a transition period.
Suerken, most recently President and CEO of Wendy’s Quality Supply Chain Co‑op (QSCC)—the independent purchasing cooperative that manages the chain’s supply and distribution—brings over two decades of supply‑chain leadership to the role. His background includes senior roles at Resin Technology Inc. (RTI) and a 13‑year tenure at Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions, the purchasing co‑op serving Yum! Brands’ Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC.
The promotion comes amid broader executive turnover at Wendy’s, following the recent announcement that CEO Kirk Tanner left to lead The Hershey Co. Early in July, Wendy’s CFO Ken Cook—formerly of UPS—was appointed interim CEO and will now oversee Suerken as part of the Wendy’s senior leadership team.
In announcing the appointment, Cook emphasized the urgency of operational excellence: “Delivering exceptional customer experiences, increasing restaurant‑level profitability and accelerating growth are crucial priorities for our U.S. business. I am confident Pete will lead with operational intensity and purpose,” he said.
Pringle, who joined Wendy’s more than 23 years ago and served in roles including International President and Chief Development Officer, took the U.S. President position in mid‑2024. Under her leadership, the brand expanded its Image Activation initiative and modernized restaurant formats. Cook publicly thanked her contributions, noting her “key role” in building a stronger and more modern operational structure.
Suerken’s immediate mandate: reinvigorate restaurant‑level performance and accelerate expansion in both company‑owned and franchise locations. Wendy’s currently operates or franchises more than 7,000 units globally, with over 5,900 in the U.S. market alone..
In recent months, Wendy’s struggled with a 2.8 % same‑store sales decline in U.S. Q1 2025 and closed plans to shutter roughly 140 low‑performing locations. Still, comps improved in seven of eight quarters, a relatively solid record among quick‑service peers. Notably, Wendy’s is also investing in tech modernization, including deploying voice‑AI in 500 drive‑thru lanes this year to improve order speed and labor efficiency.
Wendy’s second‑quarter earnings are due August 8, when investors and operators alike will watch how Suerken’s operational strategy and cost discipline play out across the system.
