New Company will be Named Wendy’s/Arby’s
Group, Inc.
Triarc Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRY; TRY.B), the parent company of Arby’s
Restaurant Group, Inc., which is the franchisor of the Arby’s®
restaurant system, and Wendy's International, Inc. (NYSE: WEN),
announced today that they have completed their merger transaction.
Effective immediately, the combined company will be named Wendy’s/Arby’s
Group, Inc.
Roland C. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wendy’s/Arby’s
Group, said: “I am delighted to announce the
completion of this merger, which creates a world-class company with the
strength, scale and expertise necessary to thrive in a competitive
restaurant environment. As one company, we are well-positioned to
deliver long-term value to our stockholders through enhanced operational
efficiencies, improved product offerings, shared services and strong
human capital. We have worked together diligently to close this
transaction over the past several months, and will push forward with
that same intensity.”
Under the merger agreement, Wendy’s
shareholders received 4.25 shares of Triarc’s
Class A common stock for each common share of Wendy’s.
In addition, each outstanding share of Triarc Class B common stock,
Series 1, was converted into one share of Triarc Class A common stock,
resulting in a post-merger company with a single class of common stock.
Commencing on Tuesday, September 30, 2008, the combined company will
trade under the symbol “WEN”
on the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, the company will unveil a
new corporate web site at www.wendysarbys.com
concurrently with the opening of the stock market on that date.
Also effective today, the Company's Board of Directors was expanded from
11 to 12 members. As previously announced, Russell V. Umphenour, Jr. has
resigned and two former Wendy’s directors,
Janet Hill and J. Randolph Lewis, have been appointed to the Board of
Directors. Additionally, Roland C. Smith has assumed the position of
President and Chief Executive Officer of Wendy’s/Arby’s
Group and Chief Executive Officer of Wendy’s,
Thomas A. Garrett has assumed the role of President and Chief Executive
Officer of Arby’s, Michael I. Lippert has
assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer of Arby’s,
J. David Karam has assumed the position of President of Wendy’s,
Stephen D. Farrar has assumed the position of Chief Operating Officer of
Wendy’s and Kenneth C.