Major American fast-food chain moves a step closer to Exeter opening

American fast-food chain Wendy’s is a step nearer to opening its first restaurant in Exeter, with branded signage now appearing at its new Alphington Road site.

The globally recognised burger chain announced last year that it would be expanding into the city, and work to transform the long-empty former Chiquito restaurant unit is now well under way. 

The building, part of the Alphington Park retail area, has stood vacant for six years following the closure of the Mexican-themed eatery in 2020.

Images taken this week show Wendy’s distinctive red and white logo installed above the entrance, signalling that preparations are entering their final stages. 

Contractors have been busy refurbishing the interior and exterior of the premises, bringing new life to a site that has remained unused for much of the past decade.

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When it opens, Wendy’s will join a growing cluster of American-style food outlets already based at Alphington Park. 

The restaurant will sit alongside established neighbours including KFC and Starbucks, while Nando’s is also located within the same retail park.

The arrival of Wendy’s marks the latest phase in the company’s continued expansion across the UK. 

Founded in Ohio in 1969, the chain is one of the largest fast-food brands in the world and is particularly famous for its square burgers and Frosty desserts.

For Exeter diners, the opening will add another option to the city’s increasingly competitive fast-food market. 

Alphington Park has become a major destination for drive-thru and casual dining, attracting a steady stream of shoppers and commuters from across the city and beyond.

The unit’s future has been the subject of speculation for several years. After Chiquito closed, a number of potential replacements were mooted, including plans for a Gourmet4 restaurant, which never came to fruition. 

Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons was also previously linked with the site, but those proposals failed to progress.

Wendy’s decision to move in has been welcomed by many local residents, who have watched the empty building sit unused for so long. 

It is also expected to create a number of new jobs once the restaurant becomes operational.

Although an official opening date has yet to be confirmed, the appearance of external signage suggests the launch could be only weeks away.

The Exeter branch will be the latest in a series of new Wendy’s locations across the South West, reflecting the brand’s ambitions to grow its presence outside major metropolitan areas.

More details about recruitment and opening plans are expected to be announced in the coming weeks as work on the site continues.

For now, Exeter’s fast-food fans won’t have long to wait before they can get their first taste of Wendy’s in the city.