---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-26-231809"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "WEN"
cik: "0000030697"
company_name: "Wendy's Co"
filed_at: "2026-05-20T12:36:58+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-20T12:41:39.517924+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Wendy's appoints Robert D. Wright as President and CEO effective May 21

## Summary
- Robert D. Wright appointed President and CEO effective May 21, 2026; also joins Board of Directors.
- Wright previously served as CEO of Potbelly Corp and held prior senior roles at Wendy's including EVP, COO.
- Compensation: base salary $1M, target bonus 175% of salary, LTIP awards: PSUs ($3.1M), RSUs ($900K), options ($1.5M).
- Ken Cook, who served as interim CEO, will continue as CFO.
- Wright eligible for retirement-based vesting after 6 years as CEO.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-26-231809
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: WEN
- cik: 0000030697
- company_name: Wendy's Co
- filed_at: 2026-05-20T12:36:58+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/30697/000119312526231809/0001193125-26-231809-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/30697/000119312526231809/d122885d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-231809
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-231809.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-231809.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Kenneth Cook changed role as Interim Chief Executive Officer at Wendy's Co.
  - Action: ceased to be
  - Role: Interim Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Kenneth Cook will cease to be the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company as of the Effective Date.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/30697/000119312526231809/0001193125-26-231809-index.htm
- Executive change
  Robert D. Wright was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer at Wendy's Co.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On May 17, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of The Wendy’s Company (the “Company”) appointed Robert D. Wright as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective May 21, 2026
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/30697/000119312526231809/0001193125-26-231809-index.htm
- Executive change
  Robert D. Wright was elected as Director at Wendy's Co.
  - Action: elected
  - Role: Director
  source text: The Board also elected Mr. Wright to serve as a director of the Company, as of the Effective Date.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/30697/000119312526231809/0001193125-26-231809-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.