Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers on Sixth and Green streets will open its doors Monday at 9 a.m., serving a limited breakfast menu and staying open until the bars close.
The two-story restaurant, located at 608 S. Sixth St., took over the space once occupied by Den Liquors.
Tony Allegro, director of operations at All-Star Management, said this will be WAM’s first store on a college campus out of 17 total.
“We’re a family-owned business … and being close to the student body, we think we can build a relationship with the community and with the school,” Allegro said.
Matt Wavering, director of commercial brokerage at Coldwell Banker Commercial Devonshire Realty, who represents WAM Holdings, saw an opportunity for the chain to bring the restaurant to campus.
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“There’s a lack of national burger chains on campus,” Wavering said. “With the amount of food traffic here, in the center of campus, I think we’ll do well in this location.”
Wendy’s will be open for business from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day the first week and will stay open until 3 a.m. every Friday and Saturday. After next week, doors will open at 7:30 a.m. every day.
The restaurant has hired 40 staff members, many of which are students. Allegro said they plan to give future job opportunities to students on campus.
JSM announced its lease with Wendy’s in August, and construction began in October. Wavering said they liked the location because of its proximity to the proposed construction site in Lot J, the parking lot at the corner of Green and Sixth streets, which neighbors Legends Bar and Grill. JSM plans to construct a hotel, apartment building and retail building in the lot. Wavering said he predicts the construction crews, and eventually the out-of-town guests, will help fuel the new business.
Wendy’s was previously located at 528 E. Green St. but closed in the mid-1990s to make way for Chipotle Mexican Grill and Noodles & Company.
With the limited selection of burger fast food chains on campus, some students are excited for the addition of the restaurant.
Al Merkley, junior in LAS, organized a Facebook event for the grand opening celebration. Merkley said because he lives close to the restaurant, he thinks he will eat there several times per week.
“I would not be as excited if it were a McDonald’s or Taco Bell,” Merkley said. “Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich is the best fast food sandwich offered anywhere; that’s a big draw for me.”
Franchise owner operator Mike Allegro also plans to open a Wendy’s in Urbana by fall of 2013 and another in Champaign, although those contracts have not been completed, according to Wavering.
Jordan can be reached at [email protected].
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Tony Allegro is the director of operations for WAM Holdings. He is the director of operations for All-Star Management. The Daily Illini regrets this error.
