Wendy's marketing executive Calhoon to work less

Calhoon will assume new responsibilities supporting Enterprise initiatives

Company will conduct search for new EVP & Chief Marketing Officer for the Wendy's brand

Wendy's International, Inc. (NYSE: WEN) today announced that Executive Vice President of Wendy's® Marketing Don Calhoon is moving into a semi-retirement role after 26 years with the Company and will assume new responsibilities.

Calhoon will assist Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jack Schuessler with Enterprise marketing opportunities and initiatives.

The Company has initiated a national search for a new Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Wendy's brand. The position will continue to report to Wendy's North America President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Mueller. The Company has retained the premier global executive search firm Russell Reynolds to conduct the search for a world-class marketing executive.

Calhoon will continue in his current role until the new EVP is hired.

"We will ensure a seamless transition in marketing over the next several months by focusing on disciplined planning and balanced marketing," said Schuessler. "Wendy's marketing has a long and successful track record. Don has provided excellent leadership, strategies and processes while building a strong team. Marketing has successfully partnered with operations, research and development, other key departments and our franchisees to produce consistently strong results.

"Wendy's 16 consecutive years of positive same-store sales in the United States are a testimony to the effectiveness of our marketing group. We are positioned to produce one of our best years in sales growth with same-store sales for the first six months of 2004 up a robust 7.4% at our Wendy's company restaurants," said Schuessler. "We are also very pleased with our 'Mr. Wendy' advertising campaign, which is receiving positive feedback from consumers."

Supporting the EVP of Wendy's marketing are two experienced professionals - senior vice presidents Bob Levite and Mary Ann Pilotte - and their staffs. Levite is a 15-year veteran of the Wendy's organization, including the last four years with the Company. He previously led the Columbus, Ohio, office of Bates Worldwide, which was Wendy's long-time advertising agency that managed the highly successful Dave Thomas marketing campaign. Levite currently directs the creative, brand marketing and media functions. Pilotte is a 20- year veteran of Wendy's and has held a number of marketing positions in the field, for Wendy's Restaurants of Canada and at the corporate office. Pilotte currently directs the marketing planning, analysis, consumer research and field marketing functions.

Also supporting the Wendy's marketing team is the Company's advertising agency partners, McCann-Erickson Worldwide and the Vidal Partnership, as well as the public relations agency Ketchum Worldwide.

Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

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