Azernews.Az

Wendy`s Co. said it reached an agreement with the Wissol Group to develop 25 restaurants in the neighboring countries of Georgia and Azerbaijan over the next 10 years, allowing the fast-food chain to continue its international expansion, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Wissol, which is one of the largest business groups in Georgia, is expected to open its first Wendy`s location in 2013 in Tbilisi, Georgia`s capital city of about 1.1 million residents. Wissol also works with French oil giant Total S.A and Italy-based API Anonima Petroli Italiana SpA.

``Georgia is a dynamic market with long-term growth potential for the Wendy`s brand, and it plays an important role in our continued expansion in Eastern Europe,`` Wendy`s international business President Darrell van Ligten said.

Wendy`s hopes to spur long-term growth by investing this year in international expansion and menu innovation, continuing tests of its new breakfast menu and even newer Black Label premium burgers. Its other major long-term sales driver is its portfolio of four new restaurant design prototypes that are more modern and entice diners to eat inside, where they typically spend more money.

Wendy`s has seen its bottom line pressured by rising commodity costs and increased marketing efforts recently. In January, it said its fourth-quarter earnings fell 30% as charges masked the fast-food chain`s improved same-store sales and stronger-than-expected revenue growth.

The company`s shares were down 2 cents at $4.98 in recent trading. The stock is down 7.1% so far in 2012.