Wendy's to sell Zanesville bakery

COLUMBUS – Restaurant chain Wendy's plans to sell its bakery operation in Zanesville.

Wendy's aims to finalize the sale by the end of the second quarter, which continues through June.

Wendy's spokesman Bob Bertini said owning the bakery no longer aligns with the restaurant chain's growth strategy and that selling the bakery allows Wendy's to streamline its operation.

"It will enable us to focus on our core restaurant business," Bertini said.

Bertini called bakeries "noncore assets" to Wendy's.

Wendy's purchased Zanesville's New Bakery Co. in 1981. The company bakes buns out of two plants in Zanesville for the restaurant chain. The New Bakery Co. employs more than 300 people.

"(The bakery is) a great employer," said Tom Poorman, president of the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce. "They're a major employer. It's what we consider good jobs, and we have always appreciated the investment (Wendy's) has made in the Zanesville community. It's been excellent for this community."

Poorman said he does not know how the sale of the bakery will affect employees until terms of the deal are announced. Bertini said Wendy's wants to "ensure a smooth and seamless transition" after the sale is finalized.

Although he could not reveal the potential buyer, Bertini said Wendy's is close to finalizing a deal to sell the bakery within the baking industry rather than in the restaurant industry.

"When the time comes, if that sale goes through, we'll be interested to talk to the new owners and the current plant management and just offer our assistance," Poorman said. "We'll just let them know we're here and willing to help if they want any help."

Along with the bakeries, Wendy's plans to sell about 380 restaurants in 2015 and an additional 260 in 2016.

Wendy's plans to announce more details on the bakery sale June 3.

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