The Wendy's Company, an American fast food company, has offloaded 30 St Louis restaurants in Missouri to BB St. Louis, a joint venture between Wendy's franchisee Junior Bridgeman and basket ball player Chauncey Billups.
The proposed stores comprise 29 existing restaurants and one under-construction restaurant.
With this agreement, Bridgeman, a former basket ball player, will become the second largest franchisee of Wendy's with a portfolio of 196 restaurants.
Wendy's president and CEO Emil Brolick said that the move is a part of company's brand revival plan that includes reimaging and developing new restaurants.
"We are expanding our relationship with successful, well-capitalized franchisees with strong operating credentials and a commitment to our Image Activation reimaging program," added Brolick.
The restaurant chain is keen to sell a total of nearly 425 company-operated restaurants to franchise operators by the end of second quarter of 2014.
Bridgeman noted, "We have a tremendous opportunity in the St. Louis market, and our goal is to build upon the positive momentum and growth that the Wendy's brand is currently experiencing."
