Iconic US fast food chain that ‘blows McDonald’s out of the water’ to open its 50th UK restaurant – see full list

AN iconic US fast food chain is on track to open its 50th UK restaurant in 2025.

Wendy's, renowned for its square burgers, has already cemented its status as a favourite in the United States, boasting an impressive portfolio of over 6,000 restaurants.

Often hailed as the chain that “blows McDonald's out of the water,” Wendy's has ambitious plans to establish 150 locations across the UK by 2028.

But in a fresh update, the fast-food giant is gearing up to open its 50th UK restaurant this year, marking its debut in Scotland and Ireland.

Additionally, the brand has announced plans to expand into Romania.

Blackpool, Glasgow, Grays (Lakeside), Watford, and York are among the cities preparing to welcome Wendy's.

This expansion is set to create over 150 jobs.

Michael Clarke, managing director for The Wendy's Company in Europe, said: “We see huge potential in the UK market, with plans to add more than 150 new restaurants across the UK and surrounding countries by 2028.

“This year, we will focus on accelerating our expansion efforts so more people across the UK can enjoy Wendy's craveable menu and exceptional customer hospitality.

“We have a solid foundation in the market and believe we are well-positioned to accelerate our growth trajectory even further.”

Wendy's is known for its distinctive square beef patties, spicy chicken sandwich and classic Frosty dessert – which is a mix between a milkshake and an ice cream.

The chain also offers a popular breakfast menu, with breakfast burgers and sandwiches.

Speaking on Reddit, fans have long said that the breakfast selection “blows McDonald’s out the water”.

After a failed British expansion in the between the 1980s and and early 2000s, Wendy's returned to the UK in 2021.

Since then, it has has launched 38 sites across the country.

However, Wendy's is just one of a number of US fast food chains opening branches across the UK.

US fast food chains expand into the UK

Major US fast food chain Chick-fil-A is opening branches across the UK this year too, including in Belfast, Leeds, Liverpool and London.

Flying Ezeexclusively revealed the exact locations of theirfirst five UK restaurants.

Seafood chain Captain D's has announced plans to open 20 restaurants across the country.

Tex-Mex brand Velvet Taco will also making its UK debut in the spring.

Popeyes entered the UK market in 2021 and has proved to be a hit with ravenous customers ever since.

In just 30 months, the brand opened over 38 restaurants across the UK.

It has plans to reach the 60-restaurant milestone by the end of 2024.

Shake Shack, which started out as a hotdog cart, recently opened its first restaurant inside a UK train station.

Brits commuting in St. Pancras International Station can now grab their favourite burgers before jumping onto their train.

The new spot marks the fast food giant's 16th location in the UK since it was launched in Covent Garden in 2013.

While most of Shake Shack's UK sites are based in London, bosses have expanded into other locations in recent years, including Essex, Oxford, and Cardiff.

Shake Shack's humble beginnings trace back to a New York hot dog cart helmed by Randy Garutti.

Wingstop, which currently has 57 sites across the UK, revealed plans in January to open 20 more before the end of 2025.

Wingstop UK said at least 10 new locations will open in the first half of the year.

Branches will pull up their shutters in Swansea, Essex and London, among other spots.

Popeyes is also eyeing up opening 45 locations in the UK this year after pulling up the shutters on 33 sites in 2024.

The fast-food joint, which is famous for its Louisiana-style chicken burgers and tenders, first came to the UK in 2021, opening a site in Westfield shopping centre in Stratford.

But it now intends to expand across the UK, including in cities like Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol.

Dunkin' Donuts, which currently has 30 stores in the UK, hopes to open 30 new branches over the next couple of years as part of a major expansion plan.

Dunkin'Donuts landed in the UK in St John's inLiverpoolin May 2016.

The chain is huge in the US, with almost 9,500 stores spread across the country.

It sells a range of doughnuts, other sweet treats, and hot and cold drinks.