John Keells Holdings (JKH) has announced plans to introduce the globally recognised fast-food chain Wendy’s to Sri Lanka, with the first outlet expected to open by December 2026.
The announcement was made in JKH’s financial results for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, released on Tuesday.
The company said it will diversify its Consumer Foods portfolio by entering Sri Lanka’s Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) segment through the rollout of Wendy’s.
JKH said all relevant franchise agreements and preliminary work have already been completed, with the first outlet scheduled to open by December 2026.
Founded in the United States in 1969, Wendy’s is one of the world’s largest fast-food chains, operating more than 7,000 restaurants across over 30 countries. The brand is known for its square beef burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries and its signature Frosty dessert.
The move marks JKH’s entry into Sri Lanka’s international quick-service restaurant market and forms part of the group’s broader strategy to expand its Consumer Foods business.
In its first-quarter financial results, JKH reported a 26% year-on-year increase in recurring EBITDA to Rs. 16.35 billion. The group said growth was driven by strong performances in its transportation, consumer foods, property and financial services businesses, while City of Dreams Sri Lanka continued to record positive momentum. The Keells supermarket business also reported strong growth, with same-store sales increasing by 13% during the quarter.(Newswire)