Commercial, Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions  -  May 8, 2024

Wendy's Lowers Emissions by 26%

The Wendy's Company lowered its GHG emissions in Scopes 1 and 2 by 26% and franchisee emissions by 11% per restaurant compared to 2019 levels.

The fast food company more than doubled the number of franchisees reporting through Wendy's Energy Challenge (WEC) since 2022, with 37 franchisees reporting energy data in 2023. Over 2,700 franchise-operated restaurants are participating in WEC as of the end of 2023.

As detailed in its 2023 Corporate Responsibility report, the company also initiated a deforestation risk assessment to prepare for measuring and managing forestry, land and agriculture (FLAG) related emissions.

"Our Good Done Right strategy is backed by action — from sourcing our quality ingredients responsibly to engaging and making a positive difference in our communities," said Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer Liliana Esposito in a statement. "We are deliberate about gaining greater visibility into our supply chain, making measurable progress against our goals and transparently sharing the results of our efforts — all possible thanks to the commitment and collaboration of our employees, franchisees and industry partners."

Wendy’s invited 100% of suppliers in scope for its responsible sourcing program to enroll in its self-assessment platform, which helps the company better understand and track supplier performance on key environmental, social and governance metrics.

The company also aligned with the U.S. Roundtable for Responsible Beef's retail sector targets for air and GHG emissions, conservation of natural resources and more.

Wendy's recognizes leading reporting industry standards, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strives to embed its principles and frameworks throughout the company's report.