Wendy's has been updating the look and design of their restaurants since last year, but now a new layout will shrink the footprint and add efficiency to the fast food spot.

Wendy's new store layouts are smaller and orient the business toward its drive-thrus. "Having a smaller footprint is a fairly new trend in quick-service restaurants, considering about 70% of the segment’s traffic comes from the drive-thru, surprisingly so," Alicia Kelso writes for Forbes. This emphasis on drive-thrus is taking place even as some urbanists look to limit drive-thrus, which can be hazards to pedestrians, and discourage walking.
Besides the smaller format, the buildings are also more environmentally friendly. "The Smart design prototype features recycled materials and LED lighting, as well as Energy Star equipment, including high efficiency HVAC systems, which yield a 20% reduction in costs," Kelso reports.
Wendy's argues that their stores’ new designs are more attractive and take in more revenue than restaurants that have yet to update their layout.
FULL STORY: Wendy's Smart Design Restaurants Reflect Trend Toward Smaller Footprints

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie