Wendy's Smaller Restaurants to Serve Drive-Thru Customers

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.

1 minute read

May 23, 2018, 12:00 PM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Fast-Food restaurant

QualityHD / Shutterstock

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.

Monday, May 21, 2018 in Forbes

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today