Franchise Bits

USA Today reports that Wendy’s Franchisee, David Karam, is in the running to purchase the 3rd largest hamburger chain in the country. Mr. Karam is the owner of 135 Wendy’s franchises, and, help of two private-equity firms, has been invited by by Wendy’s International to a second round of talks.

His bid for the chain has the backing of Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas’ daughter, Pam Thomas Farber, who would very much like to see the company go to someone that is invested in the business.

“I believe in the brand,” Karam told the newspaper. Customers have a bond with the brand, he said, and “under the right leadership, it could be reignited.”

It is interesting to note that the Karam family goes back with Wendy’s all the way to the beginning. David Karam’s father, Joseph Karam, was one of the original investors in Wendy’s and became a franchisee in 1975.