Exclusive-Trian has no plans to make bid for Wendy’s right now, sources say

Nelson Peltz's investment firm, Trian Fund Management, has no current plans to make a bid to take Wendy's private, according to sources familiar with the situation. Trian, which holds about 16% of Wendy's shares, was previously reported to be preparing a potential take-private offer with a consortium of investors, including BlueFive Capital and Wendy's franchisee, Flynn Group.

The news of a possible takeover led to a surge in Wendy's stock price, with a 14.7% increase on August 12, pushing the company's market value close to $1.7 billion. However, after Trian's statement on August 26, Wendy's stock plummeted 14% in after-hours trading. Trian expressed concerns about Wendy's performance, strategic direction, and trading price.

Despite the setback, Trian maintains an open mind about its future intentions regarding Wendy's. Wendy's CEO, Bob Wright, recently unveiled a five-point plan to address declining sales and improve the company's performance. The recent drop in Trian's interest may provide Wright with an opportunity to execute his turnaround plan.

Wendy's has been a long-time investment for Trian, dating back to the early 2000s, with a board member connection extending to 18 years.