Aug 15 Reuters Flynn Group, which says it is the worlds biggest franchise operator, bought 83 Wendys franchises in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, bringing its total to 277.

The deal closed on Wednesday, according to Greg Flynn, the company39;s CEO. Terms of the deal and the identity of the seller were not disclosed.

The purchase makes San Franciscobased Flynn one of Wendys biggest U.S. franchisees with nearly one out of every 20 of the burger chain39;s locations. Flynn Group became a Wendys franchisee in 2021 by purchasing around 190 outlets from a bankrupt operator.

Wendys objected to Flynns entry at first, citing Flynns ownership of competitor restaurants. Flynn also owns Arby39;s and Panera Bread locations.

It went from a stiff arm to keep us out of their system to an embrace, now that theyve realized were the kind of franchisee theyd like to see grow in the system, said Greg Flynn, referring to its relationship with Wendy39;s.

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Wendy39;s on Aug. 1 disclosed that samestore sales rose by a mere 0.6 in its U.S. stores and 2.5 internationally in its most recent quarter.

Flynn Group says it generates 5 billion in annual sales and operates more than 2,900 franchises including Wendy39;s, Applebees, Taco Bell, Arbys, Panera Bread, Pizza Hut and Planet Fitness.

Flynn last year became the sole franchisee for Wendys in Australia, where it plans to develop 200 restaurants in the coming decade. Earlier this year, the company also purchased Wendys…