BUCYRUS — Downtown Bucyrus once again has an additional culinary option after the business received a facelift in recent months.
The Wendy’s in downtown Bucyrus reopened Friday morning after a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the newly-constructed store at the corner of South Sandusky Avenue and Charles Street.
The new store provides a more modern environment for patrons to enjoy a meal.
“Wendy’s International has a plan for franchisees to remodel 10 percent of their stores in some way each year,” said Zane Gross Jr., co-franchisee of the Bucyrus Wendy’s. “We targeted Bucyrus early because it has really been a good store for us.”
Gross said the old building was one of the first generational styles of a Wendy’s restaurant, including old plumbing and electric. He said a simple interior renovation would not be enough and a complete rebuild was needed.
Gross also said the building needed to be relocated, but an engineer was able to make the adjustments in the same location. The engineer was able to turn the building in a way that fit the company’s needs.
One of those needs was easier access to the entrances and exits for traffic.
In the old layout, motorists entered on South Sandusky Avenue and drive-thru patrons would exit on South Sandusky Avenue, almost at the intersection with Charles Street, causing traffic congestion.
The new drive-thru traffic pattern allows motorists to exit on Charles Street by either turning left or right. Bucyrus Police Chief David Koepke said the change will allow better and safer driving.
“It’s never been a problem area in terms of accidents, but it was a huge problem area in terms of traffic flow,” Koepke said. “Charles Street activity will pick up, but we encourage drivers to turn right on Charles and not everyone try to turn left and get right on Sandusky. That will increase traffic flow.”
Chad Donelson, co-franchisee of the Bucyrus Wendy’s said increased flow was one of the main goals of the traffic redesign.
“When State Route 4 was repaved, we were able to pave over the grass onto Charles,” Donelson said. “This expansion allows motorists to pick which was to go on Charles and also adds an additional option to enter.”
He said it also will allow Wendy’s to remain open when events downtown take place.
“Bucyrus does so many community events the closed the entrance on Route 4 and closed our drive-thru options,” Donelson said. “Now, we will be able to continue business as usual during those special events.”
Both franchisees, who own 64 Wendy’s stores from Akron to South Bend, Indiana, said much of the success of the Bucyrus Wendy’s was due to the efforts of store general manager Branden Douglas.
Donelson said Douglas worked his way through the company ranks and became the general manager of the Willard store.
“He jumped at the opportunity when Bucyrus opened,” Donelson said. “His energy and knowledge mixed with the new store is a perfect marriage.”
Gross said Douglas personifies one of Dave Thomas’ core values – kindness.
“Brandon creates a great culture for his staff and has a passion to serve his clients,” Gross said.
Both men also wanted to thank original franchise owners Jim and Beth Salimbene, who previously owned the Bucyrus, Upper Sandusky, New Bremen and Ottawa stores.
The Salimbene’s were invited to the VIP soft opening Thursday evening, but had to decline as their son left Friday morning for his sixth tour of military duty.
They said the couple would be in town around Thanksgiving to see the store.
Other new features to the store include ordering kiosks at the front counter for patrons to use. A staff member will be stationed at the kiosks to assist customers if needed. The store opened following the ribbon cutting to serve its customers.