Wendy's Co

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )

Filed by the Registrant

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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

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Check the appropriate box:

THE WENDY’S COMPANY

(Name of the Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):

The Wendys company notice of 2026 annual meeting of stockholders & proxy statments

April 2, 2026

Dear Fellow Stockholders:

You are cordially invited to join us at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of The Wendy’s Company (the “Company”), which will be held virtually through a live webcast on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). We believe the live webcast will provide greater accessibility and a consistent experience to our stockholders and allow all stockholders with Internet connectivity to participate in the Annual Meeting regardless of location. At our virtual Annual Meeting, stockholders who held shares as of the record date, March 23, 2026, will be able to attend and participate. Please visitwww.proxydocs.com/WEN for more details. The Board of Directors and management hope that you will be able to participate in the virtual Annual Meeting. The business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting is described in the Notice of 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement (the “Proxy Statement”).

Please be advised that prior registration atwww.proxydocs.com/WEN is required to attend and participate in the virtual Annual Meeting. Upon completing your registration (which will require the control number included in your proxy card, voting instruction form or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials) you will receive further instructions via email, including your unique links that will allow you to access, submit questions for and vote at the virtual Annual Meeting. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person.

We encourage you to participate in the virtual Annual Meeting. For further information on how to participate in the virtual Annual Meeting, please see “Additional Details Regarding the Annual Meeting” on page 6 of the Proxy Statement. Whether or not you plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. Please promptly cast your vote by completing and returning your proxy card in the enclosed envelope or to the address indicated on your proxy card or voting instruction form. You may also cast your vote by telephone or via the Internet as described in the instructions included with your proxy materials. If you attend the virtual Annual Meeting and wish to vote your shares electronically during the Annual Meeting, you may revoke your previously submitted proxy as explained in the Proxy Statement.

Thank you for your continued support and investment in The Wendy’s Company.

Sincerely,

KEN COOK

Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

NOTICE OF 2026 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)

Virtual Meeting Only – No Physical Meeting Location

The 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of The Wendy’s Company (the “Company”) will be held virtually through a live webcast on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). We believe the live webcast will provide greater accessibility and a consistent experience to our stockholders and allow all stockholders with Internet connectivity to participate in the Annual Meeting regardless of location. See “Annual Meeting Attendance and Participation” below for additional details.

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to:

RECORD DATE

The record date for the Annual Meeting is March 23, 2026. Only holders of record of shares of the Company’s common stock at the close of business on the record date are entitled to vote on all business transacted at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

VOTING YOUR PROXY

Your vote is important! Stockholders are cordially invited to attend and participate in the virtual Annual Meeting via our live webcast. Whether or not you plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, please promptly complete and return your proxy card in the enclosed envelope, or submit your proxy by telephone or via the Internet as described in your proxy card or voting instruction form. As described below, you may also vote electronically at the virtual Annual Meeting if you register, attend and participate in the virtual Annual Meeting.

ANNUAL MEETING ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

Please be advised that prior registration atwww.proxydocs.com/WEN is required to attend and participate in the virtual Annual Meeting. Upon completing your registration (which will require the control number included in your proxy card, voting instruction form or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials) you will receive further instructions via email, including your unique links that will allow you to access, submit questions for and vote at the virtual Annual Meeting. If the shares you own are held in “street name” by a bank or brokerage firm, you must obtain a valid proxy from your bank or brokerage firm in order to submit your vote at the virtual Annual Meeting. For further information on how to register, attend and participate in the virtual Annual Meeting, please see “Additional Details Regarding the Annual Meeting” on page 6 of the Proxy Statement.

By Order of the Board of Directors:

JOHN MIN

Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

April 2, 2026

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholdersto be held on May 20, 2026: This Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Proxy Statementand the 2025 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at www.proxydocs.com/WEN.