Wendy’s moves closer to opening first Greater Manchester restaurant in former TGI Fridays in Sale
Wendy’s has submitted a planning application to open a drive-thru restaurant at the former TGI Fridays site in Sale.
TGI Friday’s Sale closed in 2024 © Google Maps
The American fast food chain is looking to take over the vacant restaurant unit on Cross Street. The latest application seeks approval of details reserved by a condition attached to an earlier planning permission. The condition relates to the Construction Environmental Management Plan for the site.
The original proposal is for the change of use of the former TGI Fridays restaurant from a Class E restaurant to a drive-thru restaurant, along with external amendments, new plant equipment, changes to the site layout, a new drive-thru lane and landscaping.
If the restaurant opens, it would be the first Wendy’s in Greater Manchester. Wendy’s currently lists 48 UK locations on its official UK restaurant finder, including sites in places such as Liverpool, Leeds, Blackpool, Sheffield, Hull, Derby and Newcastle upon Tyne. The chain, which is best known for its burgers, chicken sandwiches, nuggets, fries and desserts, has been expanding across the UK since returning to the British market.
© Wendy’s
The company says it has more than 7,000 restaurants across more than 30 markets and US territories and describes itself as a global quick-service restaurant brand with a focus on international growth.
The Sale site has been empty since TGI Fridays closed in October 2024. The Cross Street restaurant was one of 35 TGI Fridays sites to close with immediate effect after the chain accepted a rescue deal.
The new Wendy’s proposal would bring a major new name to the former restaurant unit, while also changing the way the site operates because of the planned drive-thru lane.
The application can be viewed on Trafford Council’s planning portal by searching for reference 119481/CND/26.
Life in Sale has reached out to Wendy’s for comment.
