Wendy’s Chairman and CEO Dies; Founder Thomas to Serve in Interim

Gordon Teter, chairman and chief executive of No. 3 U.S. hamburger chain Wendy’s International Inc., died Sunday at his home in a Columbus, Ohio, suburb. He was 56.

Dublin, Ohio-based Wendy’s said Teter died of natural causes, though the exact cause will be determined by a medical examiner. He lived in Powell.

A committee has been formed to search for a successor, and founder Dave Thomas, who has been senior chairman, will serve as chairman in the interim. Teter’s duties will be divided among Jack Schuessler, president of Wendy’s U.S. operations; Chief Financial Officer Frederick R. Reed; and Paul House, president of Wendy’s Tim Hortons unit.

“Gordon was a great friend and a tremendous leader,” Thomas said in a statement.

Teter joined Wendy’s in 1987 as executive vice president, with more than 20 years’ experience in the franchise-restaurant industry, working for franchises including Red Robin, Casa Lupita and Ponderosa. After joining the Wendy’s board in 1990, he became president and chief operating officer in 1991, followed by a promotion to CEO in 1995, the same year he helped finalize a merger between Wendy’s and Tim Hortons, a Canadian chain of bakery and coffee shops.

In 1997, he was given the added title of chairman, while Thomas, the public face of Wendy’s in numerous television commercials, continued as senior chairman.

Founded in 1969, the company operates 5,400 Wendy’s restaurants worldwide and about 1,700 Tim Hortons in North America.

Teter was born in Lawrence, Ind., and received an undergraduate degree and master’s degree in business administration from Purdue University. He was named captain and most valuable player of Purdue’s baseball team and selected for the All Big Ten Academic football team.

He is survived by his daughter, Molly; his mother, Bonnie; and a brother, Jim. Funeral arrangements are pending.