July 13, 2026 – West Bend, Wi – It was November 2025 when the announcement was first made nationally that Wendy’s CEO planned to close “about 200 to 350 stores of the chain’s roughly 6000 US locations.” Now, eight months later, that news has struck home in West Bend, Wi, with the closure of Wendy’s, 650 W. Paradise Drive.
A note, was hung in the window and drive-thru at the store in West Bend, WI, on Sunday, July 11, 2026, announcing it was closing permanently. “We appreciate your support of our West Bend location.”
In Washington County, WI, there is also a Wendy’s at N96w17600 County Line Road in Germantown. As of Sunday evening that business was still in operation.
It was October 2017 when a couple of fast-food properties on Paradise Drive in West Bend, WI were sold.
Records in the city assessor’s office show both properties on Paradise Drive, where Arby’s and Wendy’s are located have changed hands.
The Arby’s, 730 W. Paradise Drive originally opened in October 2004. The sale price to SWEP No. 2 LLC out of West Lake Village, California is $1,411,666. The 2017 assessed value was $832,300.
The Wendy’s next door, 650 W. Paradise Drive, opened in March 2005. It too sold to SWEP No. 2 LLC for $1.3 million. The 2017 assessed value was $837,000.
Then, almost a year to the day, Nov. 13, 2018, Arby’s and Wendy’s properties in West Bend sold again.
Records in the city assessor’s office show SWEP No. 2 LLC sold the property at 730 W. Paradise Drive (Arby’s) on Oct. 23, 2018 to Fountains Mobile Home Park LP. Sale price was $1,460,000. The 2018 assessed value $1,126,200.
The Wendy’s next door, show SWEP No. 2 LLC sold to Fountains Mobile Home Park LP on Oct. 22, 2018 for $1,340,000.
On a history note: Do you know where the first Wendy’s was in West Bend? And…. did we have an Arby’s too at one time?
Arby’s was in the Burger King spot and Wendy’s was across from Perkins which was a Rocky Rococos. The old Wendy’s was a Popeyes Fried Chicken back in the day.
The first Wendy’s was on West Washington street to the right of the entrance into the former Pick ‘n Save. Is now a title company, was a bank before that. Posted a picture at the WCI page.
There was an Arby’s on South Main – where Panara is. After Arby’s closed at that location, became a Burger King. Building torn down to make way for Panara.
Mark,do you also remember back in the early 80’s there was a Popeyes chicken where the Wendy’s was located on West Washington Street. I used to go there quite often until it closed.
Tim, I do… But I’m thinking Mid/Late 80’s… Wendy’s opened Mid 90’s?
David, I think you’re right it was the middle to late 80’s now that I think about it. I’m not sure how long Popeyes was open there though.
There was a Sambos near where Panera was as well.
Where was the first Burger King in West Bend located?