US Burger Giant Wendy’s Proposes Flagship Venue in Brisbane CBD

American fast-food giant Wendy’s is set to open its first Brisbane restaurant at the high-profile intersection of Adelaide and Albert Streets, marking a significant milestone in its Australian expansion. The proposed development, lodged with Brisbane City Council, involves façade upgrades and an internal fit-out of the two-storey commercial building previously occupied by Bupa. The new venue aims to revitalise the corner of Queen Street Mall and Albert Street with a flagship food and drink outlet.

Wendy’s, renowned for its square hamburgers re-entered the Australian market in early 2025 with its first location opening on Cavill Avenue in Surfers Paradise. That launch marked the brand’s return to the country after a decades-long absence. Now under the stewardship of Flynn Restaurant Group, Wendy’s has ambitions to open 200 stores across Australia by 2034.

The Brisbane CBD location will be Wendy’s second in Queensland and its first in the state capital. Its central location places it in direct competition with established fast-food operators in the CBD. Wendy’s APAC President Richard Wallis noted Brisbane’s importance to the chain’s regional growth strategy, citing the city’s population growth and dynamic food scene as key drivers.

The development application proposes a series of façade upgrades to the ground and first floor levels of the existing commercial building, with the tenancy addressing Adelaide Street, Albert Street, and Queen Street Mall. The plans incorporate operable windows to promote indoor-outdoor integration, in keeping with Brisbane’s subtropical design guidelines. Internal-facing planters at window height are also proposed, along with integrated lighting and signage.

According to the applicant, the design intends to create a continuous and engaging street frontage, contributing to the vibrancy and walkability of the Queen Street Mall precinct. The proposal includes kinetic tile panels on the first floor which introduce depth and movement to the façade. These tiles are spaced to allow for visibility from inside the tenancy while maintaining an eye-catching external finish. The awning itself is to be upgraded with a consistent design approach, integrating lighting features and enhancing visibility and comfort for passing pedestrians.

Project rundown

The proposed layout includes a ground floor ordering counter with the majority of the dining space situated upstairs on the first floor. This arrangement allows the ground level to remain open and engaging to the street, while providing a more spacious and elevated dining experience above.

According to the plans, patrons would order at street level before making their way upstairs via an internal staircase to a dedicated dining area overlooking Queen Street Mall and Adelaide Street. This split-level configuration supports both operational efficiency and a layered, active frontage at ground level.

The project does not seek to increase building height, site cover, or gross floor area, with all work confined to existing basement and ground floor tenancies. Access, servicing, and car parking arrangements will remain unchanged. No street trees are affected, and the façade works will remain within the property boundary, minimising disruption to foot traffic during construction. A minor construction management plan would likely be conditioned by Council as part of any development approval.

The site falls within the Principal Centre Zone and City Centre Neighbourhood Plan’s Retail Precinct (NPP-001), which encourages active street edges, fine-grain retail, and enhanced pedestrian experience. The proposal has been lodged via the RiskSMART code assessment pathway, indicating a low-risk, compliant development that aligns with Council’s intent for the area.

Plans