By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The south Hays Wendy’s restaurant, 1800 Vine, has now been open nearly a week following a 4-week, 2-day closure for a major remodel.

“It’s required by the Wendy’s company, but it’s also something you commit to for a market,” said David Gallentine, district manager. “You want to keep your facilities up to date and that’s what we’re doing.”

Gallentine was busy last Tuesday morning, talking with the electric contractor and sign company whose employees were scrambling to meet Gallentine’s deadline for a “soft” re-opening the next day. A formal grand opening and ribbon cutting will be scheduled in the near future.

New booths, tables and chairs were pushed into a corner of the dining area, still covered in plastic. The air was filled with the sounds of drills, hammers and buzzing saws as electrical workers perched on ladders worked above the ceiling tiles. Outdoors, the landscapers were moving decorative garden elements across the property, while finishing touches were added to signage.

Picnic tables have been placed on the patio in front of the building for alfresco dining during warm weather.

The new interior features a cozy corner fireplace and big screen TV. A dining counter facing the large picture window has multiple charging stations and wi-fi.

“From ceiling to floor, everything inside is new, from the customer’s viewpoint, even the restrooms,” Gallentine said. The kitchen and back area remain the same.

“It’ll even be a whole different setup taking the customer’s order. You’ll be placing your order at one end of the cabinet and then you’ll be picking it up in another area,” he explained.

Customer ordering is also different outside and now features a double-lane drive-through. Wendy’s has always been a “drive-through-driven eating establishment, getting our customers in and out quickly,” according to Gallentine, and he likes that. “I’m not a patient person. I enjoy it being fast.”

Many Wendy’s restaurants now use the new design, according to Gallentine. “It allows the customer flow to work much better.”

The entrance/exit area onto Vine Street has been widened “so getting in and out is a whole lot easier.”

One thing that hasn’t changed is the core menu of fresh beef hamburgers, chicken, wraps, salads, and of course, the famous Frosty®. Seasonal and promotional items will be rotated in and out. Right now, customers can also choose the Premium Cod Fillet Sandwich and the Smoky Mushroom Bacon Cheeseburger.

The south Wendy’s opened in 2002 and was remodeled once before in 2011.

The first few days of the current remodel the store was able to remain open for business.

Even when the restaurant closed, “we used a lot of our crew members to help with the construction. I wanted to keep everybody employed and maintain work hours for our managers and crew members,” Gallentine said. The morning before the reopening, crew members were busy cleaning the kitchen area.

Much of the remodeling was done by local contractors. “We didn’t go outside of the community unless we absolutely had to get the construction done. We bought as much as we could locally. These are the people buying our hamburgers, and I wanted to give them the opportunity to do the work.”

The updated Wendy’s logo is visible throughout the restaurant, on its exterior and especially on the new sign near the street.

“I work with very good people and Wendy’s is a great brand. I don’t think it matters what you’re selling, whether it be hamburgers or shoes, being able to work with these young kids and make a difference in their lives, is the main reason I do the job,” Gallentine said.

“They say they’re aren’t any good kids out there. I highly disagree. The good kids are out there. It’s just fun to see them flourish and develop.”

Among the restaurant employees, about a third are high school students and another third are college students. The remaining employees are older, senior-age people. Gallentine has found that “it works really well to have that mix of ages working here.” The restaurant employs between 30 and 40 workers, most of whom are part-time.

Gallentine, based in Hays, also operates Wendy’s restaurants with Sunset Equities, Inc./We-Kan Inc. in Dodge City, Garden City, Scott City, Liberal, Larned, Great Bend, McPherson, Newton, Clay Center, Hillsboro and Lyons.

“This south Hays store was the first one I ever opened. It’s always kind of been my baby,” he smiled. “This will always be my favorite.”