BUCKHANNON – The local Wendy’s isn’t going anywhere, but its owners, James and Debbie Huber, plan to enjoy some well-earned respite.
In a press release on Monday, the Hubers, longtime Buckhannon and Upshur County residents, announced their retirement from Wendy’s effective March 2. Another franchise organization, Primary Aim LLC, will take the reins of the Buckhannon restaurant.
James Huber has more than 44 years of Wendy’s experience, alongside his wife, Debbie Huber, who has over three decades of experience in the restaurant service industry.
In a joint statement, the Hubers expressed their appreciation for the company.
“Wendy’s has been so good to us and we are leaving the business in very capable and responsible hands — Primary Aim LLC, owned by the Thompson brothers,” the statement says. “We are grateful to the local community and appreciate all of our customers!”
Primary Aim is owned by three brothers – Ben, Tim and Steve Thompson – who recently purchased the Wendy’s in Buckhannon.
In the press release, franchisee Tim Thompson said he’s excited to have acquired the Buckhannon restaurant.
“We are excited about this opportunity in Buckhannon and want to thank James and Debbie Huber, the former owners, for their leadership within the Wendy’s system for over 40 years,” Thompson said in the release. “We will be keeping all of the current employees and are actually hiring with the implementation of breakfast.”
Primary Aim LLC owns 72 Wendy’s locations throughout West Virginia, Ohio and the Pittsburgh area, with the closest ones located in Clarksburg, Fairmont and Morgantown, Tim Thompson told My Buckhannon via telephone Monday.
Primary Aim plans to keep all current employees and may add several more with the rollout of the new Wendy’s breakfast menu. March 2 is the national media launch day for Wendy’s breakfast menu – and so far, so good, Thompson said.
“That was actually coincidental that [we gained ownership] the same day as the breakfast rollout,” he said. “We had set this up prior, but we are also just so excited about breakfast. The customers have been reacting very well and love the food and we’re selling a ton of items, especially the Frosty-ccino.”
A ‘Frosty-ccino’ is cold brew coffee that’s blended with nonfrozen frosty mix, Thompson said.
“It’s been very popular,” he said. “It’s a unique product that has fewer calories than a lot of the iced coffee sold by our competitors.”
Thompson said Primary Aim plans to utilize local vendors as much as possible.
“We are thrilled to be in Buckhannon,” he said. “It’s a nice little town, and I really enjoy it.”
In February, Wendy’s announced on its website that it would officially launch its revamped breakfast menu nationwide Monday, March 2.
“Today Wendy’s announced that, on March 2, fans can say goodbye to their tired, old, stale breakfast and instead get their hands on a selection of fresh, craveable, bold new morning options,” the news release says. “From fresh, hand-cracked eggs on every sandwich, to savory Applewood smoked bacon, Wendy’s breakfast menu brings a fresh twist to familiar flavors and pays homage to Wendy’s fan favorites – featuring items like the Breakfast Baconator, Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit and Frosty-ccino. Breakfast will never be the same.”
