New York Times – In December, John T. Schuessler, the chief executive of Wendy’s International, declined to meet with the billionaire investor Nelson Peltz, who was pressing for major changes at the struggling company.
Yesterday evening, Wendy’s announced that Trian Fund Management, the hedge fund controlled by Mr. Peltz and his longtime partner, Peter W. May, would be given three seats on Wendy’s board.
The agreement to work together  or at least move arguments about strategy to the relative privacy of the boardroom  highlights a growing interest by investors in the fast food industry.
In just the last several months, three private equity firms bought the Dunkin’ Donuts chain and the parent of Burger King announced plans for its first public stock offering. In addition, McDonald’s took the Chipotle Mexican Grill public; it also agreed to sell 1,500 of its restaurants after pressure from a hedge fund.
