New Wendy's restaurant opens in Springfield

Springfield-based restaurant franchisee Hamra Enterprises LLC has opened a new store in its hometown.

The company's Wendy's franchise restaurant at 525 S. National Ave. opened for business today, according to a news release. The restaurant replaces a former Burger King near Missouri State University.

“Springfield has been our home since we began our long-standing partnership with Wendy’s, with our first restaurant opening 48 years ago on West Sunshine Street,” said Mike Hamra, CEO of Hamra Enterprises, in the release. "We are thrilled to continue our commitment to our guests and communities with the opening of a new Wendy’s restaurant in Springfield."

The 3,550-square-foot Wendy's restaurant employs 34, said Eve Metheny, vice president of marketing for Hamra Enterprises. Ozark-based Northstar Construction Services LLC served as general contractor for the renovation project designed by Marshalltown, Iowa-based Wertzberger Architects PC, Metheny said.

The building is owned by Hamra Gateway LLC, according to Greene County assessor records. The project cost was previously undisclosed by the company.

Hamra Enterprises operates roughly 200 restaurants in around a dozen states under the Panera Bread, Wendy’s and Noodle & Co. brands, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. The release indicates Hamra Enterprises has more than 7,500 employees.