Wendy's Credit Card Breach Prompts Company Investigation: Report

By BRENDAN KRISEL (Patch National Staff)

Wendy’s is investigating a potential security breach after discovering a pattern of fraudulent charges on cards used at locations in late 2015, according to a report.

The global fast-food giant first received reports of the possible breach this month from payment industry contacts, reported KrebsOnSecurity, a blog that covers cybersecurity.

Wendy’s has a location in Manchester at Route 70 near the intersection with Route 530/539, as well as several other locations in Ocean and Monmouth counties.

“Reports indicate that fraudulent charges may have occurred elsewhere after the cards were legitimately used at some of our restaurants. We’ve hired a cybersecurity firm and launched a comprehensive and active investigation that’s underway to try to determine the facts,” Wendy’s spokesman Bob Bertini told the blog.

The Ohio-based restaurant group could not say how many people, or which branches, may be affected by the breach.

“We began investigating immediately, and the period of time we’re looking at the incidents is late last year,” Bertini told KrebsOnSecurity. “We know it’s [affecting] some restaurants but it’s not appropriate just yet to speculate on anything in terms of scope.”

Wendy’s, which operates 6,500 franchises and company-owned locations worldwide, would be one of the largest restaurant chains to experience a security breach, reported Restaurant Business Online.

Patch reached out to Wendy’s for comment, and we’ll let you know when we hear back.