Wendy's restaurant planned for Mitchell fast-food site's transformation

MITCHELL — Is it for real this time?

Once again, speculation of a Wendy’s opening in Mitchell is swirling. This time, the plans are in writing, right on the building's window.

A building permit at 1025 Cabela Drive has been issued by the city of Mitchell and indicated the permit is for a Wendys' restaurant. On Wednesday, May 1, a contractor working on the vacant building that previously housed a Hardee’s said the property is being remodeled to house a Wendy’s restaurant. Multiple contractors have been seen working on the building over the past month.

The site is the former location of the city's Hardee's restaurant.

City officials confirmed Wednesday that blueprints to remodel the Hardee's building into a Wendy's restaurant had been approved by the city's building inspector.

Property records also show the Hardee’s property was recently sold to a company that has a history of owning Wendy's properties.

According to Davison County property records, the former Hardee’s property was purchased on Dec. 5, 2023, roughly a month after Hardee’s shut down. The property sold for $1.1 million.

Sam Fosness / Mitchell Republic

The new owner of the property is WT Land Company, of Draper, Utah. The company has owned numerous Wendy’s properties in western states such as Idaho and Utah.

There are also job postings on numerous job websites that list 1025 Cabela Dr. as the work location. As of Wednesday, there were three job posts on Indeed.com for managerial roles at a Mitchell Wendy’s.

While there were blueprints submitted to the city in 2019 revealing plans for a proposed Wendy’s going up at 1101 E. Spruce St., nothing materialized.

Wendy’s officials have not yet responded to multiple requests about a new Mitchell location.

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South Dakota has seven Wendy’s restaurants currently operating with locations in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen and Yankton. A former Hardee's location in Brookings is currently being transformed into a Wendy's, as well.

Mitchell’s fast food options have been dwindling over the past year. In 2023, Burger King and Hardee’s abruptly shut down.

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