Open for more than 50 years, Jacksonville’s first Wendy’s restaurant has closed.
In recent weeks, the nation’s No. 2 fast-food burger chain closed its location at 3910 University Blvd. W., where it had operated since January 1974.
The restaurant is no longer listed on Wendy’s website, and a state database of restaurant licenses shows that the location is closed.
In recent weeks, the Wendy’s at 3910 University Blvd. W. closed. Opened more than 50 years ago, the location was the first Wendy’s in Jacksonville.
Less than a decade ago, in 2017, the restaurant’s original building was demolished and replaced with a new building featuring the chain’s more modern design.
Located near the intersection with Powers Avenue, the Wendy’s restaurant shared the block with other longtime favorites KFC and Woody’s Bar-B-Q and relative newcomers Chick-fil-A and Chipotle Mexican Grill, both of which opened in 2021.
Coming soon: 26 restaurants are in the works in Jacksonville in 2026. See our list
More restaurant news: Sign up for Dining Notes, our free weekly newsletter
Other Wendy’s locations that have closed in Jacksonville
Owned by Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Wen South LLC, the closure follows two others in the last year for the franchise operator: 12911 Atlantic Blvd. and 7102 Bonneval Road. And in 2022, Wen South closed locations at 14447 Beach Blvd. and 4907 Big Island Drive, according to state records.
Jacksonville’s first Wendy’s restaurants: A look back at the 1974 openings
When it debuted in January 1974, the restaurant was the first of four Jacksonville Wendy’s locations to open that year, including restaurants at Main and Monroe (April), Cassat and Post (June) and Five Points (November).
Also closing: Popular St. Johns Town Center restaurant is closing after 15 years
An ad for the grand opening of a Wendy’s restaurant in The Florida Times-Union on April 7, 1974.
In a Jan. 19, 1974, ad in the Times-Union, Wendy’s introduced itself to Jacksonville diners: “Wendy’s would like to get to know you – and we’d like you to get to know the good flavor of Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers. Every Wendy’s hamburger is made of 100% pure beef that’s strictly fresh, never frozen. Each one is custom made to your order with your choice of catsup, onion, mustard, pickle, or relish. Wendy’s hamburgers are never pre-cooked, or pre-wrapped.”
That first restaurant included a “drive in window for fast service,” read the ad, which included coupons for some of the chain’s famous offering: Wendy’s Single Hamburger, Frosty, French Fries and its Secret Recipe Chili.
At each of the chain’s grand openings in Jacksonville that year, the first customers received a free silver dollar.
How many Wendy’s restaurants still operate in Northeast Florida?
With the closing of the University Boulevard West location, Wendy’s continues to operate 27 restaurants in Duval County, eight in St. Johns, two in Nassau and six in Clay, according to state records.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Wendy’s restaurant closes after more than 50 years