Wendy’s (NASDAQ: WEN) appoints Aaron Kale as new Chief Accounting Officer

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

FAQ

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

8-K Event Classification

Key Figures

Key Terms

What executive change did The Wendy’s Company (WEN) disclose?

When will Suzanne M. Thuerk leave her role at The Wendy’s Company (WEN)?

Who is Aaron M. Kale, the new Chief Accounting Officer at The Wendy’s Company (WEN)?

What experience does Aaron M. Kale bring to his new role at The Wendy’s Company (WEN)?

When does Aaron M. Kale’s appointment as principal accounting officer of The Wendy’s Company (WEN) become effective?

Filing Impact

(Moderate)

Filing Sentiment

(Neutral)

Form Type

8-K

The Wendy’s Company reported a leadership change in its accounting function. Chief Accounting Officer and principal accounting officer Suzanne M. Thuerk notified the company on June 4, 2026 of her intention to resign to pursue an opportunity outside the restaurant space.

On June 7, 2026, Aaron M. Kale, then Vice President – Tax, was appointed Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President – Tax, serving as principal accounting officer effective June 8, 2026. Ms. Thuerk will remain in a non-executive role until July 10, 2026 to support a smooth transition.

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Resignation notice date: June 4, 2026 Appointment date: June 7, 2026 Effective date of new role: June 8, 2026 +3 more

6 metrics

Resignation notice date June 4, 2026 Date Suzanne M. Thuerk notified the company of her intention to resign

Appointment date June 7, 2026 Date Aaron M. Kale was appointed Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President – Tax

Effective date of new role June 8, 2026 Effective date of Aaron M. Kale serving as principal accounting officer

Transition end date July 10, 2026 Date through which Suzanne M. Thuerk will remain in a non-executive capacity

Age of new CAO 49 years Age of Aaron M. Kale as disclosed in the filing

Service as VP – Tax Since April 2019 Period Aaron M. Kale has served as Vice President – Tax

Chief Accounting Officer, principal accounting officer, Vice President – Tax, certified public accountant, +1 more

5 terms

Chief Accounting Officer financial

"Suzanne M. Thuerk, Chief Accounting Officer (principal accounting officer) of The Wendy’s Company"

A chief accounting officer is a senior executive responsible for overseeing a company's financial records and ensuring all accounting practices are accurate and compliant with regulations. They play a key role in preparing financial reports that help investors understand the company's financial health, much like a trusted navigator guiding a ship through complex waters. Their work ensures transparency and trust in the company's financial information.

principal accounting officer financial

"Chief Accounting Officer (principal accounting officer) of The Wendy’s Company"

The Principal Accounting Officer is the person responsible for making sure a company's financial records are accurate and follow the rules. They play a key role in preparing financial reports that show how well the company is doing. This helps investors, managers, and regulators trust the company's financial information.

Vice President – Tax financial

"Aaron M. Kale, currently Vice President – Tax, was appointed as the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer"

certified public accountant financial

"Mr. Kale is a certified public accountant."

A certified public accountant (CPA) is a licensed accounting professional who has passed rigorous exams and met education and experience requirements to prepare, review, and officially certify financial statements and tax filings. For investors, a CPA's involvement is like a neutral referee confirming that a company's reported numbers are accurate and follow accounting rules, which improves trust in financial reports and lowers the risk of unexpected errors or misleading information.

public accounting financial

"and previously worked in public accounting with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP."

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Understanding 8-K Material Events →

06/09/2026 - 04:17 PM

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): June 4, 2026

THE WENDY’S COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant, as specified in its charter)

Delaware

1-2207

38-0471180

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)


One Dave Thomas Boulevard, Dublin, Ohio		43017
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(614) 764-3100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.10 par value	WEN	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On June 4, 2026, Suzanne M. Thuerk, Chief Accounting Officer (principal accounting officer) of The Wendy’s Company (the “Company”), provided notice to the Company of her intention to resign from the Company to pursue an opportunity outside the restaurant space.

In connection with the above, on June 7, 2026, Aaron M. Kale, currently Vice President – Tax, was appointed as the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President – Tax (principal accounting officer), effective as of June 8, 2026. Ms. Thuerk will remain with the Company in a non-executive capacity until July 10, 2026 to support the transition to Mr. Kale.

Mr. Kale, age 49, has served in his current position as Vice President – Tax since April 2019 and, since July 2025, has also been providing interim support and leadership to the Company’s accounting function. Mr. Kale joined the Company in July 2012, serving as Director – Global Income Tax Compliance from August 2017 to April 2019, Director – International and Property Tax from August 2014 to August 2017 and Director – International Tax from July 2012 to August 2014. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Kale held various positions in tax at L Brands, Inc. and previously worked in public accounting with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Mr. Kale is a certified public accountant.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

The Wendy’s Company disclosed that Chief Accounting Officer Suzanne M. Thuerk intends to resign. She will be succeeded by Aaron M. Kale, who becomes Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President – Tax, serving as the company’s principal accounting officer effective June 8, 2026.

Suzanne M. Thuerk notified the company of her intention to resign on June 4, 2026. She will remain with The Wendy’s Company in a non-executive capacity until July 10, 2026 to support the transition to incoming Chief Accounting Officer Aaron M. Kale.

Aaron M. Kale, age 49, is the new Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President – Tax. He has served as Vice President – Tax since April 2019 and previously held several tax leadership roles at the company after joining in July 2012. He is a certified public accountant.

Aaron M. Kale has led tax functions at The Wendy’s Company since 2012, including roles as Director – International Tax and Director – Global Income Tax Compliance. He previously worked in tax at L Brands, Inc. and in public accounting with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Aaron M. Kale was appointed Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President – Tax on June 7, 2026. His appointment as the company’s principal accounting officer is effective as of June 8, 2026, following the resignation notice from outgoing Chief Accounting Officer Suzanne M. Thuerk.

THE WENDY’S COMPANY

Date: June 9, 2026

/s/ Mark L. Johnson

Mark L. Johnson

Director – Corporate & Securities Counsel, and Assistant Secretary

3 documents