Local franchise goes far in restaurant competition.

2007 will be a year to remember for one Santa Clarita Wendy’s franchise.  Its restaurant at 28180 Newhall Ranch Road emerged as one of the top four Wendy’s restaurants in the world in the first ever “Every Customer Counts” contest.  “It’s quite an honor,” explains franchise president Rob Montgomery.  “To be in the top four out of more than 6,700 restaurants throughout the world—it’s pretty special.”

Montgomery attributes the success of the restaurant to the staff and their manager, Camila Montenegro.  “She creates an atmosphere of fun that everyone responds to—employees and customers alike.”

The contest began early in the year with a local competition in which restaurants were judged on courtesy, speed, accuracy, quality, and cleanliness.  After qualifying for the divisional round, there was a regional, and finally a world-wide competition, which featured Wendy’s executives flying as far away as New Zealand to judge the finalists.

Montenegro received a Rolex watch, a vacation package, and an expense-paid trip to the upcoming Wendy’s convention in Orlando, Florida.  Each of her staff members also received prizes.