"wendys anniversary" news and stories

This year has been one of 40th anniversary celebrations. Woodstock, the NASA moonwalk and Sesame Street have all been commemorated as watershed moments in American history and popular culture in 2009.

But another iconic American institution has been celebrating its 40th with little fanfare. Wendy's fast food burger chain will officially turn 40 on Nov. 15; the day founder Dave Thomas opened his first restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. So why are they being so quiet about it?

On the company's Web site there's no mention of the anniversary and its television commercials avoid any reference to the big 40.

Kitty Munger, Wendy's director of communications, says the company decided it didn't want a flashy national campaign that would call attention to the anniversary.