Local officials helped celebrate the grand opening of Russellville’s newest restaurant Monday, one day ahead of the official opening of the Wendy’s franchise located in front of the Wal-Mart Supercenter on U.S. 43.

Carlisle Corp., which is based out of Memphis, Tenn., selected Russellville as the site of its first franchise in Alabama about seven years ago, but questions over franchise rights and other matters delayed the opening until this week.

“We are happy to be in Alabama and especially happy to be in Russellville,” said company president, Gene Carlisle.

The Russellville store is the company’s 120th franchise throughout the South.

Carlisle said the company projects to do about $1.8 to $2 million in sales annually.

“That will put a lot of tax money back in the community,” he said.

The Russellville store is one of the most modern in the franchise, complete with computer-operated equipment throughout the facility.

“With this equipment, all food is cooked at the exact temperatures and times that they need to be to make sure that our customers get the safest, best quality food that we can provide,” Carlisle said.

The facility also includes free wi-fi access and will have extended hours.

They will be open from 10 a.m. to midnight during the week and from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on the weekends.

“In the evenings, we are really a family place,” Carlisle said.

“You can come in and have a baked potato, chili, salad, a frosty, chicken, a hamburger, pretty much anything you want,” he said.

“We have a very healthy line of products that has something for everyone.”