Just in time for the rush of last-second Christmas shoppers, a new Wendy’s restaurant has opened up near the Selma Mall.

The location, at 1790 AL Hwy 14 East, features a modern design and replaces a Wendy’s restaurant that recently closed on Highland Avenue.

Sonya Jewell, director of strategic initiatives at the Wendy’s Company, was at the restaurant Thursday and said the new floor plan will be the standard design used in new Wendy’s locations.

“It’s really kicked in this year, and moving forward this will be the thumbprint as they are making new builds,” Jewell said. “They’ve built a few and have found out what works and what doesn’t. The menu will stay the same, the layout is the most visible difference.”

The new restaurant features a contemporary deign with large windows, bright dining areas, flat-screen TV’s, Wi-Fi and a fireplace. It also boasts a Coca-Cola Freestyle soft-drink dispenser which offers over 100 flavors for customers to mix.

Jewell said the modern look to both the storefront’s interior and exterior isn’t the only change she hopes customers notice when getting a hamburger from the drive-thru or a cup of chili at the counter.

“This is called an image activation, but we are also doing a people activation,” Jewell said. “It’s very important to get the right people in the store for customer service. We have a lot of new hires and new faces. We basically have a whole new crew out here and they are ready to serve the people of Selma.”

The Wendy’s Company is the world’s third largest quick-service hamburger company. The Wendy’s restaurant system includes more than 6,500 franchise and Company restaurants in the United States and 27 countries and U.S. territories worldwide.

In a press release, the Wendy’s Company said the new restaurant would employs nearly 60 area residents, several more than at the previous location.