<PAGE>   1
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned officer and/or
director of Wendy's International, Inc. (the "Company"), which is about to file
a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby constitutes and appoints
Frederick R. Reed, Leon M. McCorkle, Jr. and Lawrence A. Laudick as his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K, any and all amendments and
documents related thereto, and to file the same, and all exhibits thereto, and
other documents relating thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and grants unto each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes
full power and authority to do each and every act and thing requested and
necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all
things that each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do and seek to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand
this 31st day of March, 2000.

                                   /s/ R. David Thomas
                                   -----------------------------------
                                   R. David Thomas, Senior Chairman of
                                   the Board & Founder, Director
<PAGE>   2
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned officer and/or
director of Wendy's International, Inc. (the "Company"), which is about to file
a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby constitutes and appoints
Frederick R. Reed, Leon M. McCorkle, Jr. and Lawrence A. Laudick as his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K, any and all amendments and
documents related thereto, and to file the same, and all exhibits thereto, and
other documents relating thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and grants unto each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes
full power and authority to do each and every act and thing requested and
necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all
things that each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do and seek to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand
this 31st day of March, 2000.

                                   /s/ Ronald V. Joyce
                                   -------------------------
                                   Ronald V. Joyce, Director
<PAGE>   3
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned officer and/or
director of Wendy's International, Inc. (the "Company"), which is about to file
a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby constitutes and appoints
Frederick R. Reed, Leon M. McCorkle, Jr. and Lawrence A. Laudick as his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K, any and all amendments and
documents related thereto, and to file the same, and all exhibits thereto, and
other documents relating thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and grants unto each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes
full power and authority to do each and every act and thing requested and
necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all
things that each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do and seek to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand
this 31st day of March, 2000.

                                   /s/ John T. Schuessler
                                   ------------------------------------------
                                   John T. Shuessler, Chief Executive Officer
                                   and President, Director
<PAGE>   4
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned officer and/or
director of Wendy's International, Inc. (the "Company"), which is about to file
a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby constitutes and appoints
Frederick R. Reed, Leon M. McCorkle, Jr. and Lawrence A. Laudick as his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K, any and all amendments and
documents related thereto, and to file the same, and all exhibits thereto, and
other documents relating thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and grants unto each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes
full power and authority to do each and every act and thing requested and
necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all
things that each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do and seek to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand
this 31st day of March, 2000.

                                   /s/ Ronald E. Musick
                                   ----------------------------------
                                   Ronald E. Musick,
                                   Executive Vice President, Director
<PAGE>   5
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned officer and/or
director of Wendy's International, Inc. (the "Company"), which is about to file
a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby constitutes and appoints
Frederick R. Reed, Leon M. McCorkle, Jr. and Lawrence A. Laudick as his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K, any and all amendments and
documents related thereto, and to file the same, and all exhibits thereto, and
other documents relating thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and grants unto each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes
full power and authority to do each and every act and thing requested and
necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all
things that each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do and seek to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand
this 31st day of March, 2000.

                                     /s/ Paul D. House
                                     -----------------------
                                     Paul D. House, Director
<PAGE>   6
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned officer and/or
director of Wendy's International, Inc. (the "Company"), which is about to file
a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby constitutes and appoints
Frederick R. Reed, Leon M. McCorkle, Jr. and Lawrence A. Laudick as his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K, any and all amendments and
documents related thereto, and to file the same, and all exhibits thereto, and
other documents relating thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and grants unto each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes
full power and authority to do each and every act and thing requested and
necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all
things that each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do and seek to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand
this 31st day of March, 2000.

                                   /s/ Lawrence A. Laudick
                                   -------------------------------------------
                                   Lawrence A. Laudick
                                   Senior Vice President, General Controller &
                                   Assistant Secretary
<PAGE>   7
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned officer and/or
director of Wendy's International, Inc. (the "Company"), which is about to file
a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby constitutes and appoints
Frederick R. Reed, Leon M. McCorkle, Jr. and Lawrence A. Laudick as his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K, any and all amendments and
documents related thereto, and to file the same, and all exhibits thereto, and
other documents relating thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and grants unto each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes
full power and authority to do each and every act and thing requested and
necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all
things that each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do and seek to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand
this 31st day of March, 2000.

                                   /s/ Ernest S. Hayeck
                                   --------------------------
                                   Ernest S. Hayeck, Director
<PAGE>   8
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned officer and/or
director of Wendy's International, Inc. (the "Company"), which is about to file
a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby constitutes and appoints
Frederick R. Reed, Leon M. McCorkle, Jr. and Lawrence A. Laudick as his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K, any and all amendments and
documents related thereto, and to file the same, and all exhibits thereto, and
other documents relating thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and grants unto each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes
full power and authority to do each and every act and thing requested and
necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all
things that each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do and seek to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand
this 31st day of March, 2000.

                                        /s/ Janet Hill
                                        --------------------
                                        Janet Hill, Director
<PAGE>   9
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned officer and/or
director of Wendy's International, Inc. (the "Company"), which is about to file
a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby constitutes and appoints
Frederick R. Reed, Leon M. McCorkle, Jr. and Lawrence A. Laudick as his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K, any and all amendments and
documents related thereto, and to file the same, and all exhibits thereto, and
other documents relating thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and grants unto each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes
full power and authority to do each and every act and thing requested and
necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all
things that each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do and seek to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand
this 31st day of March, 2000.

                                        /s/ Thomas F. Keller
                                        --------------------------
                                        Thomas F. Keller, Director
<PAGE>   10
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned officer and/or
director of Wendy's International, Inc. (the "Company"), which is about to file
a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby constitutes and appoints
Frederick R. Reed, Leon M. McCorkle, Jr. and Lawrence A. Laudick as his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K, any and all amendments and
documents related thereto, and to file the same, and all exhibits thereto, and
other documents relating thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and grants unto each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes
full power and authority to do each and every act and thing requested and
necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all
things that each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do and seek to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand
this 31st day of March, 2000.

                                        /s/ True H. Knowles
                                        -------------------------
                                        True H. Knowles, Director
<PAGE>   11
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned officer and/or
director of Wendy's International, Inc. (the "Company"), which is about to file
a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby constitutes and appoints
Frederick R. Reed, Leon M. McCorkle, Jr. and Lawrence A. Laudick as his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K, any and all amendments and
documents related thereto, and to file the same, and all exhibits thereto, and
other documents relating thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and grants unto each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes
full power and authority to do each and every act and thing requested and
necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all
things that each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do and seek to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand
this 31st day of March, 2000.

                                        /s/ Andrew G. McCaughey
                                        -----------------------------
                                        Andrew G. McCaughey, Director
<PAGE>   12
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned officer and/or
director of Wendy's International, Inc. (the "Company"), which is about to file
a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby constitutes and appoints
Frederick R. Reed, Leon M. McCorkle, Jr. and Lawrence A. Laudick as his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K, any and all amendments and
documents related thereto, and to file the same, and all exhibits thereto, and
other documents relating thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and grants unto each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes
full power and authority to do each and every act and thing requested and
necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all
things that each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do and seek to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand
this 31st day of March, 2000.

                                        /s/ Fielden B. Nutter, Sr.
                                        --------------------------------
                                        Fielden B. Nutter, Sr., Director
<PAGE>   13
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned officer and/or
director of Wendy's International, Inc. (the "Company"), which is about to file
a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby constitutes and appoints
Frederick R. Reed, Leon M. McCorkle, Jr. and Lawrence A. Laudick as his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K, any and all amendments and
documents related thereto, and to file the same, and all exhibits thereto, and
other documents relating thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and grants unto each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes
full power and authority to do each and every act and thing requested and
necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all
things that each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do and seek to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand
this 31st day of March, 2000.

                                        /s/ James V. Pickett
                                        --------------------------
                                        James V. Pickett, Director
<PAGE>   14
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned officer and/or
director of Wendy's International, Inc. (the "Company"), which is about to file
a Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby constitutes and appoints
Frederick R. Reed, Leon M. McCorkle, Jr. and Lawrence A. Laudick as his or her
true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K, any and all amendments and
documents related thereto, and to file the same, and all exhibits thereto, and
other documents relating thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and grants unto each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes
full power and authority to do each and every act and thing requested and
necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all
things that each of said attorneys-in-fact and substitute or substitutes may
lawfully do and seek to be done by virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand
this 31st day of March, 2000.

                                        /s/ Thekla R. Shackelford
                                        -------------------------------
                                        Thekla R. Shackelford, Director