The shape of a new Wendy's restaurant is apparent now, as construction buzzes around the building, situated at the top of the hill at Manchester Road and Seven Trails Drive, the former site of a Rothman Furniture store.

"They have not set an official date yet but they are hoping to open it by year end," said Ballwin Mayor Tim Pogue. "It will be close. I have spoken with many residents and there is a lot of excitement over this new business to Ballwin."

Ballwin city planner Tom Aiken said the target date for the opening was Dec. 18, but had no update beyond that.

Developer Bill Biermann of W.B. Biermann in Chesterfield owns the property on which the restaurant is being built and the franchisee is leasing it back. He said he's astounded at how quickly the building is going up.

"They're shooting for opening in the middle of next month," he said. "They're really moving. I can't believe how fast they're moving on this thing."