Wendy’s Plans To Close Hundreds Of U.S. Locations By Mid-2026
Wendy’s will continue trimming its U.S. footprint through the first half of 2026, with the company confirming plans to close between 5% and 6% of its restaurants as part of an ongoing turnaround effort.
The fast-food chain reiterated that the closures stem from a restructuring plan outlined late last year, which calls for shutting down hundreds of underperforming locations. During the company’s most recent earnings call, interim CEO Ken Cook said 28 restaurants were closed in the fourth quarter alone.
Wendy’s ended the year with 5,969 locations across the United States, according to its earnings report. Cook said decisions to close stores have been made in collaboration with franchise operators, allowing them to redirect resources toward locations with stronger long-term profit potential.
The company has not released a list of stores slated for closure.
Sales Slump Pressures Turnaround Strategy
The closures come as Wendy’s struggles with declining sales. U.S. same-store sales fell 11.3% in the final quarter of 2025, marking another period of contraction. For the full year, comparable sales were down 5.6%, underscoring ongoing challenges for the brand.
Cook acknowledged that Wendy’s had leaned too heavily on limited-time promotional offers, a strategy he said failed to deliver sustained growth. The company is now shifting its focus toward everyday affordability, particularly through changes to its value menu.
Betting On Value And Core Menu Items
In January, Wendy’s expanded its Biggie lineup with new price tiers, including a $4 Biggie Bites option, a $6 Biggie Bag, and an $8 Biggie Bundle. The company hopes the expanded offerings will resonate with price-conscious customers who are cutting back on discretionary spending, including dining out, amid persistent inflation.
Wendy’s has also pointed to early success with newer menu items. Cook said the chain’s chicken tenders, branded as “Tendys,” have performed well despite broader sales declines.
As Wendy’s works to stabilize traffic and profitability, the company is betting that a leaner store base and a sharper focus on value will help reverse its recent downturn.
