What Happened Wendy’s Restaurants: 200-350 U.S. Units to Close by 2026

Wendy’s is closing hundreds of its restaurants across the United States as part of a major turnaround plan to strengthen its business. The fast-food chain confirmed that a “mid single-digit percentage” of its U.S. restaurants—around 200 to 350 locations—will shut down between 2025 and 2026.

The announcement came from interim CEO Ken Cook, who told analysts that the decision targets underperforming restaurants dragging down the company’s overall performance. These closures, he said, will allow franchisees to focus on stronger stores and reinvest resources into modernization and new menu items.

Wendy’s Closure Plan Explained

As of early 2025, Wendy’s operates roughly 6,000 restaurants in the United States. According to Cook, the company has identified a “mid single-digit percentage” of those units that are underperforming. In business terms, that represents roughly 200 to 350 closures.

The closures are expected to begin this year and continue through 2026. Cook explained that this move is meant to “strengthen the system and enable franchisees to invest more capital and resources in their remaining restaurants.”

While Wendy’s has not disclosed which exact locations will shut down, Cook emphasized that these closures will primarily involve stores that consistently fail to meet sales expectations. He also mentioned that this action will likely improve profitability at nearby stores that are performing well.

This comes one year after Wendy’s shut down about 140 U.S. locations, citing similar issues with underperformance. The latest move signals a deeper restructuring effort as the company tries to keep up with fast-food rivals like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Shake Shack—all of which reported positive earnings while Wendy’s U.S. same-store sales dropped 4.7% last quarter.

Why Wendy’s Is Closing Restaurants

Wendy’s leadership said the closures are part of a broader effort to streamline operations and refocus on profitable growth areas. The company has been struggling to keep pace with aggressive promotions and digital engagement from competitors, and the closures are seen as a necessary correction.

However, Wendy’s is also seeing bright spots in its menu strategy. Cook noted that the newly launched chicken tenders—nicknamed “Tendys”—have been selling out at several locations even before advertising campaigns began. The chain plans to build on that early success as it repositions itself in the chicken category, historically a strong performer for fast-food chains.

Wendy’s believes closing weak stores will not only improve its balance sheet but also free up franchise owners to invest in restaurant renovations, technology upgrades, and customer experience improvements. The company expects to see measurable benefits in both sales and customer satisfaction as a result.

What This Means for Customers and the Fast-Food Industry

The closures will impact certain communities where Wendy’s has maintained a long-standing presence, though no specific regions have been confirmed. For customers, the immediate effect may be fewer local Wendy’s options, but the company hopes the overall dining experience at surviving locations will improve.

Industry analysts say Wendy’s move mirrors a broader fast-food trend: closing weaker units to make stronger ones more profitable. The same strategy has been used by McDonald’s and Starbucks in recent years to optimize store networks amid rising costs and shifting consumer habits.

In short, the Wendy’s closure plan represents a calculated restructuring rather than a brand retreat. The company aims to emerge leaner, more efficient, and better positioned to compete in a crowded fast-food market.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Why is Wendy’s closing so many restaurants?

The company is targeting underperforming stores that are hurting overall profitability. The closures will allow investment in stronger restaurants and new menu growth.

Q2: How many Wendy’s locations are closing?

Between 200 and 350 Wendy’s restaurants across the U.S. will close by the end of 2026, according to interim CEO Ken Cook.

Q3: When will the closures happen?

The closures are scheduled to begin in late 2025 and continue throughout 2026, as part of Wendy’s two-year restructuring plan.

Q4: Will Wendy’s open new restaurants while closing others?

Yes. The company plans to open new modernized locations in select markets while shutting down outdated and low-performing units.

Q5: Are international Wendy’s locations affected?

No. The closures only apply to U.S. restaurants. International locations are not included in the plan.