Wendys is closing hundreds of restaurants

Published: Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 2:00 am

Wendy's to Shutter Hundreds of US Locations in Turnaround Plan

NEW YORK - Wendy's is planning a significant restructuring, announcing the closure of hundreds of its restaurants across the United States. Interim CEO Ken Cook revealed on Friday that a mid single-digit percentage of the chain's approximately 6,000 US locations will be affected. This translates to roughly 200 to 350 restaurants slated for closure.

The closures are targeted at underperforming locations that are negatively impacting the overall performance of the fast-food giant. The company anticipates that these closures will begin this year and continue through 2026. Wendy's believes this strategic move will strengthen the remaining restaurants and allow franchisees to invest more capital and resources into their operations. The company expects that closing underperforming units will boost sales and profitability at nearby locations. A specific list of the affected locations has not been released.

This latest round of closures follows a similar move last year, when Wendy's shuttered 140 locations, also citing underperformance. The company is seeking to revitalize its business after reporting another challenging quarter. US same-store sales declined by 4.7%, while competitors like McDonald's, Burger King, and Shake Shack reported positive earnings, benefiting from successful marketing and promotional strategies.

Despite the overall downturn, Wendy's is seeing positive results from its recently launched chicken tenders, called Tendys. The demand for the new product was so strong that some restaurants sold out even before advertising campaigns began. The company is optimistic about building on this momentum and re-establishing its leadership position in the chicken market.

BNN's Perspective: While the closure of hundreds of locations is a significant move, it appears to be a necessary step for Wendy's to streamline its operations and focus on its more successful units. The success of the new chicken tenders offers a glimmer of hope, but the company will need to execute its turnaround plan effectively to regain market share and profitability in a competitive fast-food landscape.

Keywords: Wendy's, restaurant closures, turnaround plan, Ken Cook, underperforming locations, same-store sales, chicken tenders, Tendys, fast food, business, financial performance, closures, US locations, profitability, marketing, sales.

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