Copyright Mechanicsburg Patriot News
This is sure to catch the attention of Wendy’s fans all over and can be seen as a reflection of the times we’re in. The longtime fast food favorite is planning to close hundreds of stores. This is all happening a year after shuttering 140 locations, due to underperformance issues. According to Interim CEO Ken Cook’s announcement on Nov. 7, investors were told in a quarterly earnings call that Wendy’s intends to close a “mid single-digit percentage” of locations. So, with around 6,000 locations still up and running nationwide, this would equal out to the shuttering of about 240 to 360 stores. Falling into that range, one investor estimated during the call that the number could land at about 300 locations, according to multiple outlets, including USA Today. “When we look at the system today, we have some restaurants that do not elevate the brand and are a drag from a franchisee financial performance perspective,” Cook noted. “The goal is to address and fix those restaurants.” In a few of those cases, some improvements to technology or equipment will be completed, or locations will be transferred to new operators. But for others, Cook said those locations will be closed all together. Per Cook, closures are expected to kickoff in the fourth quarter of this year and continue into 2026, as a list of exact locations that are set to close has yet to be announced. “These actions will strengthen the system and enable franchisees to invest more capital and resources in their remaining restaurants,” Cook said. “Closures of underperforming units are expected to boost sales and profitability at nearby locations.”
