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Wendy’s has announced plans to shut down hundreds of restaurants across the United States as part of a major effort to improve its business performance. Interim CEO Ken Cook said on Friday that between 200 and 350 locations could close, roughly a mid-single-digit percentage of its 6,000 US outlets. Cook said that the closures will focus on restaurants that have been “consistently underperforming” and hurting the brand’s overall sales. These closures are set to begin this year and continue through 2026. “These actions will strengthen the system and enable franchisees to invest more in their remaining restaurants,” Cook said. Wendy’s believes that shutting down weaker locations will help nearby outlets perform better by improving efficiency and profitability. While no list of affected stores has been released yet, the move follows last year’s closure of 140 restaurants for similar reasons. The fast-food chain is facing tough competition from rivals like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Shake Shack, all of which reported positive growth in recent quarters. Wendy’s, meanwhile, saw US same-store sales drop 4.7%, signaling a need for major change. Despite the decline, Wendy’s recently saw a surge in demand for its new chicken tenders, called “Tendys.” Cook said some locations sold out even before official ads began. “We’re encouraged by the response,” he said, noting that Wendy’s hopes to rebuild its reputation in the chicken market.
