One Of America's Biggest Fast Food Chains Is Closing Hundreds Of Restaurants
Fast food chains across the U.S. are facing challenges as consumer preferences shift towards healthier options and economic pressures increase. This tough environment has affected many well-known brands, including Wendy's.
In 2025, several major chains like Jack-in-the-Box and Starbucks have announced closures of hundreds of locations. Additionally, KFC, Del Taco, and Pizza Hut have all experienced declining sales. The trend follows a difficult 2024 for dine-in restaurant chains, with several going bankrupt within months of each other.
Wendy's Announcement on Store Closures
During the company's Q3 earnings call, interim CEO Ken Cook shared plans to close a "mid single-digit percentage" of Wendy's stores nationwide, reported by CNN.
- At the end of 2024, Wendy's had just over 5,900 U.S. stores.
- Closing a mid single-digit percentage suggests about 300 locations may shut down soon.
- Last year, the chain closed 140 locations as part of an earlier downsizing effort.
Cook emphasized that Wendy's overall business remains strong but identified a subset of underperforming stores that were impacting the brand negatively. The company plans to revamp some locations and incorporate new technology to boost sales in weaker markets.
"While not being overly specific, Cook says that Wendy's is looking to close a 'mid single-digit percentage' of its total stores." – CNN
"Cook expressed optimism that Wendy's as a whole is healthy, and that a smaller percentage of underperforming stores were dragging down the brand."
Wendy's strategy includes renovations and tech upgrades aimed at revitalizing the struggling sites and improving customer experience.
Author's summary: Wendy's plans to close around 300 locations amid industry-wide struggles, focusing on modernizing stores and shedding underperforming ones to maintain overall health.