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Wendy’s to Close 200–350 U.S. Restaurants Through 2026 Under Turnaround Plan

The move targets underperforming units to redirect franchisee investment under Project Fresh.

Overview

  • Closures will roll out case by case starting this year, with management working with franchisees on fixes before shuttering.
  • Leadership says the targeted locations are consistently underperforming, with expected benefits to sales and profitability at nearby restaurants.
  • U.S. same-restaurant sales fell 4.7% in the latest quarter as value-focused competitors posted growth, highlighting ongoing domestic pressure.
  • The company has not released a list of affected stores, and some sites may be upgraded or transferred to new operators instead of closing.
  • Early demand for new “Tendys” chicken tenders and continued international expansion provide partial offsets to U.S. weakness.