Overview
- Interim CEO Ken Cook told investors the chain will close a single-digit percentage of its roughly 6,011 U.S. restaurants, with reporting estimating about 200–350 locations.
- Closures will begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 and run through 2026 as units are evaluated for permanent shutdowns, remodels, transfers to new franchisees, or technology upgrades.
- Management characterizes the plan as a system optimization aimed at concentrating capital in stronger stores and improving margins after a sustained slowdown.
- Comparable sales fell about 4.7% in Q3 2025 and visits dropped 9.9% in September, while value-focused competitors such as Chili's have pressured Wendy's with lower-priced offers, according to industry data.
- Shares dropped following the announcement, and coverage indicates international franchise markets are not currently included in the U.S.-focused cuts.