Company Says 298–358 Restaurants, About 5% To 6% Of Its U.S. Footprint, Are Expected To Shutter In The First Half Of 2026, following 240 Closures In 2024

Monday, February 16, 2026, 2:30 P.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Haylee Ficuciello, Economy & Finance Editor: Englebrook Independent News,

MORRISTOWN, NJ.- Wendy’s says it expects to close hundreds of U.S. restaurants in the first half of 2026, a move the company is framing as part of a broader turnaround plan after a sharp sales decline late last year and continued pressure on value-minded consumers.

The Dublin, Ohio-based burger chain told investors it expects to close about 5% to 6% of its U.S. restaurants, roughly 298 to 358 locations, during the first six months of 2026.

     The planned closures follow an earlier downsizing cycle. Wendy’s reported it already closed 28 restaurants in the fourth quarter of 2025 and ended the year with 5,969 U.S. locations.

Why Wendy’s Says It’s Closing Restaurants;

     Wendy’s executives have pointed to several overlapping drivers behind the decision:

• A steep, broad-based sales drop. In the October–December 2025 quarter, Wendy’s said global same-restaurant sales fell 10.1%, while U.S. same-restaurant sales fell 11.3%, marking one of the company’s sharpest quarterly declines in recent years.
• A reset toward “everyday value.” Interim Chief Executive Officer Ken Cook said the company learned in 2025 that it had relied too heavily on short-term promotions rather than a consistent value platform. Wendy’s has since shifted to a permanent, tiered pricing structure designed to appeal to cost-conscious consumers.
• An aging and underperforming store base. Wendy’s has described many of the affected locations as outdated or structurally inefficient, with corporate filings emphasizing “system optimization” as a key component of its turnaround strategy.

     In January, Wendy’s launched a permanent “Biggie Deals” value lineup with $4, $6, and $8 price tiers. Company leadership has also said new menu offerings, including a new chicken sandwich, are expected to roll out as part of the 2026 product pipeline.

Which States Are Affected;

     At this time, Wendy’s has not released a state-by-state breakdown of which locations will close. The company has also not published a comprehensive list of affected restaurants or regions.

     As a result, there is no verified list of impacted states available to the public. Wendy’s has confirmed only the scale and timing of the closures, stating that 298 to 358 U.S. restaurants are expected to shutter during the first half of 2026.

The Bigger Picture: A Turnaround, Not A Retreat;

     Wendy’s leadership has characterized the closures as part of “Project Fresh,” a multi-year initiative focused on brand revitalization, operational efficiency, capital discipline, and long-term profitability.

     In earnings materials, Wendy’s explicitly tied “system optimization” to the planned reduction in its U.S. footprint while highlighting investments in digital ordering, technology upgrades, and operational consistency.

     Despite domestic headwinds, Wendy’s continues to pursue international growth. The company reported 59 new international restaurant openings in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 121 net new international restaurants over the full year, with international systemwide sales outperforming the U.S. segment.

What Customers And Communities Should Watch Next;

     With no official closure list released, the first indications of local impacts are likely to emerge through franchise announcements, posted store notices, and changes to Wendy’s official store locator.

     At the corporate level, analysts and investors are expected to focus on:

• The pace of closures versus new openings in early 2026;
• Whether Wendy’s value-pricing strategy stabilizes customer traffic after late-2025 declines; and
• Whether operational and technology investments translate into improved restaurant-level performance.

Editor’s Note:

This article was written by Haylee Ficuciello, Economy & Finance Editor, and is based on Wendy’s investor communications and contemporaneous business reporting, including fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings materials released in February 2026. As of February 16, 2026, Wendy’s has not publicly released a verified list of specific restaurant locations or states affected by the first-half 2026 closures. Englebrook Independent News will continue monitoring disclosures and local filings as additional details become available.