### Wendy's Announces Major Restaurant Closures Amidst Struggling Sales Wendy's, the popular fast-food chain, is set to close between **200 and 350** of its U.S. restaurants as part of a strategic restructuring plan aimed at improving overall performance. This decision comes after a challenging period marked by declining sales and changing consumer behaviors, with interim CEO Ken Cook emphasizing the need to address underperforming locations to enhance brand value and profitability. The closures are expected to take place by **2026**, following the shutdown of **140 locations** last year, indicating a significant shift in the company's operational strategy to focus on stronger outlets and drive long-term growth [https://www.newsweek.com/wendys-set-to-close-hundreds-of-us-restaurants-what-we-know-11015071][https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/wendys-restaurants-closing-earnings-b2861226.html]. ### Breakdown of Wendy's Closure Strategy 1. **Scope of Closures**: Wendy's plans to close **200 to 350** locations across the U.S. as part of its turnaround strategy [https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/wendys-to-shut-hundreds-more-outlets-in-us-after-closing-140-last-year-the-goal-is-to-11762565269115.html]. 2. **Reason for Closures**: The closures are primarily aimed at addressing underperforming restaurants that do not contribute positively to the brand's image and financial health [https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-buzz/is-wendys-planning-massive-restaurant-closures-heres-what-we-know-article-153118310]. 3. **Historical Context**: This move follows the closure of **140 locations** in the previous year, indicating a trend of downsizing in response to market pressures [https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/11/07/wendys-closing-hundreds-stores-2025/87146469007]. 4. **Future Outlook**: The company aims to enhance its overall sales and profitability by focusing on stronger, more viable locations, as part of its "Project Fresh" initiative [https://www.wqad.com/article/news/nation-world/wendys-close-locations-what-we-know/507-b614a93a-6216-4b39-9b4d-9c8854a61c11]. ### Supporting Data and Evidence - **Number of Locations**: Wendy's currently operates around **6,000** restaurants nationwide, making the planned closures a significant percentage of its total outlets [https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/11/07/wendys-closing-hundreds-stores-2025/87146469007]. - **Previous Closures**: The company closed **140** locations last year, indicating a proactive approach to managing its portfolio [https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/wendys-to-shut-hundreds-more-outlets-in-us-after-closing-140-last-year-the-goal-is-to-11762565269115.html]. - **Projected Timeline**: The closures are expected to begin in late **2025** and continue into **2026** [https://www.mondialnews.com/2025/11/07/wendys-to-close-nearly-300-stores-nationwide-beginning-late-2025]. ### Conclusion: Strategic Shift for Wendy's In summary, Wendy's is undertaking a significant restructuring effort by closing **200 to 350** underperforming restaurants to enhance its brand and financial performance. This decision reflects a broader trend in the fast-food industry as companies adapt to changing consumer preferences and economic conditions. The key points are as follows: 1. **Closure Plan**: Wendy's will close a substantial number of locations to focus on stronger outlets. 2. **Market Response**: The closures are a response to declining sales and changing customer behaviors. 3. **Future Strategy**: The company aims to improve profitability and brand value through this strategic shift. This restructuring is a critical step for Wendy's as it seeks to navigate the challenges of the fast-food market and position itself for future growth [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/wendys-restaurants-closing-earnings-b2861226.html][https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/wendys-to-shut-hundreds-more-outlets-in-us-after-closing-140-last-year-the-goal-is-to-11762565269115.html].