Wendy’s, the popular American burger chain, has decided to shut down hundreds of its restaurants across the US. The company said some of its locations were not doing well, especially in a time when many other businesses are also cutting costs and closing stores. This move made many people wonder if Wendy’s might be closing for good.

For now, that’s not the case. Interim CEO Ken Cook said in November 2025 that closing these restaurants will actually help the company become stronger. He explained that this will allow franchise owners to focus their money and effort on the restaurants that are still open, making them better and more profitable.

Cook also mentioned that some Wendy’s outlets weren’t performing up to the company’s standards and were pulling down the overall business. By shutting down those weaker ones, Wendy’s hopes to improve sales and strengthen its brand image.

In simple terms, the company isn’t shutting down completely. It’s just trying to clean up and focus on the stores that are doing well so that the entire brand can stay strong and profitable in the long run.

 

Is Wendy’s actually closing?

No, Wendy’s isn’t closing down completely. The company is only shutting some of its restaurants that haven’t been performing well. The CEO explained that this step is meant to help the brand focus on stronger locations and improve overall business.

Right now, Wendy’s has around 6,000 restaurants in total. The CEO mentioned that a “mid single-digit percentage” of these could close. That means somewhere between 200 and 350 restaurants are expected to shut down. The rest will continue operating as usual.

 

Why is Wendy’s closing down in these locations?

Wendy’s has decided to shut down hundreds of its restaurants because many of them have been performing poorly for a long time. Last year alone, about 140 Wendy’s locations were closed.

During an earnings call in August 2025, CEO Ken Cook admitted that the company wasn’t happy with its sales numbers. To address this and lift its falling stock value, Wendy’s launched a plan called “Project Fresh.” This new strategy focuses on refreshing the brand’s image, updating its menu, and improving marketing efforts.

In a press release, Wendy’s board chairman Art Winkleback, stated that both the board and management were disappointed with how the company was being valued and wanted to make things better for franchise owners, employees, and investors.

He also shared that the team has already started working on Project Fresh and believes it will help Wendy’s become a leader in the fast-food industry once again, a brand that customers enjoy, franchise owners are proud to run, employees love working for, and shareholders see real value in.

TOPICS: Wendy’s