15.02.2026 10:20
Wendy's, one of the world's largest fast-food chains, has decided to close hundreds of underperforming restaurants following a sharp decline in sales. The company plans to close up to 350 locations throughout 2026 in order to make its operations more efficient and profitable.
The American fast-food giant Wendy's has decided to close hundreds of its locations following a sharp decline in sales. The company experienced a same-store sales loss of over 10%, exceeding expectations in the fourth quarter of 2025, with sales in the U.S. domestic market dropping even more sharply.
In response to this performance decline, Wendy's plans to close between 298 and 358 restaurants, which is about 5-6% of its approximately 6,000 locations, in the first half of 2026. This closure plan also includes the shutting down of 240 locations in 2024.
DEVELOPED NEW STRATEGIES BUT...
The company, which saw a decline in revenue from September to December 2025, announced that it has developed value-focused strategies, such as the permanently low-priced "Biggie Deals" menu, to re-establish the balance between quality and price. Wendy's interim CEO Ken Cook stated that they will focus on daily value offerings instead of excessively short-term discount promotions.
AIMING TO MAINTAIN MARKET SHARE
While Wendy's shares have declined due to falling sales and financial pressures, it has been reported that performance in international markets has been relatively better, with only a limited decline in global sales. The company aims to maintain its market share through restructuring and value strategies.