A Major Change Is Coming to Wendy’s—Here’s What We Know

Whether you like to start your day with a Frosty Cream Cold Brew or nibble on a Baconator cheeseburger for dinner, there’s a possibility you may have to drive a little farther to get the Wendy’s menu items you crave. In its third quarter earnings call last month, Wendy’s announced plans to close more than a hundred restaurants.

In the earnings call, Kirk Tanner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wendy’s, said the company will be “doubling down on operational excellence” in the coming months. Part of the chain’s plan to ensure customers receive the same quality of experience at every Wendy’s restaurant includes a decision “to close additional restaurants this year that are outdated and located in underperforming trade areas.”

Wendy’s to Close 140 Locations

According to the call, Wendy’s is planning to close 140 locations nationwide by the end of the year to make room for newer restaurants “at better locations with significantly improved sales and profitability.” In addition to the closures, the fast food chain plans to open 250 to 300 new restaurants as well.

“We anticipate that total closures in 2024, including additional closures in the fourth quarter will be offset by new restaurant openings this year, leaving our net unit growth approximately flat compared to the prior year,” said Tanner. “By the end of 2024, we will have opened more than 500 new restaurants over the last two years and have the confidence we will deliver an elevated growth in 2025 and the years to come.”

Still, Tanner said Wendy’s is experiencing growth and seeing popularity in its new menu items, like the Spongebob-inspired Krabby Patty Kollab Burger and Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty. In fact, Tanner shared that Wendy’s will continue rolling out new and returning menu items in the coming months, including a brand new salted caramel Frosty flavor and the return of a guest favorite: the Mushroom Bacon Cheeseburger. 

Wendy’s has not announced which locations will be affected by the closures. 

These tweaks to the Wendy’s landscape are part of a mosaic of restaurant changes and closures. Earlier this year, TGI Fridays announced plans to close nearly 40 of its restaurants around the U.S. due to underperformance, and Pizza Hut has been dwindling in locations since 2020. 

Founded in 1969, Wendy’s operates around 7,000 restaurant locations worldwide. All closure plans aside, Tanner said customer satisfaction remains the fast food chain’s goal. “As we look ahead, we are focused on continuing to build love for Wendy’s by delivering on our new brand promise: fresh, famous food made right for you every time in every restaurant for every customer every day.”