Wendy's Announces Closure of Restaurants, Including Potential Atlanta Impact

Fast-food giant Wendy’s revealed this week that it plans to close between 298 and 358 underperforming restaurants across the United States during the first half of 2026.

The move represents approximately 5% to 6% of the chain’s domestic footprint and is part of a broader turnaround strategy amid ongoing sales challenges.

Wendy’s Closing Hundreds of Stores

The Dublin, Ohio-based company, which ended 2025 with 5,969 U.S. locations, disclosed the details in its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings report released on Friday.

This round of closures builds on previous efforts, including 240 restaurant shutdowns in 2024 and an additional 28 locations closed in the final quarter of last year.

Interim CEO Ken Cook emphasized that the decisions were made in collaboration with franchisees to eliminate “consistently underperforming restaurants” — often older, outdated facilities that drag on profitability

By streamlining its portfolio, Wendy’s aims to allow operators to concentrate resources on higher-potential sites and drive long-term growth.

The closures come after a difficult period for the chain’s U.S. operations. In the fourth quarter of 2025, same-restaurant sales (a key metric tracking locations open at least one year) dropped 11.3% domestically — the chain’s worst performance in at least two decades.

Overall U.S. systemwide sales declined significantly, reflecting broader pressures in the fast-food industry, including competition from value-focused promotions at rivals and economic strain on lower-income consumers.

While Wendy’s has not yet released a specific list of closing locations, the targeted sites are expected to include older units in various markets nationwide

Atlanta metro area residents may see some local impacts, given Georgia’s substantial number of Wendy’s outlets and the chain’s focus on removing less profitable, aging stores from high-density urban and suburban areas.

Despite the setbacks, company leadership remains optimistic about recovery. Wendy’s highlighted ongoing value initiatives like its popular Biggie Deals menu to attract budget-conscious customers. The chain also plans selective new openings in stronger markets while modernizing remaining locations to better compete.

For Atlanta-area customers, the news serves as a reminder of the evolving fast-food landscape, where chains are increasingly prioritizing efficiency and profitability over sheer expansion.

Wendy’s fans are encouraged to check their local spots for any service changes in the coming months, though no immediate widespread disruptions are anticipated beyond individual closures.

As the first half of 2026 unfolds, Atlanta Business Journal will continue monitoring updates on specific Georgia locations affected by Wendy’s restructuring plan. Company officials have indicated that more details on individual sites may emerge as the process advances.