Wendy's to close hundreds of restaurants as company looks to focus on value to boost sales

[libertybele]

We haven't done Wendy's a quite awhile and decided a couple of days ago to give it a try again. Expensive for the quality of food that they serve.  We even got Frosty's which they've added quite a few flavors -- yuk ... not as I remembered.  I can see why they are having difficulties.

They are looking at value, but IMO they'd be better off keeping pricing the same and offering better quality of food.

Wendy's to close hundreds of restaurants as company looks to focus on value to boost sales

Fast-food giant Wendy's will close hundreds of its U.S. restaurants as it looks to focus on value and boost lagging sales in the domestic market.

In the October through December quarter, the fast-food giant reported same-store sales, or sales at restaurants open for at least one year, declined 11.3% in the U.S.

While Wendy's previously announced late last year its intent to close underperforming restaurants, interim CEO Ken Cook provided more details on Friday during the company's call with investors.

Cook said that the company shuttered 28 locations in the fourth quarter of 2025 and expects to close 5% to 6% of its 5,959 restaurants, or 298 to 358 locations, in the first half of this year.

The planned closures occur as the fast-food giant continues its turnaround plan dubbed Project Fresh. Announced in October 2025, Wendy's said the strategy is "designed to revitalize the brand, reignite growth, [and] accelerate profitability."

Part of its plan to win back customers is shifting its focus to value, as many core customers still feel strained by higher living costs..............

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/wendys-close-hundreds-restaurants-company-looks-focus-value-boost-sales

[mountaineer]

A lot of Wendy's are operated by franchisees, and not owned by the corporation itself. The story doesn't indicate whether they are affected.

[rustynail]

[MeganC]

Years ago I got to see the inside of a Frosty (milkshake) machine when I hung out with a friend one night and he was cleaning the machine.

This particular Wendy's had not cleaned their shake machine in ages. It was one of the freestanding versions.

The cockroaches when the drive thru girl opened the side panel were epic. I haven't had a shake from anywhere other than In-n-Out ever since.

 

[Idiot]

Years ago I got to see the inside of a Frosty (milkshake) machine when I hung out with a friend one night and he was cleaning the machine.

This particular Wendy's had not cleaned their shake machine in ages. It was one of the freestanding versions.

The cockroaches when the drive thru girl opened the side panel were epic. I haven't had a shake from anywhere other than In-n-Out ever since.

 

I delivered janitorial supplies while in college.  I delivered to a Taco Bell.  Drove to the back door and I kid you not, there was a guy in a chair using his foot/shoe to grate the cheese.  I haven't darkened the door of a Taco Bell since.

[berdie]

I can't say I've ever been to Wendys. And I don't really know anyone who says "Let's go to Wendys for a burger."

I'm kinda surprised they have lasted this long. The burger joint industry has some really tough competition.

[Wingnut]

Wendy's, Micky-D's, Burger King, Taco Bell et al.   Over built. Saturated.  They are the fast foods of Dollar General.  How many shitty food places do you need in a 1/4 mile.

[LadyLiberty]

An 11.3% drop in one year is huge. I wonder how that compares to the other fast food burger chains. Did they drop as well, and by how much, or is this large decrease in sales primarily a problem at Wendy's?

[Timber Rattler]

Well, remodeling the locations into Starbucks-style lounges, cutting staff to the bone, and overpricing mediocre food are not winning strategies.  I used to like Wendy's when Dave Thomas was still alive, but its "brand management" executives have run it into the ground.  Heck, the frosties are so tiny now that you're better off getting a cup of ice cream at the local IGA.

I prefer Hardee's at this point anyway.

[Smokin Joe]

Well, remodeling the locations into Starbucks-style lounges, cutting staff to the bone, and overpricing mediocre food are not winning strategies.  I used to like Wendy's when Dave Thomas was still alive, but its "brand management" executives have run it into the ground.  Heck, the frosties are so tiny now that you're better off getting a cup of ice cream at the local IGA.

I prefer Hardee's at this point anyway.

If I'm going to do fast food (a rarity for me), It's either DQ or Culver's.

[Cyber Liberty]

I used to like Wendy's fine, but when the advertised with big signs they wanted day laborers I stopped going there.

[DB]

If I'm going to do fast food (a rarity for me), It's either DQ or Culver's.

Culver's fish and corn dogs are pretty good. I don't know of anything better that is "fast food".

[DB]

Their chocolate Frosty is not what it used to be. They've altered it, and not for the better.

In-n-Out has good shakes.

[libertybele]

Culver's fish and corn dogs are pretty good. I don't know of anything better that is "fast food".

We went several year ago and I found it to be a little greasy. it's gotten some good reviews and  I looked up the nutritional value lately and it wasn't too bad.

We'll have to give it another try. 

[Wingnut]

Less Wendy's...  More old Dog and Suds or A&W drive-ins.

[libertybele]

Less Wendy's...  More old Dog and Suds or A&W drive-ins.

I wish we had an A&W around  here.

True story -- my brother and I went to A&W in our younger and smokin' days -- and I accidentally drove of with the tray still attached to the window ---- hilarious!   Oops....   Aw .... it was a blonde moment right?

[MeganC]

Their chocolate Frosty is not what it used to be. They've altered it, and not for the better.

In-n-Out has good shakes.

In n Out has good everything!  

[mountaineer]

I worked at a frachisee-owned Wendy's in my younger years. The owners, who had a few dozen stores, maintained the highest cleanliness and sanitation standards,  unlike the one Megan described. It's kind of suicidal to run a filthy restaurant, I should think!

[Smokin Joe]

I worked at a frachisee-owned Wendy's in my younger years. The owners, who had a few dozen stores, maintained the highest cleanliness and sanitation standards,  unlike the one Megan described. It's kind of suicidal to run a filthy restaurant, I should think!

I check for scuzz in the corners, stray trash, and sticky counters. Let's face it, if I hold my kitchen to a higher standard, I'm not eating there.

[Wingnut]

I wish we had an A&W around  here.

True story -- my brother and I went to A&W in our younger and smokin' days -- and I accidentally drove of with the tray still attached to the window ---- hilarious!   Oops....   Aw .... it was a blonde moment right?

I bet your left a drive-in movie with the speaker in the window too!   LOL.

[mystery-ak]

Lent starts tomorrow so we eat the fish/chips and shrimp at Culvers...which is pretty good..

MacDonalds fish sandwich used to be good but is now a joke...they need to get a piece of fish the size of the bun...

[Wingnut]

Lent starts tomorrow so we eat the fish/chips and shrimp at Culvers...which is pretty good..

MacDonalds fish sandwich used to be good but is now a joke...they need to get a piece of fish the size of the bun...

The wife sent me out to get some fish for ash Wed tomorrow.  I got to thinking what ever happened to all the ads for Friday Fish fry's? 

[mountaineer]

Many of our local volunteer fire depts are holding fish fries. Can't wait!

[Bigun]

Close them all for all I care. I haven't seen the inside od a Wendy's in at least thirty years.

[Smokin Joe]

Just got done with dinner. Walleye from the freezer, 4 vacuum sealed fillets, baked (perched on pats of butter) w/light breading, sprinkled parmesan. Turned out pretty tasty. (My Malinois helped me eat dinner. She likes fish.)

[AllThatJazzZ]

What I'd love to see is some American chain completely revamp their menu, incorporating MAHA guidelines. Get rid of ALL seed oils and replace with tallow, lard, ghee, butter, etc. Use beef/eggs/bacon from reputable sources. Serve mostly very low carb foods. Create clever new dishes for a low-carb, high-fat diet. There should be a full carnivore option (zero carbs) along with ketovore (10 or fewer carbs), keto (20 or fewer carbs), and items from the Mediterranean diet.

Create an inspirational mission statement worthy of the vision. Populate the staff with people who can sign onto that mission statement. Extensively train managers and employees how to run a clean, efficient establishment focusing on how to interact with customers. Treat them fairly and pay them decent salaries. Visit the shops often to ensure guidelines are being adhered to.

Launch an advertising campaign to make the public aware of the changes. Appeal to Americans' desire to return to more nutritionally-based eating, providing them with a way to reverse much of the devastation of the Standard American Diet (SAD) over the past several decades. Shine a favorable light on the benefits of the new food pyramid, helping to educate the consumer.

They wouldn't be competing with the other burger joints. They'd be an entirely new concept with the focus on (1) tasty food and (2) good metabolic health. The relaunch might be costly at the beginning, but when the new way of eating starts to catch on and the benefits become evident, it'll get the attention of the public.