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.