Wendy’s announced it would close 140 underperforming and outdated locations by the end of 2024, adding to the 100 closures it had already scheduled earlier this year. Wendy’s CEO, Kirk Tanner, said the locations struggled to meet current customer expectations and had become outdated.
The company planned to focus on locations that better aligned with customer preferences.
Despite the closures, Wendy’s expected no reduction in its overall U.S. presence. The fast-food chain, which operates approximately 6,000 locations nationwide, intended to replace every closed restaurant with a newly designed, modern facility.
These new locations would feature updated pick-up windows, advanced kitchen technology, and revamped interiors, aiming to offer customers an improved dining experience.
Wendy’s is not alone in this approach. Other restaurant chains, including Denny’s and Shake Shack, also announced closures of hundreds of underperforming locations. While Wendy’s recent earnings report showed mixed results as same-store sales growth fell short of analysts’ expectations, the company remained optimistic about its future.
One recent promotion helped bolster sales. Wendy’s introduced a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed meal in October, which reportedly attracted significant customer interest.
