The Wendy’s Co. (NASDAQ: WEN) is planning to close several hundred US restaurants after reporting a dismal fourth quarter financial performance.
The Associated Press reports the Dublin, Ohio-headquartered company experienced a 10% year-over-year decline in its global same-store sales during the fourth quarter, with same-sale stores in the US recording the worst declines. Wendy’s revenue fell 5.5% in the fourth quarter to $543 million.
The company closed 28 US restaurants in the fourth quarter, with 5,969 US locations operating at the end of 2025. Last November, it previewed plans for the potential closure of more restaurants in 2026.
Going forward, Wendy’s said it could close between 5% and 6% of its US restaurants – 298 to 358 locations – during the first half of this year.
“One learning from 2025 around value, we swung the pendulum too far towards limited-time price promotions instead of everyday value,” said Ken Cook, Wendy’s interim CEO and chief financial officer, in a conference call with investors.
Photo courtesy of Wendy’s
