Wendy’s did not close hundreds of U.S. restaurants during 2025. Its 2025 annual filing reports 111 closures across the worldwide system that year. The separate U.S. plan announced in late 2025 was expected, according to a February 2026 forecast, to close 298 to 358 restaurants in the first half of 2026. Wendy’s described the targeted locations as underperforming and said it was seeking a stronger restaurant footprint and better franchisee economics.
What Wendy’s actually closed, and when
The distinction between completed closures and a later plan matters: the 2025 figure is a worldwide annual total, while the larger figure was a forecast for U.S. closures in 2026.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Wendy's Physical Gift Card | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Wendy's Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Wendy's Physical Gift Card | $75.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
McDonald's Physical Gift Card | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Jersey Mike's Physical Gift Card | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| Period and status | Geography | Count | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calendar 2025 actual, reported in the 2025 Form 10-K | Worldwide Wendy’s system | 111 closed | Five were company-operated and 106 franchisee-operated; Wendy’s characterized them as generally underperforming. 2025 Form 10-K |
| November 2025 announcement | United States | Mid-single-digit percentage planned | A planned program, not a completed-closure count. Wendy’s then had 6,011 U.S. locations. Associated Press, November 2025 |
| Fourth quarter 2025 actual, reported February 2026 | United States | 28 closed | A dated count disclosed by the company. Associated Press, February 2026 |
| First half of 2026 forecast, issued February 2026 | United States | 298 to 358 expected | Wendy’s forecast this range, equivalent to 5% to 6% of the U.S. system at that time; it is not a verified final tally. Associated Press, February 2026 |
These numbers should not be added together as though they describe one single U.S. closure total. The 111 figure covers worldwide closures in 2025; the February 2026 range was a forecast for U.S. closures during the first half of 2026. The available reporting does not establish the final result of that forecast or provide a complete list of affected addresses.
Why Wendy’s said it was closing locations
Wendy’s framed the U.S. plan as an effort to improve the overall restaurant system, focusing on sites that were not performing well financially or in customer service. Ken Cook, then the company’s interim CEO, told the Associated Press in November 2025: “When we look at the system today, we have some restaurants that do not elevate the brand and are a drag from a franchisee financial performance perspective.”
#1 Best Overall
- The Gift of Wendy's is Always in Good Taste.
- You can use this card to buy delicious food and drinks at participating Wendy's locations.
- By purchasing and/or using Wendy’s Gift Cards, you agree to comply with Wendy’s Terms of Use including individual arbitration of any claims.
- Physical gift cards are delivered active via mail.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return.
Cook also said the company believed closing locations that underperformed financially or in customer service could help improve traffic and profitability at remaining U.S. restaurants. That is the company’s rationale for the program; it does not establish why any particular restaurant was selected.
Weak sales and traffic were part of the backdrop
Wendy’s 2025 Form 10-K reported that U.S. systemwide sales fell 5.2% in 2025 on a constant-currency basis. The filing also reported a 4.8% decrease in global franchise same-restaurant sales, attributing it primarily to lower traffic, partly offset by higher average check. These company-reported measures help explain the business pressure behind a system review, but they do not show that every closing restaurant had the same problem.
Rank #2
- The Gift of Wendy's is Always in Good Taste.
- You can use this card to buy delicious food and drinks at participating Wendy's locations.
- By purchasing and/or using Wendy’s Gift Cards, you agree to comply with Wendy’s Terms of Use including individual arbitration of any claims.
- Physical gift cards are delivered active via mail.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return.
Closing was not the only option
Cook told the Associated Press that Wendy’s could also try to improve a struggling location or transfer it to another operator rather than close it. The company’s 2024 annual report said many underperforming restaurants it planned to close would be replaced by new locations it expected to have greater sales potential. That was an expectation, not proof that every closed site was replaced.
U.S. closures did not mean Wendy’s was retreating everywhere
Wendy’s was reducing or reshaping part of its U.S. footprint while continuing to expand internationally. In its full-year 2025 results release, the company reported an 8.1% rise in international systemwide sales for the year on a constant-currency basis and 121 net new international restaurants. Those results describe a different geography and do not offset or explain the performance of individual U.S. locations. Wendy’s full-year 2025 results
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #3
- By purchasing and / or using Wendy’s Gift Cards, you agree to comply with Wendy’s Terms of Use including individual arbitration of any claims.
- You can use this card to buy delicious food and drinks at participating Wendy's.
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
What the closure figures do—and do not—tell customers
The February 2026 range was a forecast, not confirmation of how many restaurants ultimately closed. The company and reporting cited here do not provide a complete address list or a robust estimate of the program’s total effects on workers and communities. Customers looking for a specific location should check Wendy’s current location information rather than assume a restaurant is included based on the national plan.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Redemption: Instore and Online
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Rank #4
- Perfect for all occasions - including holidays, thank you’ s, just because gifting, and especially birthdays (Grimace loves his birthday!) -- a McDonald's gift card is always a hit and a great value.
- Gift an Arch Card to friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, teachers, service providers, etc.
- From breakfast to dinner, and everything in between, McDonald's has something for everyone.
- McDonald’s gift cards can be used on any menu item including fan favorites like the Egg McMuffin, McNuggets, the Big Mac, and of course our world-famous fries.
- Our burgers are the hottest, juiciest burgers. Ask the Hamburglar, he can’t keep his hands off ‘em!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
