One Of America's Biggest Fast Food Chains Is Closing Hundreds Of Restaurants

Fast food giants across the United States are facing serious challenges as customers increasingly turn to healthier alternatives and rising costs cut into profits. The entire fast food sector has endured several difficult years, and one of its most recognized names is now being affected.

In 2025, headlines have reflected widespread difficulties in the industry. Major chains such as Jack-in-the-Box and Starbucks have announced the closure of hundreds of outlets. Meanwhile, brands like KFC, Del Taco, and Pizza Hut have all experienced notable declines in sales.

This trend follows an especially harsh 2024 for traditional sit-down restaurant chains, when several well-known franchises declared bankruptcy within just a few months of each other.

Wendy’s Announces Major Store Closures

Now, Wendy’s has joined the list of chains reducing their footprint. The decision was shared by interim CEO Ken Cook during the company’s third-quarter earnings call.

Cook stated that Wendy’s plans to close a “mid single-digit percentage” of its total U.S. restaurants.

According to CNN, Wendy’s ended 2024 with approximately 5,900 locations nationwide. That percentage could represent around 300 closures in the near future. The move follows a previous downsizing in which the company shut down 140 restaurants the year before.

Cook added that Wendy’s overall remains strong but acknowledged that a small group of underperforming stores has been weighing on performance.

The company also intends to renovate existing outlets and introduce new technology to increase efficiency and attract customers to struggling locations.

Author Summary

Wendy’s plans to shut roughly 300 U.S. restaurants amid wider fast food downturns, continuing a wave of closures across major chains like Starbucks and KFC.

Tasting Table — 2025-11-07