A Wendy’s near you may be closing soon

Business

The fast-food chain announced it will close hundreds of restaurants next year to streamline operations.

Wendy’s, known for its square burgers, chili, baked potatoes and Frosty desserts, announced last week that it is closing hundreds of stores across the country as part of its turnaround plan to improve profitability. 

Wendy’s won’t say which locations will close, but the company said during its Friday earnings call that it plans to shut down about 5% to 6% of its U.S. restaurants, roughly 300 stores. The company already closed 28 locations in the final few months of 2025. 

According to its latest annual report, the company and its franchisees operate over 7,000 restaurants worldwide, with about 5,600 in the U.S. 

According to Wendy’s website, 98 of those locations are in Massachusetts. 

The closures are part of Wendy’s “Project Fresh,” which will close underperforming stores, while investing in locations with the greatest growth potential. 

Under the plan, the company, known for the slogans “Where’s the beef?” and “Always fresh, never frozen,” hired industry consultancy Creed UnCo — led by Greg Creed, the former CEO of Taco Bell and Yum! Brands — to guide a major brand revitalization effort.

The company, headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, is also rethinking its labor and operating hours and investing in customer experience and store efficiency initiatives.

Project Fresh is underway, with Ken Cook, Interim CEO, saying he is encouraged by the results so far in the latest fourth-quarter announcement on Friday.

“Wendy’s Board of Directors and management team are dissatisfied with the current valuations of the Company,” said Chairman of the Board Art Winkleblack in an October statement. 

Winkleback said he hopes that the plan “will position Wendy’s as the industry leader — one that guests love, franchisees are proud to operate, teams are excited to be part of, and creates significant value for our shareholders.” 

Beth Treffeisen is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on local news, crime, and business in the New England region.