Wendy’s has been in the news for planning to close several hundred underperforming U.S. restaurants while pushing a turnaround strategy focused on better value and profitability. Reports from February 2026 say the company expects to shut about 5% to 6% of its U.S. locations in the first half of 2026 after weaker sales in 2025.

What happened

The main story is that Wendy’s is trimming its store count. The company said the closures are part of “Project Fresh,” its effort to strengthen the brand and improve long-term performance.

Why it matters

The move follows declining sales, including lower same-store sales and weaker revenue in late 2025. At the same time, Wendy’s is leaning harder into value deals to win back customers.

Context

Wendy’s is a major fast-food chain founded by Dave Thomas in 1969 and is the third-largest hamburger chain in the U.S.. So when people ask “what did Wendy’s do,” they’re usually referring to this recent restructuring news, not the company’s founding history.

TL;DR: Wendy’s is closing hundreds of weaker U.S. locations and focusing on value as part of a turnaround plan after sales slowed.