Wendy’s to close 140 underperforming, outdated locations

Nov 01, 2024

Lauren Taylor Anchor

By Lauren Taylor (Anchor), Mirlie Larose (Producer), Bast Bramhall (Video Editor)

Wendy’s announced it would close 140 underperforming and outdated locations by the end of 2024, adding to the 100 closures it had already scheduled earlier this year. Wendy’s CEO, Kirk Tanner, said the locations struggled to meet current customer expectations and had become outdated.

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The company planned to focus on locations that better aligned with customer preferences.

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Despite the closures, Wendy’s expected no reduction in its overall U.S. presence. The fast-food chain, which operates approximately 6,000 locations nationwide, intended to replace every closed restaurant with a newly designed, modern facility.

These new locations would feature updated pick-up windows, advanced kitchen technology, and revamped interiors, aiming to offer customers an improved dining experience.

Wendy’s is not alone in this approach. Other restaurant chains, including Denny’s and Shake Shack, also announced closures of hundreds of underperforming locations. While Wendy’s recent earnings report showed mixed results as same-store sales growth fell short of analysts’ expectations, the company remained optimistic about its future.

One recent promotion helped bolster sales. Wendy’s introduced a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed meal in October, which reportedly attracted significant customer interest.

Tags: Fast food, store closing, Wendy’s

Lauren Taylor

IF YOU’VE NOTICED YOUR LOCAL WENDY’S LOOKING A LITTLE WORN OUT, IT MIGHT NOT BE AROUND MUCH LONGER.

THE FAST-FOOD CHAIN ANNOUNCING IT’S CLOSING 140 OUTDATED LOCATIONS. THAT’S ON TOP OF THE 100 SLATED CLOSINGS ANNOUNCED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

ACCORDING TO WENDY’S CEO, KIRK TANNER, THESE RESTAURANTS ARE UNDERPERFORMING AND SHOWING THEIR AGE.

WENDY’S WILL FOCUS ON RESTAURANTS THAT ARE KEEPING UP WITH CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS.

EVEN WITH THESE CLOSURES, THE CHAIN ISN’T GETTING ANY SMALLER.

WENDY’S STILL OPERATES AROUND SIX-THOUSAND LOCATIONS IN THE U.S. AND IS PLANNING TO OPEN AS MANY NEW RESTAURANTS AS IT’S CLOSING WITH A FRESH, MODERN DESIGN.

THESE NEW WENDY’S WILL COME WITH UPDATED PICK-UP WINDOWS, IMPROVED KITCHEN TECH, AND REVAMPED INTERIORS TO GIVE CUSTOMERS A BETTER EXPERIENCE.

WENDY’S ISN’T ALONE. OTHER CHAINS, LIKE DENNY’S AND SHAKE SHACK, ARE ALSO CLOSING HUNDREDS OF UNDERPERFORMING LOCATIONS.

AND WHILE WENDY’S EARNINGS THIS QUARTER WERE A BIT MIXED—SAME-STORE SALES GROWTH WAS SLOWER THAN ANALYSTS EXPECTED—THE COMPANY IS FEELING OPTIMISTIC.

IT TURNS OUT THEIR OCTOBER SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS-THEMED MEAL DROVE A LOT OF EXTRA SALES.

I’M LAUREN TAYLOR AND FOR MORE OF OUR UNBIASED, STRAIGHT FACT REPORTING – BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP TODAY, OR LOG ON TO SAN.COM

Wendy’s to close 140 underperforming, outdated locations

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