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Wendy's to close hundreds of U.S. stores as low-income consumers cut back
November 11, 2025 / 10:17 AM EST / CBS/AP
Wendy's plans to close hundreds of U.S. restaurants in the coming months as revenue and profits decline, with the company citing cutbacks by lower-income consumers that it expects will persist through year's end.
On a Friday investor call, Ken Cook, Wendy's interim CEO, didn't disclose the exact number or locations of restaurants that it plans to shutter. But he said the Dublin, Ohio-based company is likely to close in the "mid-single digit percentage" of its 6,011 U.S locations, or roughly 300 store closures if it shuts 5% of its existing restaurants.
Wendy's said the closures will start in the fourth quarter this year. Closing underperforming locations will improve traffic and profitability at its remaining U.S. restaurants, Cook added.
Fast-food chains have been struggling to lift sales as lower-income consumers feel increasingly squeezed by rising food costs. Both Wendy's and McDonald's have introduced value meals to entice diners, but Cook said he doesn't expect the financial strain on these households to ease soon.
"We do see more pressure on the lower-income consumer," he said Friday. "We continued to see that in [the third quarter] and we expect that to continue into the fourth."
Wendy's to close hundreds of U.S. stores as low-income consumers cut back
Wendy's plans to close hundreds U.S. restaurants over the next few months amid spending cutbacks from its customers.
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