Wendy’s store closures update: See the newest list of doomed locations as embattled franchisee shrinks footprint

More than a dozen Wendy’s restaurants were marked for permanent closure this weekend as one of its largest franchisees continues a weeks-long effort to shutter loss-making locations in the wake of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Lawyers for the franchisee, Meritage Hospitality Group, told a bankruptcy court that 13 additional Wendy’s stores would be closed as of Friday, marking the fourth weekend in a row that the embattled fast food operator has instituted rounds of restaurant closures. The 13 stores slated for closure are located in Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Texas. They add to 20 restaurants that Meritage has closed on previous Fridays since September 25. At the time of its bankruptcy petition, Michigan-based Meritage operated 314 stores, making it one of the biggest restaurant owners in the Wendy’s system. The company, originally a hotelier, has operated Wendy’s stores since the late 1990s. Fast Company reached out to Meritage and The Wendy’s Company for comment. Last week, a spokesperson for the burger giant told Fast Company that it was focused on keeping as many restaurants open as possible through this process. Court documents show it…

≈