Wendy’s Just Announced More New Changes, and Fans Aren’t Happy
Wendy’s Just Announced More New Changes, and Fans Aren’t Happy
Kennedy DierksTue, October 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM UTC
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Credit: Allrecipes / Wendy'sUnfortunately, we saw it coming.
Whether you frequent Wendy’s for its iconic chili, square-shaped burgers, or a classic Frosty for dessert, there’s a chance your nearest drive-thru may be closing soon. After announcing a series of closures in 2025, the fast food giant continues to shutter locations left and right—and it seems the chain is at it again with a new round. Despite the imminent closures, Wendy’s also announced major changes, but fans still aren’t happy.
Wendy’s Abruptly Closes 30 Locations
Bad news for Baconator fans: Wendy’s is downsizing again and will abruptly shutter 13 locations as soon as this weekend, as part of 30 total closures over the next month.
Credit: Getty Images/Allrecipes
After filing for bankruptcy last month, Meritage Hospitality Group—which is one of Wendy’s biggest operators—is aggressively axing underperforming restaurants. Under court-approved restructuring agreements, Meritage has announced plans to permanently close more than 30 locations across multiple states, including the dozen closing this weekend. The slated restaurants are located across the nation, including spots in Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas—and while fans aren’t happy, they aren’t surprised, either.
“Just found out that Wendy’s on Reynolda [Road] is closing for good. I’m not very happy with the closing,” wrote one Redditor from North Carolina in a thread about the closures. Meanwhile, a former employee from Oklahoma added, “I knew the one in Durant was dying when I worked there 3 years ago. I’m surprised it took this long.”
Since filing, Meritage has already closed 33 Wendy’s locations, plus about 60 other restaurants the company shut down before the legal proceedings. While corporate offices aim to optimize performance and secure long-term growth, the localized franchisee shutdowns reflect broader, nationwide turbulence for the fast food chain.
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After a steady decline in domestic sales, Wendy’s announced plans to phase out hundreds of underperforming U.S. stores beginning in late 2025—and based on Meritage’s recent announcement, there’s no end in sight.
The news coincides with Wendy’s newest menu additions: a new combo deal and the return of its classic yellow packaging. Wendy’s joins other fast food chains like Taco Bell and Jack in the Box, which have tapped into consumer nostalgia and brought back old favorites such as the Decades Menu and Hot Mess Burger, respectively. Despite bringing back its beloved packaging in September, Wendy’s hasn’t seen sales increase—and neither a yellow box nor a meal deal seems to be fixing that.
The biggest consumer complaint is the decline in food quality. The consensus is that putting the same food in a yellow box at a markdown can’t snap the chain back to its 1990s glory days. That said, any meal deal is a steal in this economy—and Wendy’s is clearly listening to consumers who are griping about food costs.
Starting Oct. 19, Wendy’s is serving a combo deal for just $7.99: the Dave’s Single combo. Served in throwback yellow packaging, the meal includes three fast-food essentials: a Dave’s Single hamburger, a small order of French fries, and a small soft drink. With the burger alone creeping above $6 in recent years, the combo meal is arguably a steal and a strong reason to go to Wendy’s. But given how often Wendy’s offers incredible deals like the iconic 4 for $4 and Biggie Bags, the Dave’s Single combo probably won’t make enough waves to reopen the closing locations—but only time will tell.
on Allrecipes
Source: “AOL Money”
