Posted on 10/29/2026 10:24:47 AM PDT by Red Badger
Wendy’s could see up to 60 more restaurants closed across the United States through mid-November as one of its largest franchise operators battles bankruptcy, according to USA Today.
Meritage Hospitality Group, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on September 17, has already shuttered 33 restaurants since entering bankruptcy proceedings and could reportedly shut down dozens more by November 13.
Meritage previously closed 60 underperforming locations before filing for bankruptcy. Reports differ on whether the 33 closures since the filing count toward the up-to-60 figure, so the total could reach roughly 120 or more.
The restaurant company operated 314 Wendy’s restaurants across 15 states when it filed for bankruptcy.
Meritage reported a $31.5 million net loss in 2025, followed by another $23.1 million loss during the first half of 2026, according to QSR Magazine.
The franchisee blamed weak sales, aggressive discounting and what it described as less effective Wendy’s marketing under the chain’s previous leadership. The financial pressures have been compounded by stubbornly high beef prices, which the Trump administration has struggled to bring down despite aggressive efforts to boost imports.
In February, President Donald Trump authorized an additional 80,000 metric tons of tariff-free beef imports from Argentina. Moreover, the White House in August allowed another 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef trimmings into the country at reduced tariff rates in hopes of lowering hamburger prices. However, the measures have delivered little relief so far. Ground beef prices have climbed over 22% since Trump returned to office.
Meritage’s bankruptcy has also triggered a bitter financial dispute between the restaurant company and Wendy’s, with the fast-food chain claiming the operator owes approximately $147 million in royalties, fees and other contractual charges.
The latest development has only made Wendy’s already difficult few years go from bad to worse. The burger chain has suffered over 300 net restaurant closures since 2024, including 245 during the first half of 2026, according to NRN.
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We lost two of our three WENDY’S OVER THE SUMMER................
Best burgers in the fast food world.
I always thought they were a little pricey.
Hot and Juicy
So, I am not surprised at this news to be honest.
Nah. In-N-Out burgers are better by far. Do like their fries, though.
Fast food has to be a tough business, given how many outlets of various brands compete for the same customers. Drive down an ordinary commercial block, see about six different ones, sometimes right next to each other. Idk how any of them make a profit.
This.
I suspect a lot of their restaurants are in locations where the demographic shifted. Years ago they took over a lot of Roy Rogers and Arby's locations that were already in trouble.
I was sick for 3 days after eating a salad at Wendys, I assume it was salmonella.
When these restaurants are forced to pay $20/hr for someone to flip a burger where do we think prices will go? This is a result of “living” wages that liberals demanded. In the past, a person got 2 jobs or maybe 3 because working at a burger joint does not buy you a home in Malibu.
Over-expansion leads to a loss of quality, overall control and decline. Would not have happened during Dave Thomas’ tenure.
So you’re saying the locals now favor places like McDonald’s, Popeye’s, and KFC? That would explain things on multiple levels.
I use to like their burgers and spicy chicken sandwich.
However locally, their stores have been run down looking and dirty inside for quite some time. Staff almost hostile or incompetent.
Stopped going there years ago.
They don’t have burgers. But Chick-Fil-A is my primary fast food choice. Always clean, friendly and have never gotten one of my orders wrong.
Many other fast food chains should be paying attention.
SmashBurger rocks my socks.
Wendy’s, Carl’s, Burger King, etc. are over-saturated in the fast food market. Tastes change with more and more people opting for Mexican restaurants.
Yes, In & Out and Culvers are very good burgers IMO. Best burger I’ve ever had is Tanners in Oceanside, California.
Now it's way overpriced. They can take ours...we're getting an Olive Garden.
Wendy’s food and service has gone completely to pot. Their restaurants are hollow shells of their previous stores.
It’s to the point that I won’t order from one which employs young black workers. They cannot be trusted with the food I will eat. Incompetent and oftentimes malicious with desecrating the food for kicks. There have been many recent examples.
It’s been over 40 years since I had to do it, but I think it was:
White, red, green
White, red, yellow
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