A number of restaurant chains have shared plans to shut areas in 2026.
Wendy’s deliberate to shut as much as 350 US eating places within the first six months of the 12 months.
Pizza Hut stated it could shutter 250 US areas within the first half of the 12 months.
Some fast-food and fast-casual chains throughout the US are shrinking their footprints, with a number of planning to cut back areas in 2026.
Restaurant chains, together with Wendy’s, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, and Purple Lobster, have introduced plans to shut areas in 2026.
The deliberate closures come amid a difficult few years for restaurant chains, pushed by components similar to inflation, rising labor prices, and altering buyer preferences. Some manufacturers have leaned on worth meals and improvements in an try and carry extra prospects within the door.
“What’s actually labored inside fast service hasn’t been worth, as a lot,” TD Cowen analyst Andrew Charles beforehand instructed Enterprise Insider. “Worth is vital, however you take a look at when McDonald’s, Burger King, and many others, have performed effectively — it is actually once they have nice menu innovation or nice advertising that they actually see prospects reply.”
A number of restaurant chains have introduced plans to shut areas in 2026, whereas others have abruptly shuttered areas for the reason that begin of the 12 months. This is what to know.
In February, Wendy’s revealed plans to shut as much as 350 US eating places.
Signal for the quick meals model Wendys on fifth June 2025 in London, United Kingdom.Mike Kemp/In Photos by way of Getty Photos
In February, Wendy’s stated it supposed to shut roughly 5% to six% of its US footprint — about 298 to 358 eating places — within the first half of the 12 months because it grappled with sliding gross sales and earnings.
On the time, then-Interim CEO Ken Prepare dinner stated the model’s focus was “to strengthen our basis and place Wendy’s for long-term success.”
The Related Press reported that Wendy’s shuttered 28 eating places within the fourth quarter of 2025, leaving it with 5,969 areas throughout the US on the finish of the 12 months.
Firm knowledge reveals systemwide US gross sales dropped 5.2% in 2025, whereas same-store gross sales declined 5.6% in contrast with the earlier 12 months.
In Might, Wendy’s introduced that international systemwide gross sales totaled $3.2 billion in Q1, down 5.5% from the identical interval the earlier 12 months. In an announcement on the time, Prepare dinner remained optimistic, citing Q1 enhancements similar to upgrading its hamburgers, launching new rooster sandwiches, and a “give attention to operational excellence.”
“Whereas our first quarter outcomes mirror a enterprise within the early levels of a turnaround, we’re making progress to enhance our US enterprise and are assured within the path we’re heading,” he stated.
Pizza Hut stated it supposed to shutter 250 US areas within the first half of the 12 months.
Pizza HutScott Olson/Getty Photos
Pizza Hut, based in 1958 by brothers Dan and Frank Carney in Wichita, Kansas, and best-known for its pan pizza, has greater than 6,000 areas within the US.
In a February earnings name, its dad or mum firm, Yum! Manufacturers, stated Pizza Hut supposed to shutter 250 US areas by July 1. The closures would influence “underperforming” areas, Yum! Manufacturers stated.
In April, Fortune reported it had recognized round 50 areas that had closed, with most affected eating places in California, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
Yum! Manufacturers stated late final 12 months that it was exploring a possible sale of the chain, after reporting a 1% decline in same-store gross sales through the third quarter, the eighth consecutive quarterly drop. Citing a supply, Reuters reported in Might that Yum! was in talks with LongRange Capital, a private-equity agency, a couple of potential sale.
“The Pizza Hut crew has been working exhausting to handle enterprise and class challenges,” Chris Turner, chief govt of Yum! Manufacturers, stated in November. “Nonetheless, Pizza Hut’s efficiency signifies the necessity to take extra motion to assist the model understand its full worth, which can be higher executed outdoors Yum! Manufacturers.”
The chain has confronted powerful competitors from different chains, particularly with the rise of worth meals. Internationally, it’s faring higher, with same-store gross sales rising by 1% final 12 months.
Jack within the Field reportedly plans to shut as much as 100 areas.
This is a Jack within the Field brand displayed on an indication outdoors a restaurant on January 9, 2026, in San Diego, CA.Kevin Carter/Getty Photos
Jack within the Field — the fast-food chain that is been flipping burgers since 1951 — has constructed a following at its greater than 2,100 areas with a menu that features curly fries, tacos, rooster sandwiches, and milkshakes. However even this drive-thru staple has hit some bumps within the highway.
In 2025, the corporate rolled out its “Jack on Observe” turnaround plan to spice up efficiency and strengthen its funds. A part of this was promoting off Del Taco for $119 million, which was accomplished in December.
By the tip of June, the model expects 50 to 100 closures and round 20 openings, QSR Journal reported in February.
Identical-store gross sales throughout its eating places dropped 6.7% in Q1 12 months over 12 months, the corporate reported, in response to QSR Journal. Its fiscal second-quarter gross sales “didn’t meet expectations,” Interim CEO Mark King stated in Might, with same-store gross sales falling 3.8% 12 months over 12 months and income declining 4.3% to $254.3 million.
However, King stated, gross sales traits had improved coming into the third quarter and that the corporate was dedicated to its turnaround plan.
“Jack within the Field is an iconic model, and I am wanting to dive in with our passionate crew and franchisees to additional enhance working outcomes. After being on the Board and now as interim CEO, my pleasure for the potential of this model has solely grown,” he stated.
The model’s aim this 12 months is to give attention to innovation, customer support, beauty updates, and fewer, stronger limited-time affords, QSR reported.
Papa John’s plans to shut roughly 200 shops in 2026.
A Papa John’s restaurant is seen on February 27, 2026 in Austin, Texas. Papa John’s worldwide is making ready to shut 300 of its Northern American shops by the tip of 2027 in an effort to additional turnaround enterprise amid nationwide ongoing pizza sector struggles.Brandon Bell/Getty Photos
Papa John’s introduced in a February earnings name that it plans to shut about 200 North America eating places in 2026 as a part of a broader effort to close down 300 underperforming areas by the tip of 2027.
The closures will primarily have an effect on franchise-owned shops which can be greater than 10 years previous and don’t point out long-term profitability, Ravi Thanawala, Papa John’s CFO, stated on the decision.
Papa John’s reported a 3% decline in international systemwide gross sales within the first quarter. North America comparable gross sales declined 6.4%, although worldwide comparable gross sales rose 3.6% for the sixth consecutive quarter of progress.
CEO Todd Penegor stated, “We’re taking motion to higher align company and discipline sources with our transformation priorities and optimize spans and layers in our organizations.”
Papa John’s was based in 1984 by John Schnatter in Jeffersonville, Indiana, when he started promoting pizzas out of a transformed broom closet in his father’s tavern. The model rapidly grew into one of many largest pizza chains on the earth, recognized for its “Higher Elements. Higher Pizza.” slogan.
Purple Robin has abruptly closed some eating places nationwide.
This is a Purple Robin restaurant in San Bruno, California.Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Photos
Some Purple Robin areas in Illinois, California, and New Jersey abruptly closed this 12 months, The Unbiased reported.
The corporate, which has almost 500 areas throughout america, stated in February 2025 that it supposed to shutter roughly 70 underperforming eating places as a part of a plan to pay down debt, USA At the moment reported.
Later within the 12 months, executives shared throughout an earnings name that turnaround efforts at a number of areas had been extra profitable than anticipated, decreasing the necessity for as many closures.
A Purple Robin spokesperson instructed Enterprise Insider in March that 20 closures in 2026 had been talked about on the corporate’s This autumn earnings name; nonetheless, these are potential, not confirmed, closures. They concern company areas, relatively than franchise-operated areas.
“As the corporate reported in its This autumn earnings, Purple Robin beat the informal eating trade on site visitors in December, a development that continued into January,” the spokesperson stated, including that there was “a raise in site visitors, because of its new worth menu, the Massive YUMMM Offers beginning at $9.99.”
“This offers the corporate confidence as they give the impression of being forward and count on to proceed that progress in 2026 as they introduce extra company to the new-and-improved Purple Robin,” the spokesperson stated.
Purple Robin was based in 1969 in Seattle, Washington, when native restaurateur Gerry Kingen expanded and renamed a neighborhood tavern that had initially opened within the Forties.
The corporate grew right into a nationwide casual-dining chain recognized for its connoisseur burgers, its Bottomless Steak Fries, onion rings, and thick, hand-spun milkshakes.
Some Denny’s have additionally closed with out advance discover.
Denny’s brand is seen in Austin, United States on October 21, 2025.Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto by way of Getty Photos
Denny’s, which operates greater than 1,650 areas globally and is acknowledged for comfort-food staples, confirmed in January that it had accomplished its plan to shut 150 eating places by the tip of 2025.
For the reason that begin of 2026, there have been studies of eating places closing with out advance discover, together with areas in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, Michigan, in addition to Midland, Texas, per Mashed.
Denny’s didn’t reply to Enterprise Insider’s request for touch upon the current closures. It has not been stated if there might be others this 12 months.
It comes amid broader company shifts on the firm. In January, a $620 million acquisition by TriArtisan Capital, Yadav Enterprises, and Treville Capital was accomplished. The corporate reported that CEO Kelli Valade would depart in February.
Denny’s was based in 1953 in Lakewood, California, by Harold Butler and Richard Jezak, initially working below the identify Danny’s Donuts earlier than evolving right into a full-service espresso store and finally rebranding as Denny’s.
Noodles & Firm expects to shut between 30 and 35 areas in 2026.
Clackamas, OR, USA – Might 22, 2021: A Noodles and Firm restaurant in Clackamas, Oregon. Noodles and Firm is an American fast-casual restaurant primarily based in Broomfield, Colorado.Tada Photos/Shutterstock
Quick Firm reported Noodles & Firm plans to shutter extra eating places as a part of a broader effort to shore up its funds.
In a January announcement, the fast-casual chain stated it expects to shut between 30 and 35 areas in 2026 to enhance profitability and strengthen its total efficiency.
By the tip of 2025, the model operated 340 company-owned eating places and 83 franchised areas. The corporate had already downsized its footprint the earlier 12 months, closing 42 eating places, together with 33 company areas and 9 franchise models.
“Choices like this are made thoughtfully and with a long-term view of the enterprise,” CEO and President Joe Christina stated, including that fourth-quarter outcomes confirmed stronger efficiency when sources had been centered on higher-opportunity eating places. He stated the strikes are designed to bolster the model’s monetary place and help long-term, worthwhile progress.
Noodles & Firm was based in 1995 by Aaron Kennedy in Denver, Colorado. The chain is thought for its numerous menu that spans flavors from world wide, together with Wisconsin Mac & Cheese, Pad Thai, Japanese Pan Noodles, and Pasta Fresca. Along with noodle bowls, the restaurant affords soups, salads, and shareable sides, positioning itself as a quick-service spot for consolation meals with a global twist.
Purple Lobster is closing its Instances Sq. flagship location, amongst others, in 2026.
Richard Levine/Corbis by way of Getty Photos
Since submitting for chapter in 2024 — and shutting dozens of eating places that 12 months — Purple Lobster has begun a turnaround: It is appointed a brand new CEO, up to date its menu, collaborated with celebrities, and exited Chapter 11 safety. The brand new CEO, Damola Adamolekun, instructed The Wall Avenue Journal in February that its gross sales had been up 10% 12 months over 12 months.
Nonetheless, the corporate introduced this week that it’ll shutter its flagship Instances Sq. location on June 14, ending a 23-year run in one of many world’s busiest vacationer locations.
A spokesperson for Purple Lobster instructed Enterprise Insider the chain “stays centered on strengthening the enterprise, investing within the visitor expertise, and constructing momentum throughout the system.”
It cited “intensive and extended development” on the sprawling location, which affected foot site visitors and gross sales.
“Instances Sq. has been an vital chapter in Purple Lobster’s historical past, and we’re grateful to the crew members and company who’ve made this restaurant particular through the years,” the chain stated.
In Might, the model closed its oldest constantly working location, in Tallahassee, Florida, after 56 years, following typical efficiency and lease evaluations, the corporate stated. Different closures have included eating places in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and Overland Park, Kansas.
Purple Lobster operates round 550 eating places, a decline from round 700 a number of years in the past, Fortune reported. Adamolekun instructed The Wall Avenue Journal that Purple Lobster continues to be trying intently at leases, with a view to shut or replace underperforming areas. He added that the chain can also be open to opening extra areas in some underrepresented areas.
Based in 1968, Purple Lobster grew into one of many largest informal eating seafood chains in america. The corporate is finest recognized for its seafood-focused menu, together with shrimp, lobster, and crab dishes, in addition to its signature Cheddar Bay Biscuits, which have turn into a staple of the model.
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