WENDY’S faces 300 closures due to crippling beef prices…

One of the largest franchisees operating 314 outposts of Wendy’s across the country filed for bankruptcy partially due to record-high beef prices linked to Trump’s tariffs and agricultural issues

One of the largest U.S. franchisees for Wendy’s has filed for bankruptcy protection after the restaurant chain tried to terminate its franchise agreement.

Meritage Hospitality Group, which operates 314 Wendy’s restaurants in 15 states, said in a statement last week it intends to keep operating its restaurants and paying its 9,000 employees during the bankruptcy process.

https://www.themirror.com/lifestyle/food-drink/wendys-faces-300-closures-across-2034913

Meritage bankruptcy exposes how bad the Wendy’s franchise problem has become

https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/nside-meritage-hospitality-group-wendys-bankruptcy-causes/830916/

Meritage’s store-level earnings fell 48% in 2025, while the company had already closed 60 underperforming Wendy’s locations.

Wendy’s franchisee files bankruptcy while owing more than $146 million in claims

https://apnews.com/article/5404c2e8e18e2fde34d7369e727408e5

Wendy’s says Meritage owes $27.4 million in royalties and fees plus $119.5 million in continuous-operations fees connected to closed stores.