Several well-known restaurant chains in the United States have announced plans to close hundreds of locations throughout 2026, reflecting ongoing challenges in the fast-food and fast-casual dining sectors. Chains such as Wendy’s, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, Jack in the Box, Red Robin, Denny’s, and Noodles & Company are all reducing their number of outlets as part of efforts to improve financial performance and adjust to changing market conditions.
Wendy’s, the Columbus, Ohio–based burger chain renowned for its square beef patties and Frosty dessert, is expected to shut around 5% to 6% of its US locations in the first half of the year. This equates to about 298 to 358 restaurants. After closing 28 restaurants in late 2025, Wendy’s will operate just under 6,000 outlets nationwide. The company reported a 5.2% decline in systemwide US sales and a 5.6% drop in same-store sales in 2025, though it saw growth in international markets with an 8.1% increase in systemwide sales.
Pizza Hut, known for its pan pizza, plans to close 250 US locations during the same period. Parent company Yum! Brands announced last year that it was exploring a sale of Pizza Hut following eight consecutive quarters of same-store sales declines. Despite the US closures, Pizza Hut’s international same-store sales rose by 1%. The closures will primarily affect underperforming outlets.
Jack in the Box, with over 2,100 restaurants offering items like curly fries and tacos, aims to close 50 to 100 locations by mid-2026 while opening about 20 new ones. The chain initiated a turnaround strategy called “Jack on Track” last year to improve operations and financial stability. It reported a 6.7% decrease in same-store sales during the first quarter of fiscal 2026.
Papa John’s announced it will close about 200 stores in 2026, focusing mostly on franchise locations over 10 years old with weak long-term profitability. These closures are part of a larger plan to shutter 300 locations by the end of 2027. The company’s leadership cited a need to realign corporate resources and prioritize transformation efforts.
Red Robin, the casual dining chain known for gourmet burgers and Bottomless Steak Fries, has abruptly closed some locations in Illinois, California, and New Jersey. Earlier plans called for closing roughly 70 underperforming restaurants in 2025 to reduce debt, though recent financial reports indicate some turnaround locations performed better than expected, lessening the number of closures needed.
Denny’s, famous for its comfort food and operating over 1,650 locations worldwide, completed a plan to close 150 restaurants by the end of 2025. Reports of additional closures surfaced in early 2026, though the company has not confirmed further plans. Denny’s recently underwent an acquisition by TriArtisan Capital, Yadav Enterprises, and Treville Capital.
Noodles & Company, a fast-casual chain offering a range of global noodle dishes, plans to close 30 to 35 locations in 2026 to boost profitability. The chain downsized by closing 42 restaurants in 2025 and focuses on stronger performance at higher-opportunity locations.
Across the board, these closures come amid a complex environment marked by inflation, rising labor costs, and evolving customer demands. Industry analysts note that leading quick-service brands have found success through menu innovation and marketing, rather than solely competing on value pricing. As these chains adapt, many are emphasizing strengthening their core operations and positioning themselves for long-term growth.
