Wendy’s franchisee with 314 restaurants in the US to file for bankruptcy — The Hill
US company Meritage Hospitality Group, which operates 314 Wendy’s restaurants in 15 states, plans to voluntarily file for bankruptcy under Chapter 11. The Hill reports.
Company restructuring
Meritage Hospitality Group is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In a press release, the company said it is turning to bankruptcy proceedings, in particular to “strengthen its balance sheet.”
The company expects its restaurants to operate as usual during the restructuring and continue serving guests. Several months earlier, Meritage said it would close 60 locations to improve its performance in 2026.
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In addition to Wendy’s restaurants, the company owns one Bojangles location and five concepts under independent brands. As The Hill notes, these assets did not offset the financial difficulties of the Wendy’s restaurants.
Pressure on the Wendy’s brand
Meritage said that systemwide pressure on the Wendy’s brand had significantly affected the company’s financial position, as the vast majority of its restaurant portfolio operates under this brand.
According to CNBC, amid a sharp rise in beef prices, Wendy’s recorded declining comparable sales for six consecutive quarters. Meritage operates Wendy’s restaurants in Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
