1. Wendy’s: “Project Fresh” Targets Older Alabama Units
Wendy’s is aggressively executing its “Project Fresh” initiative, which involves shuttering up to 358 restaurants nationwide during the first half of 2026. Alabama, which hosts a significant number of the brand’s roughly 6,000 U.S. locations, is expected to see several older units close this month.
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- The Goal: Interim CEO Ken Cook stated that the closures focus on “consistently underperforming” locations—specifically older buildings that cannot accommodate the new “Global Next Gen” design.
- Strategic Pivot: The brand is moving away from limited-time price promotions in favor of a…