A major Wendy’s franchisee with 314 stores just filed for bankruptcy. What it means for the burger chain’s footprint

Meritage Hospitality Group Inc., a major Wendy’s franchisee operating 314 locations, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This development follows a period of declining sales and a shrinking store footprint for Wendy’s, which remains the second-largest hamburger chain in the U.S. and third-largest globally. Following the announcement of the bankruptcy filing on Thursday, Wendy’s shares experienced a slip, signaling further concerns regarding the brand's current operational stability and its overall market footprint.