Denny's Plans 20 New Openings in 2026 as $620 Million Buyout Fuels Menu, Remodel Push
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 12
Denny's Plans 20 New Openings in 2026 as $620 Million Buyout Fuels Menu, Remodel Push
1 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 12
Summary
Denny's said it expects up to 20 new restaurants within the next year and another 20 in 2027, alongside renovations at as many as 350 locations.
Project Grand Slam is driving the comeback plan after the chain's $620 million take-private deal, with a new menu set to debut in about 40 restaurants from late October to mid-November and target a systemwide rollout by April.
Nearly 700 Denny's locations already offer catering through ezCater, and the company expects that figure to reach close to 1,000 by month-end as it adds new burgers, sauces and fries.
The push follows years of closures: Denny's now has 1,321 restaurants, down 131 from September 2025, though it says pruning underperforming stores positions the chain for sustainable growth.
Five recently shuttered restaurants in Minnesota and Wisconsin are being marketed for refranchising and reopening, part of Denny's effort to replace a closures narrative with expansion under new leadership.