Meritage Hospitality sought Chapter 11 protection this week after shutting 60 Wendy’s restaurants earlier this year, a move the 314-unit franchisee said should strengthen its balance sheet and restore flexibility.
Six straight quarters of same-store sales declines at Wendy’s drove the pressure, including a 7% drop last quarter and a more than 10% two-year decline so far this year.
Court filings list $10 million to $50 million in assets and liabilities, while City National Bank is owed $150 million after declaring the debt in default last year.
Store-level EBITDA fell 48% in 2025 to $36.2 million, and Meritage said an $11 million shortfall in its beverage contract added to the strain as beef costs rose.
Wendy’s said it is working with challenged franchisees case by case, underscoring broader stress on the chain from weak sales, store closures and leadership turnover.