These Restaurant Chains Are Expected To Close Locations In 2026 - Tasting Table

"It's been a rough few years for restaurants, and many chains are making changes in 2026 to try to keep themselves afloat. It's certainly a change or die situation for restaurants right now, with the price of food up a third since 2019 and customers still attempting to stay within budget."

"Black Box Intelligence (via Restaurant Dive) estimates that 15% of existing restaurants will end up closing their doors in 2026, with those numbers especially affecting full-service restaurants. Although, if all goes well, cutting off the underperforming units should strengthen these brands."

"Many restaurants on our list that are closing locations in 2026 are well-known. For some, the closures represent as few as 4% of their U.S.-based restaurants. For others, the cuts represent almost a full 100%."

The restaurant industry faces significant challenges in 2026, with approximately 15% of existing restaurants closing locations due to rising food costs and changing consumer spending habits. While these closures represent a critical moment for the industry, most chains are not disappearing entirely but rather shutting down underperforming units to strengthen their overall brands. Restaurants are adapting through changes in marketing, menus, and technology implementation. Full-service restaurants are particularly affected by these closures. Well-known chains including Wendy's are among those closing multiple locations, with some chains closing as few as 4% of U.S. locations while others face cuts approaching 100%. The closures reflect a necessary restructuring as the industry attempts to remain viable in a challenging economic environment.

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