Meritage closes 13 more Wendy's this weekend

Lawyers for Meritage Hospitality Group told a bankruptcy court that thirteen additional Wendy's stores would close as of Friday, continuing weeks of closures.

Locations span seven states

The thirteen stores slated for closure are located in Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Texas.

Fourth weekend of closures

This marks the fourth weekend in a row that Meritage has instituted rounds of restaurant closures since the embattled operator filed for bankruptcy.

Thirty locations already closed

The thirteen stores add to twenty restaurants that Meritage has closed on previous Fridays since September twenty-fifth.

Meritage was a major Wendy's operator

At the time of its bankruptcy petition, Michigan-based Meritage operated three hundred fourteen stores, making it one of the biggest restaurant owners in the Wendy's system.

From hotels to Wendy's franchisee

The company, originally a hotelier, has operated Wendy's stores since the late nineteen nineties.

Wendy's sought to terminate franchise

Court documents show The Wendy's Company had moved to terminate Meritage's franchise agreement before the bankruptcy process began and has since sought more control.

Wendy's says it works case by case

A Wendy's spokesperson said the company works on a case-by-case basis with struggling operators to help determine the best way forward for the system.

“While restaurant decisions occur from time-to-time, our goal is to preserve operations, improve restaurant performance and position the Wendy's system for sustainable long-term growth.”