# Wendy's franchisee closes 33 stores in bankruptcy push

> Meritage Hospitality Group has shuttered over 30 locations since filing for Chapter 11, with 13 more closing this weekend across seven states.
- Title: Wendy's franchisee closes 33 stores in bankruptcy push
- Summary: Meritage Hospitality Group has shuttered over 30 locations since filing for Chapter 11, with 13 more closing this weekend across seven states. Meritage…
- Keywords: wendy's, meritage hospitality group, chapter 11 bankruptcy, store closures, fast food, franchisee, closes, stores, bankruptcy, push, Fastcompany
- Source: Fastcompany — https://fastcompany.com/91625154/wendys-store-closures-update-see-newest-list-doomed-locations
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: wendy's, meritage hospitality group, chapter 11 bankruptcy, store closures, fast food, franchisee
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Meritage Hospitality Group, one of Wendy's largest franchisees, is closing over 30 stores following Chapter 11 bankruptcy, marking the fourth consecutive weekend of closures.