Wendy's Franchisee Meritage Hospitality Voluntarily Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

03:17 PM EDT, 09/18/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Wendy's (WEN) franchisee Meritage Hospitality Group said Friday it has voluntarily filed for relief under Chapter 11 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan. The company said this move is expected to strengthen its balance sheet and establish a sustainable capital structure. Meritage currently operates 314 Wendy's, one Bojangles and five independently branded concepts across 15 states. The company said it expects to continue restaurant-level operations during the restructuring process and plans to pay its approximately 9,000 team members their wages and benefits, subject to court approval. Meritage is in the process of getting debtor-in-possession financing and expects this financing, along with cash from ongoing operations, to offer sufficient liquidity to support the business and meet its obligations throughout the Chapter 11 process, the company said. Price: 6.74, Change: -0.25, Percent Change: -3.58