Karma served cold? Wendy’s faces massive closures months after mocking Katy Perry space voyage

The fast-food giant Wendy’s has found itself in an unappetizing spotlight again — but this time, it’s not about spicy nuggets or cheeky Twitter comebacks. Months after trolling pop superstar Katy Perry for her Blue Origin spaceflight, the company is reportedly shutting down hundreds of locations across the United States amid steep competition, rising costs, and a consumer spending crunch.

According to CNN and other reports, 200 to 350 Wendy’s restaurants could shutter as part of a “turnaround plan” led by interim CEO Ken Cook. The move is meant to refocus resources on stronger-performing outlets and boost overall profitability. But for many observers, the timing of Wendy’s struggles has not gone unnoticed — especially by Perry’s manager, Bradford Cobb, who appeared to savor the news with a not-so-subtle jab on Instagram.

Back in April, Wendy’s took a swipe at Perry’s 11-minute suborbital journey aboard Blue Origin by replying to a viral post with, “Can we send her back?” The brand even mocked her landing photo, captioning it “I kissed the ground and I liked it.” Though the company later apologized, calling it all “good-natured fun,” the internet never forgets — and neither, it seems, does Perry’s camp.

Cobb recently reposted a KTLA graphic announcing Wendy’s closures, a move fans quickly interpreted as payback. For a brand that prides itself on sass and humor, Wendy’s might now be learning that every roast comes with consequences.

Behind the Burgers: Why Wendy’s Is Struggling

Beyond pop culture feuds, Wendy’s financial plate is looking sparse. The company has long marketed itself as a higher-quality fast-food chain — fresh beef, hand-cut fries, and pricier combos — but that premium positioning is backfiring amid ongoing inflation.

Consumers, now pinching pennies, are migrating to cheaper casual dining deals, like Chili’s “3 for Me” combo, which offers a full meal for just $10.99 — nearly the same as Wendy’s Dave’s Combo at many locations. Meanwhile, Wendy’s competitors, from McDonald’s to Chick-fil-A, are thriving by adapting faster to value-conscious trends.

A report from Restaurant365 shows that 91% of restaurant operators have seen food costs rise this year, while 82% report higher labor expenses. For Wendy’s, that squeeze means underperforming outlets can no longer stay afloat. Cook confirmed that closing weaker restaurants will allow franchisees to “reinvest in stronger locations” and ultimately improve brand health.

But for many employees, customers, and communities, the closures represent more than numbers — they’re job losses and fading neighborhood icons.

From Burger Battles to Brand Survival

The fast-food industry has always been a war zone — and Wendy’s once thrived on its bold voice and “fresh, never frozen” mantra. But as economic turbulence grows and consumers tighten their wallets, the once-dominant burger chain faces its toughest fight yet.

In contrast, Chick-fil-A continues to defy the odds. With a 5.4% year-over-year sales increase and new openings generating massive crowds, the chicken powerhouse has become America’s fast-food darling — the very model of consistency and brand trust that Wendy’s once embodied.

While Wendy’s leadership insists the closures are part of a strategic realignment, the optics tell another story — one of overconfidence, market shifts, and a touch of poetic justice.

As Bradford Cobb’s social media post subtly hinted: sometimes, karma doesn’t need fries to be served hot.

FAQ

Q1: Why is Wendy’s closing so many restaurants?
Wendy’s is shutting down 200–350 underperforming locations as part of a corporate restructuring plan to reduce losses and improve efficiency.

Q2: Did Wendy’s mock Katy Perry?
Yes. Wendy’s official X (Twitter) account made several jokes about Katy Perry’s Blue Origin space trip earlier this year, which sparked backlash and later led to an apology.

Q3: Are all Wendy’s restaurants closing?
No. Only a small percentage of U.S. outlets — mostly low-performing ones — will close between 2025 and 2026.

Q4: How is Wendy’s performing compared to competitors?
While Wendy’s reported declining U.S. same-store sales (–4.7%), McDonald’s, Burger King, and Chick-fil-A all posted positive growth during the same period.

Q5: Is this the end of Wendy’s?
Not necessarily. The brand remains profitable overall and is focusing on restructuring, but it faces stiff competition and rising costs