Two Wendy's coming to Manatee amid nationwide cutback

Although Wendy’s hasn’t specified which of its 350 restaurants will close as part of a nationwide plan, the fast-food giant announced recently it’s opening two locations in Manatee County this month.

A Parrish store on U.S. 301 and a Palmetto store on Moccasin Wallow Road will feature the company’s latest design and décor, according to a release from the developer of the two stores, CASTO, based in Columbus, Ohio. About 60 entry-level and career-level jobs will be created, the release says.

The Parrish location is adjacent to Fort Hamer Road. The Palmetto location is just east of Interstate 75.

Last week, Wendy’s followed up on plans announced in 2025 to roll out “Project Fresh,’’ meant to address same-store sales that have trailed off in recent years by 2028. About 30 stores closed in late 2025 and more are planned in the first half of 2026, though exact locations have not been publicly announced.

“Wendy’s board of directors and management team are dissatisfied with the current valuation of the company and have been working to put the company on the right path to create value for our franchisees, employees and shareholders,” Art Winkleback, chairman of Wendy’s board, says in an Oct. 9 press release.

More than 5,800 stores operate in the United States, about 500 of them in Florida.