Core Insights - The fast-food burger industry is experiencing significant closures as chains reassess their restaurant locations due to over-expansion and declining sales [2][3][4]. Company Actions - Hardee's closed 8 locations across North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Pennsylvania between August and December 2025 [3]. - Wendy's plans to close 300 locations in the fourth quarter of 2025 and into 2026, attributing this to decreased store traffic and sales [3]. - Burger King closed four U.S. locations in 2025, following the closure of six locations in 2024 [5][6]. - Whataburger is closing eight restaurant locations in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee as part of its operational review [7][9]. Franchise Issues - Consolidated Burger Holdings LLC, a Burger King franchisee, filed for Chapter 11 protection in April 2025, having been involved in a legal dispute with Burger King since 2019 [4].