A major Wendy’s franchisee with 314 stores just filed for bankruptcy. What it means for the burger chain’s footprint

Despite being the third-largest fast-food hamburger chain in the world and the second-largest in the U.S. after McDonald’s, Wendy’s has struggled lately with declining sales and a shrinking store footprint. This week, another worrying sign suggests that the brand’s troubles are far from over. One of Wendy’s largest franchisees, Meritage Hospitality Group Inc., which runs 314 Wendy’s locations, is