Wendy's layoffs, on the record
Every job cut, severance charge and restructuring Wendy's reported in its annual reports, 2023 to 2025, quoted from the filings. Headcount went from approximately 15,300 to approximately 14,900.
Headcount, as reported
| Annual report | Employees | As of |
|---|---|---|
| 10-K for 2023 | approximately 15,300 | As of December 31, 2023 |
| 10-K for 2024 | approximately 14,500 | December 29, 2024 |
| 10-K for 2025 | approximately 14,900 | As of December 28, 2025 |
Job cuts, severance and restructuring
Our summaryThe company undertook an Organizational Redesign Plan following the succession of its President and Chief Executive Officer, with severance and related employee costs tied to employee terminations.
Word for word“As a result of the succession of the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company now expects to incur total costs of approximately $17 million to $19 million related to the Organizational Redesign Plan, of which approximately $15 million to $17 million will be cash expenditures expected through 2026.” 10-K for 2023
Our summaryThe company recorded severance and related employee costs of $6.2 million under the Organizational Redesign Plan in 2023, with accrued severance of $1.7 million remaining at year end.
Word for word“During 2023, the Company recognized costs totaling $9.1 million under the Organizational Redesign Plan, which primarily included severance and related employee costs of $6.2 million and share-based compensation of $1.3 million.” 10-K for 2023
Our summaryThe company recorded minor costs under its system optimization initiative, a program tied to acquisitions and dispositions that included past severance costs.
Word for word“During 2023, the Company recognized costs totaling $ 136 .” 10-K for 2023
Our summaryThe company ran an Organizational Redesign Plan, with costs mainly for severance and related employee costs, and recognized costs in 2024.
Word for word“During 2024, the Company recognized costs totaling $8.4 million, which primarily included severance and related employee costs.” 10-K for 2024
Our summaryThe company recognized Organizational Redesign Plan costs in 2024, including severance, recruitment, third-party costs and share-based compensation tied to employee terminations.
Word for word“During 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized costs totaling $ 8,367 and 9,064 , respectively, which primarily included severance and related employee costs and share-based compensation.” 10-K for 2024
Our summaryThe company expects total Organizational Redesign Plan costs of about $18 million, including succession costs for the CEO role, with further costs continuing into 2026.
Word for word“The Company expects to incur total costs of approximately $ 18,000 related to the Organizational Redesign Plan, including costs related to the succession of the President and Chief Executive Officer role.” 10-K for 2024
Our summaryThe company recognized Organizational Redesign Plan costs in 2023, mainly severance and related employee costs.
Word for word“During 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized costs under the Organizational Redesign Plan of $8.4 million and $9.1 million, respectively, which primarily included severance and related employee costs.” 10-K for 2024
Our summaryThe company recognized a small net credit in 2025 under its Organizational Redesign Plan, mainly from reversing a severance accrual after an estimate changed.
Word for word“During 2025, the Company recognized costs under the Organizational Redesign Plan of $(0.8) million, which primarily included a reversal of a severance accrual as a result of a change in estimate.” 10-K for 2025
Our summaryThe company expects total Organizational Redesign Plan costs of about $17 million, including costs tied to the 2024 CEO succession.
Word for word“The Company expects to incur total costs of approximately $ 17,000 related to the Organizational Redesign Plan, including costs related to the 2024 succession of the President and Chief Executive Officer role.” 10-K for 2025
Our summaryThe company said costs from its other reorganization and realignment plans were not material and it expects no material added costs.
Word for word“For 2025, 2024 and 2023, costs incurred under the Company’s other reorganization and realignment plans were not material.” 10-K for 2025
| Fiscal year ended | Restructuring charges |
|---|---|
| 2017-01-01 | $10.1 million |
| 2017-12-31 | $22.6 million |
| 2018-12-30 | $9.1 million |
| 2019-12-29 | $17 million |
| 2021-01-03 | $16 million |
| 2022-01-02 | $8.5 million |
| 2023-01-01 | $698,000 |
| 2023-12-31 | $9.2 million |
| 2024-12-29 | $8.5 million |
| 2025-12-28 | −$125,000 |
Wendy's filed 2 restructuring notices (Form 8-K, Item 2.05) since 2016. This page shows what the company reported to the SEC, not news reports or state layoff notices.
Read from Wendy's’s annual reports (10-K for 2025, 10-K for 2024, 10-K for 2023) and the financial data it files with the SEC, as of 2026-02-23. Every quotation is word for word from the filing linked beside it; how these pages are built and checked. The full record is in its company data sheet.