NEW HAMPSHIRE - While New Hampshire is often a bright spot for growth in New England, the "March Purge" of 2026 is officially reaching the Granite State. As national parent companies pivot toward digital-only models and battle the rising costs of heating and logistics in the North, several household names are trimming their New Hampshire footprints.
From the Seacoast to the North Country, here are the three major restaurant chains closing doors in New Hampshire this March 2026.
1. Pizza Hut: Saying Goodbye to the "Red Roof"
As part of parent company Yum! Brands' massive "Hut Forward" initiative, approximately 250 underperforming locations are being shuttered nationwide in the first half of 2026. This March marks the peak of these closures for New Hampshire's legacy buildings.
- The Targets: The brand is aggressively moving away from its iconic "Red Roof" buildings that feature large dining rooms and salad bars. In New Hampshire, where heating costs for large legacy spaces are high, the brand is prioritizing tiny, delivery-only storefronts.
- The Reason: In the 2026 economy, the cost of heating and staffing a 3,000-square-foot dining room during a Granite State winter—for a business that is now almost entirely app-based—no longer makes financial sense.
2. Wendy’s: Trimming the "System Health"
Following a strategic review, Wendy’s is in the process of closing up to 350 underperforming restaurants through 2026. A significant wave of these "surgical closures" is hitting New Hampshire franchises this March.
- The Reason: Interim CEO Ken Cook stated that the closures target "consistently underperforming" units in older buildings or weaker trade areas.
- The New Hampshire Angle: While Wendy’s remains a staple in the state, older units that haven't been modernized with digital menu boards and "Global Flagship" designs are at risk. The company is betting that by closing these low-volume sites, they can better support their more modern, high-traffic locations.
3. Denny’s: Finalizing the 150-Store Purge
Following a major $620 million buyout by private investors, Denny’s is completing its nationwide "surgical" reduction of underperforming sites. While some New England locations vanished in late 2025, the final wave of closures is hitting the region this March.
- The Impact: Legacy sites that have struggled to maintain 24/7 operations due to New Hampshire’s persistent labor shortage are the primary targets.
- The Strategy: The new owners are prioritizing "net positive growth." For New Hampshire franchisees, high utility costs and the expense of transporting food have made these older, high-overhead diners a prime target for closure this month.
The New Hampshire "Logistics" Factor
Why is this trend hitting New Hampshire so visibly right now?
- The "Last Mile" Cost: National chains are facing unprecedented costs to supply remote New Hampshire locations. With fuel and freight prices remaining high in early 2026, many brands are choosing to exit "high-effort" markets.
- The Labor Gap: New Hampshire’s tight service-sector labor market has made it nearly impossible for legacy chains to staff high-volume hours without paying well above the national average, leading to reduced profitability.
- The Real Estate Shift: In growing hubs like Portsmouth and Manchester, the land underneath these older restaurants has often become more valuable than the restaurant itself, prompting corporate owners to sell the property to developers.
