UTAH - As the snow begins to melt across the Wasatch Front this March 2026, Utah’s dining scene is seeing a significant "portfolio reset." While the state’s population continues to grow, major national chains are struggling to balance rising labor costs and a consumer base that is increasingly choosing local craft options or high-tech, fast-casual convenience.
From the Silicon Slopes to the streets of St. George, several familiar signs are scheduled to come down this month. Here are the major restaurant chains closing doors in Utah this March.
1. Noodles & Company: Trimming the Utah Footprint
The most notable shift for Utah pasta fans involves Noodles & Company. The Colorado-based chain, which has a significant presence in the Beehive State, recently confirmed it will close an additional 30 to 35 company-owned locations nationwide this year.
- The Reason: CEO Joe Christina noted that the company is "refining the portfolio" to move away from underperforming units that haven't adopted the recent menu upgrades or digital-first ordering shifts.
- The Utah Impact: Keep an eye on locations in aging suburban shopping centers. As leases expire this March, several underperforming Utah units are expected to go dark as the brand attempts to consolidate sales into its most profitable "high-momentum" stores.
2. Pizza Hut: Saying Goodbye to the "Red Roof"
Utah is currently being impacted by Pizza Hut’s massive "Hut Forward" initiative. Parent company Yum! Brands is shuttering approximately 250 locations in the first half of 2026.
- The Strategy: The brand is abandoning the traditional dine-in restaurant model in favor of smaller, delivery-only kiosks and "Delco" (delivery/carryout) units.
- Local Outlook: In a state that loves family-sized dining, the loss of traditional dine-in Pizza Huts is notable. Several older standalone buildings in the Salt Lake Valley and Ogden are slated for closure this month as their leases are not renewed.
3. Denny’s: The Sunset of 24-Hour Dining
Following its recent sale to a private equity group, Denny’s is finishing a "surgical" reduction of its footprint, closing roughly 150 underperforming diners through 2026.
- The Change: The new owners are targeting locations that can no longer sustain a 24-hour business model due to rising overnight labor costs or those in buildings that are "unsuitable for renovation."
- Utah Connection: Utah has historically been a strong market for the chain, but several franchise locations—particularly those near highway interchanges that have seen a dip in late-night travel—are being reviewed for closure this March.
4. Wendy’s: Modernizing the Drive-Thru
Even the heavy hitters are feeling the pressure. Wendy’s is moving forward with a plan to close up to 300 "outdated" restaurants globally by the end of the year.
- The Goal: The brand is culling older units that cannot support "Global Next Gen" features, such as dedicated mobile-order pickup windows and advanced kitchen automation.
- What to Watch: In Utah, this mostly affects older units in high-traffic corridors that lack the space to be retrofitted for the brand's new tech-heavy standards.
Why Utah is Seeing These Closures
Local industry experts point to three main factors driving the March 2026 closures in Utah:
- The "Value Conscious" Climate: With households facing higher everyday costs, many Utah families are opting for "value-centric" bundles or eating at home, putting pressure on mid-tier chains.
- Labor and Margin Pressure: Utah's competitive labor market has made staffing underperforming units increasingly expensive, leading corporate offices to cut their losses.
- Shift to "Local Comfort": There is a growing trend in Utah toward "global comfort" and "vibe dining." Diners are increasingly choosing local upstarts like Laziz Kitchen or modern concepts like Smashed Burgers over traditional national chains.
Note for Diners: If you have points in a rewards app for any of these chains, now is the time to redeem them. While the brands are staying in the state, your local neighborhood branch may be among those turning off the lights.