IDAHO - As Idaho moves through March 2026, the state’s dining landscape is undergoing a significant "portfolio reset." While Idaho remains one of the fastest-growing states in the country, the rising costs of labor and a shift toward digital-first service are forcing several national giants to trim their "legacy" footprints in the Gem State.
If you’re planning a family dinner or a late-night run this month, you may find some familiar signs have come down. Here are the major restaurant chains closing doors in Idaho this March.
1. Denny’s: The Sunset of 24-Hour Dining
The most notable change for Idaho’s late-night crowd involves Denny’s. Following its sale to a private equity group, the chain is finishing a "surgical" reduction of its footprint, closing roughly 150 underperforming diners nationwide through early 2026.
- Idaho Impact: Specific locations in Boise (Airport Way) and Nampa (Northside Blvd) have recently turned off their neon signs.
- The Reason: The new ownership is targeting older franchise locations that can no longer sustain a 24-hour model due to rising overnight labor costs and buildings that are "unsuitable for renovation."
2. Pizza Hut: The "Hut Forward" Shift
Idaho is also being impacted by Pizza Hut’s massive national restructuring. Parent company Yum! Brands is in the process of closing approximately 250 underperforming locations in the first half of 2026.
- The Strategy: The brand is moving away from the classic "red roof" dine-in experience to focus on smaller, delivery-centric "Delco" units.
- Local Outlook: While the brand isn't leaving Idaho, several older units—particularly those in suburban pockets where property taxes have risen—are slated for closure this month as their leases expire.
3. Wendy’s: Modernizing the Hometown Footprint
Even the pride of the drive-thru isn't immune. Wendy’s is moving forward with its plan to close up to 300 "outdated" locations globally through 2026, replacing them with high-tech "Global Next Gen" units.
- The Goal: The company is culling stores that generate lower-than-average sales and lack the capability for dedicated mobile-order drive-thru lanes.
- What to Watch: Idaho locations that haven't been remodeled in the last decade are the most at risk this March.
4. Noodles & Company: Refining the Portfolio
The fast-casual pasta giant Noodles & Company has confirmed it will close between 30 and 35 company-owned restaurants in 2026.
- The Factor: Despite a menu overhaul, the company is struggling with "slower guest adoption" in certain markets.
- Local Focus: The closures are targeting sites in office-heavy corridors where remote work has permanently altered the lunchtime rush.
Why Idaho is Seeing This Shift
Industry analysts note that Idaho faces unique pressures that are accelerating these closures:
- Rapid Development: As new, high-tech commercial plazas open in the Treasure Valley, older "legacy" chain buildings are finding it harder to compete for visibility and foot traffic.
- The "Value Gap": With the cost of dining out rising, many Idahoans are increasingly choosing either high-quality local independent restaurants or "grocerant" options (prepared meals from stores like WinCo or Albertsons).
- Labor Costs: Idaho's competitive labor market has made it increasingly expensive to staff underperforming units, leading corporate offices to consolidate their resources into their most profitable locations.
Tip for Diners: Before heading out to your favorite chain this month, check their mobile app. Often, a location will be removed from the "Order Now" list a few days before the doors officially close.
