MONTANA- While Montana's wide-open spaces often provide a buffer against national economic trends, the "March Purge" of 2026 is officially hitting Big Sky Country. As major corporations pivot toward digital-only models and contend with rising costs of transporting goods to the rural West, several household names are trimming their Montana presence.
From the Gallatin Valley to the Magic City, here are the three major restaurant chains closing doors in Montana this March 2026.
1. Pizza Hut: The End of the "Red Roof" Era
As part of the parent company, Yum! Brands’ massive "Hut Forward" initiative is shuttering approximately 250 underperforming locations nationwide this spring. Montana's iconic "Red Roof" buildings—longtime staples for post-game celebrations—are among the primary targets.
- The Targets: The company is aggressively moving away from large-format buildings that include dining rooms and salad bars. In cities like Billings and Missoula, these legacy sites are being scrutinized in favor of tiny, delivery-only hubs.
- The Reason: In the 2026 economy, the cost of heating and staffing a 3,000-square-foot dining room during a Montana winter no longer makes sense for a brand that sees the vast majority of its business through an app.
2. Wendy’s: Trimming the "System Health"
In a major strategic shift, Wendy’s is in the process of closing up to 350 underperforming restaurants through the end of 2026. This March marks a significant wave of these closures, specifically targeting older units in "weaker trade areas."
- The Montana Impact: While Wendy’s remains a fast-food powerhouse, older locations that haven't been modernized with digital menu boards and "global flagship" designs are at risk.
- The Strategy: Interim CEO Ken Cook stated that these closures are designed to "strengthen the system" by removing low-volume sites that drag down regional profitability, enabling the company to reinvest in newer, high-tech locations in growing markets such as Bozeman.
3. Noodles & Company: Culling "Negative Cash Flow"
The Colorado-based pasta chain is entering March with plans to close another 30 to 35 units nationwide. After already shrinking its footprint in 2025, the brand is looking to stabilize its financial position by cutting loose its most expensive leases.
- The Price Point Struggle: Industry analysts point to "pricing fatigue" as a major factor. In Montana, where diners have become increasingly sensitive to fast-casual price hikes, the brand has struggled to maintain foot traffic.
- The Strategy: CEO Joe Christina has been vocal about removing "negative cash flow" restaurants. Locations in high-rent retail centers that aren't hitting specific volume targets are being quietly closed as their March lease renewals come due.
The Montana "Logistics" Factor
Why is this trend hitting Montana so visibly this month?
- The "Last Mile" Cost: National chains are facing unprecedented costs to supply remote locations in Montana. With fuel and logistics prices remaining high in early 2026, many brands are choosing to exit "high-effort" markets.
- The Labor Gap: Montana’s persistent labor shortage in the service sector has made it nearly impossible for legacy chains to staff 24/7 or during high-volume hours, reducing profitability and ultimately leading to closure.
- The Real Estate Shift: In booming areas like the Flathead Valley, the land beneath these older restaurants has become so valuable that corporate owners are often choosing to sell the property for redevelopment rather than sign another long-term lease.
