ALASKA - While the "Last Frontier" often feels like its own world, the economic storms of 2026 are officially reaching Alaska's shores. This March, three major national restaurant chains are set to trim their footprints in the state as they battle the "Last Mile" logistics of the Far North and a national shift toward leaner, digital-first operations.
From Anchorage to Fairbanks, here are the three major restaurant chains closing doors in Alaska this March 2026.
1. Pizza Hut: The "Red Roof" Sunset
As part of the 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 Alaska’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 Alaska, where these buildings have been a staple for decades, the focus is shifting to tiny, delivery-only storefronts.
- The Reason: In the 2026 economy, the cost of heating and staffing a 3,000-square-foot dining room in the Alaska winter no longer makes sense for a brand that sees over 90% of its business through an app.
2. Denny's: The Final Wave of the 150-Store Purge
Following a major buyout by private investors, Denny’s is completing its nationwide "surgical" reduction of 150 underperforming sites. While several Lower 48 locations vanished in late 2025, the final casualties in the North are being processed this March.
- The Impact: Legacy sites that have struggled to maintain 24-hour operations due to Alaska’s persistent labor shortage are the primary targets.
- The Strategy: The new owners are prioritizing "net positive growth." For Alaska franchisees, high utility costs and the immense expense of transporting food have made these older, high-overhead diners a prime target for closure this month.
3. Wendy’s: Trimming the "System Health"
In a strategic move to boost stock value, Wendy’s is in the middle of closing up to 350 underperforming restaurants through the end of 2026. A significant wave of these "surgical closures" is hitting Alaska 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 Alaska Angle: While Wendy’s remains popular, 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, it can better support its more modern, high-traffic locations in growing hubs like Anchorage.
The Alaska "Logistics" Factor
Why is this trend hitting Alaska so visibly right now?
- The "Last Mile" Cost: National chains are facing unprecedented costs to supply remote locations in Alaska. With fuel and freight prices remaining high in early 2026, many brands are choosing to exit "high-effort" markets.
- The Labor Gap: Alaska’s tight service-sector labor market has made it nearly impossible for legacy chains to staff during peak hours, reducing profitability and ultimately leading to closure.
- The Delivery Shift: Just like in the Lower 48, Alaskans are increasingly choosing app-based delivery. For chains with massive dining rooms, the math no longer works in a state with some of the highest commercial energy rates in the country.
