*Fresh beef available in the contiguous U.S. and Alaska, as well as Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the UK, and other select international markets. Investor Contact : Aaron Broholm Head of Investor Relations (614) 764-3345; [email protected] , /PRNewswire/ -- The Wendy's Company (Nasdaq: WEN) will release its third quarter 2025 results before the market opens on Friday, November 7. The Company will host a conference call that same day at 8:30 a.m. ET, with a simultaneous webcast accessible from the Company's ...

Industry Overview - The fast-food industry faced significant challenges entering 2025, including inflation eroding margins, shifting consumer tastes, and rising operating costs, leading to decreased traffic and weakened profitability [1] Company Performance - McDonald's managed to maintain stability through value-driven promotions and marketing discipline, which helped sustain demand and differentiate its performance from peers [2] - Analyst Jon Tower from Citigroup reaffirmed a "Buy" rating on McDonald's stock, raising the price target to $381, citing the company's strength from aggressive value offers, increased marketing spend, and favorable comparisons to previous weaker quarters [3] - McDonald's preserved affordability and customer loyalty by maintaining nationally advertised price points, subsidizing net profit losses in higher-cost markets [4] Future Outlook - Citi anticipates momentum for McDonald's through 2026, driven by new growth initiatives such as expanded beverage offerings, particularly in the energy drink sector, remodel cycles, and faster unit expansion, positioning the company to capture market share while competitors face declining traffic [5] Stock Performance - McDonald's stock has increased by 1.3% over the past 52 weeks and nearly 5% year-to-date, contrasting with the Invesco Dynamic Food & Beverage ETF, which has declined by 5% over the same period and nearly 2% year-to-date, highlighting McDonald's resilience in a challenging market [7]

Core Viewpoint - The Wendy's Company reported a decline in overall systemwide sales for the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to lower same-restaurant sales in the U.S., while the international segment showed strong growth. Operational Highlights - The company opened 44 new restaurants in the second quarter, totaling 118 new openings in the first half of 2025 [2] - International systemwide sales grew by 8.7%, while U.S. systemwide sales declined by 3.3% [2][5] - Same-restaurant sales growth in the U.S. was down 3.6%, compared to a 1.8% increase in the international segment [2][5] - The total restaurant count at the end of the quarter was 7,334, with 5,967 in the U.S. and 1,367 internationally [2] Financial Highlights - Total revenues for the second quarter were $560.9 million, a decrease of 1.7% from the previous year [4] - Adjusted revenues were $449.6 million, down 1.3% year-over-year [4] - U.S. Company-operated restaurant margin decreased to 16.2%, down from 16.5% [4][7] - Operating profit increased to $104.3 million, up 4.8% from the previous year [4][10] - Net income for the quarter was $55.1 million, a slight increase of 0.9% [4][11] - Reported diluted earnings per share were $0.29, reflecting a 7.4% increase [4][13] Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns - Cash flow from operations was $146.0 million, a 0.3% increase year-over-year [4] - The company returned $88.7 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [9] - The company repurchased 4.8 million shares for $61.9 million in the second quarter [15] 2025 Outlook - The company reaffirmed its global net unit growth target of 2-3% and capital expenditures between $165 million and $175 million [16] - The updated expectations for global systemwide sales growth are now between -5.0% to -3.0% [16] - Adjusted earnings per share are expected to be between $0.82 and $0.89, down from previous estimates [16]

Core Insights - Wendy's Company aims to accelerate global net unit growth, targeting 2,000 international restaurants by 2028, with 70% of this growth expected to occur outside the United States [1][4] Expansion in Italy - Wendy's has entered into an exclusive franchise agreement with Your Food S.R.L to develop 170 new restaurants in Italy by 2035, marking a significant step in European expansion [2] - The first two Wendy's locations in Italy are set to open in Milan by mid-2026, establishing a foundation for long-term growth in the region [2] Expansion in Armenia - An exclusive franchise agreement has been signed with Wen Restaurant LLC to develop 20 new Wendy's restaurants in Armenia by 2030, enhancing the brand's presence in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region [3] - The first location in Armenia is expected to open in Yerevan's city center, reflecting a commitment to redefining the quick service restaurant experience in the country [3] Leadership Statements - E.J. Wunsch, President of International at Wendy's, emphasized the success of the accelerated growth strategy and the brand's strong positioning for international scaling [4] - Mario Resca, Chairman of Your Food S.R.L, expressed pride in partnering with Wendy's to introduce a new quick service restaurant standard in Italy [4] - Hrant Grigoryan, CEO of Wen Restaurant LLC, highlighted the introduction of Wendy's fresh, made-to-order menu in Armenia, aiming to set a new standard in the region [4][8] Company Overview - Wendy's Company operates over 7,000 restaurants globally and is committed to delivering fresh, high-quality food, including its signature square hamburgers and other popular menu items [5]