Wendy's (WEN) Earnings Dates, Call Summary & Reports

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Earnings Data

Report Date

Aug 12, 2026

After Close (Confirmed)

Period Ending

2026 (Q2)

Consensus EPS Forecast

0.17

Last Year’s EPS

0.29

Same Quarter Last Year

Analyst Consensus

Hold

Based on 17 Analysts Ratings

Earnings Call Summary

Q1 2026

Earnings Call Date:May 08, 2026|

% Change Since:

Earnings Call Sentiment|Neutral

The call reflected a balanced narrative: clear operational and international growth progress (notably the China agreement, digital growth, and operational improvements) provided positive momentum and early proof points for the Project Fresh turnaround. However, meaningful near-term top-line weakness in the U.S., margin pressure from commodity and labor inflation, franchisee profitability declines, and a planned system-optimization headwind temper the outlook. Management maintained guidance and emphasized sequencing of initiatives that should drive sequential improvement, but significant near-term recovery is still required.

Company Guidance

The company reiterated full‑year 2026 guidance calling for global system‑wide sales to be approximately flat (with a mid‑single‑digit decline expected in Q2 and a return to growth in the back half, aided by a 53rd week), adjusted EBITDA of $460–$480 million, adjusted EPS of $0.56–$0.60, U.S. company‑operated restaurant margin of 13% ±50 bps (assuming ~4% labor inflation and ~4% commodity cost inflation), and G&A of roughly $295 million; capital expenditures (including Build‑to‑Suit) are $120–$130 million with free cash flow forecast at $190–$205 million. They flagged a $15–$20 million net revenue headwind from system optimization (affecting ~5–6% of the U.S. system) and said they expect to remain near the top end of their net‑leverage target range of 3.5x–5x (net leverage was 4.9x at quarter‑end with $338 million cash). Quarterly and operational metrics disclosed included Q1 global system‑wide sales down 5.5% (U.S. same‑restaurant sales down 7.8%, International system‑wide sales +6%), Q1 adjusted EBITDA $111.3 million, Q1 adjusted EPS $0.12, Q1 free cash flow $36.5 million (down $31.5 million YoY), Q1 CapEx $16.5 million (≈$5.4M technology, $9.1M restaurant development), company‑operated margins: global 10.8% and U.S. 11.4%, U.S. digital sales +8.4% with 22.7% digital mix, and franchisee 2025 performance: U.S. avg net sales ≈‑6% with avg EBITDA margin down 270 bps to 9.3% (Canada: +1% net sales, EBITDA margin down 160 bps to 12.6%); dividend was maintained at $0.14/share and ~$35 million of repurchase authorization remains.

International Growth and Major China Agreement

International system-wide sales grew 6% in Q1 and Wendy's signed a franchise agreement to build up to 1,000 restaurants in China over the next 10 years — the largest development agreement in company history, strengthening the international development pipeline.

Solid Digital Traction

U.S. digital sales grew 8.4% in the quarter with a digital mix of 22.7%; company integrated an AI recommendation engine into the mobile app to improve ordering relevance and engagement.

Operational Improvements Driving Outperformance

Company-operated restaurants that fully implemented operational initiatives outperformed the U.S. system by ~310 basis points; highest customer-satisfaction restaurants outperformed the lowest by ~400–500 basis points, validating the operational playbook.

Menu and Brand Enhancements

Launched Biggie Deals ($4/$6/$8) as an everyday value platform; introduced upgraded hamburger buns, condiments and the most significant spicy chicken sandwich upgrade in history; fan-driven Bring-It-Back Bracket will return the Pretzel Bacon Pub Cheeseburger later in the year.

Early Proof Points on Store Execution

Expanded menu item label printer rollout from under 50% to ~85% of restaurants, contributing to a 170 bp improvement in accuracy scores; White Glove program helped cleanliness scores increase ~160 bps.

Financial Results and Liquidity

Q1 adjusted EBITDA was $111.3M and adjusted EPS was $0.12; total adjusted revenue $432.3M (up $9.2M vs prior year); ended the quarter with $338M cash and generated $36.5M free cash flow.

Maintained Full-Year 2026 Outlook

Company reaffirmed full-year targets: global system-wide sales approximately flat, adjusted EBITDA $460–$480M, adjusted EPS $0.56–$0.60, U.S. company-operated margin ~13% ±50 bps, CapEx $120–$130M and free cash flow $190–$205M.

Capital Allocation Priorities and Dividend

Priorities: invest in profitable AUV growth, pay an attractive dividend, maintain a strong balance sheet and opportunistic buybacks; announced quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share and ~$35M remaining repurchase authorization.

Wendy's (WEN) Earnings, Revenues Date & History

The upcoming earnings date is based on a company’s previous reporting, and may be updated when the actual date is announced

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WEN Earnings History

Report Date	Fiscal Quarter	Forecast / EPS	Last Year's EPS	EPS YoY Change	Slides	Play Transcript
Aug 12, 2026	2026 (Q2)	0.17 / -	0.29	―	―	―
May 08, 2026	2026 (Q1)	0.10 / 0.12	0.2	-40.00% (-0.08)
Feb 13, 2026	2025 (Q4)	0.14 / 0.16	0.25	-36.00% (-0.09)
Nov 07, 2025	2025 (Q3)	0.20 / 0.24	0.25	-4.00% (-0.01)
Aug 08, 2025	2025 (Q2)	0.25 / 0.29	0.27	7.41% (+0.02)
May 02, 2025	2025 (Q1)	0.20 / 0.20	0.23	-13.04% (-0.03)
Feb 13, 2025	2024 (Q4)	0.24 / 0.25	0.21	19.05% (+0.04)
Oct 31, 2024	2024 (Q3)	0.25 / 0.25	0.27	-7.41% (-0.02)
Aug 01, 2024	2024 (Q2)	0.28 / 0.27	0.24	12.50% (+0.03)
May 02, 2024	2024 (Q1)	0.21 / 0.23	0.21	9.52% (+0.02)

The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.

Beat

Missed

WEN Earnings-Related Price Changes

Report Date	Price 1 Day Before	Price 1 Day After	Percentage Change
May 08, 2026	$6.82	$7.17	+5.04%
Feb 13, 2026	$7.01	$7.21	+2.88%
Nov 07, 2025	$8.37	$8.50	+1.59%
Aug 08, 2025	$9.32	$9.44	+1.31%

Earnings announcements can affect a stock’s price. This table shows the stock's price the day before and the day after recent earnings reports, including the percentage change.