Wendy`s Co - Class A
Q3 2025 Earnings
Market Reaction
S&P 500 over the same 30 days: +2.47%.
Did WEN Beat Earnings? Q3 2025 Results
Wendy's delivered a stronger-than-expected quarter in Q3 2025, with adjusted earnings per share of $0.24 beating the $0.20 consensus estimate by 22.95%, even as revenue slipped 3.0% year-over-year to $549.52 million, which still cleared Wall Street's $534.51 million estimate by 2.81%. The headline beat masked a genuinely difficult domestic backdrop: U.S. same-restaurant sales fell 4.7%, dragging global systemwide sales down 2.6% to $3.54 billion, while Company-operated restaurant margins contracted sharply to 13.1% from 15.6% a year ago under pressure from commodity inflation and labor cost increases. Adjusted EBITDA rose 2.1% to $138.04 million, helped by reduced advertising spend and lower G&A expenses. Interim CEO Ken Cook unveiled "Project Fresh," a turnaround plan aimed at brand revitalization and operational improvement, even as reports suggest the company may close hundreds of underperforming U.S. locations. Wendy's reaffirmed its 2025 adjusted EPS guidance of $0.82 to $0.89 and raised its free cash flow outlook to $195 to $210 million, up $35 million at the midpoint.
- International systemwide sales grew 8.6% with growth across all regions
- Company-operated restaurants outperformed the U.S. system by 4% on comparable sales
- Decrease in Company's funding of incremental advertising spend
- Lower general and administrative expense driven by lower share-based compensation
- U.S. same-restaurant sales declined 4.7%
- U.S. Company-operated restaurant margin decreased to 13.1% from 15.6% due to commodity inflation, traffic decline, and labor rate inflation
“Third quarter results were in line with our expectations, reflecting continued strength in our international business with 8.6% systemwide sales growth, the addition of 54 new restaurants globally and adjusted EBITDA growth.”
Wendy's CEO, on the earnings call
Forward Guidance & Outlook
The company reaffirmed its 2025 guidance: global systemwide sales growth of (5.0)% to (3.0)%, adjusted EBITDA of $505 to $525 million, adjusted EPS of $0.82 to $0.89, and global net new unit growth of 2% to 3%. The company now expects capital expenditures and franchise development fund investments of $135 to $145 million (reduced from $165 to $175 million) and free cash flow of $195 to $210 million (increased from $160 to $175 million), representing a $35 million increase at the midpoint.
WEN YoY Financials
WEN Revenue by Segment
Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.