Wendy’s (NASDAQ:WEN) saw its shares rise over 1% intra-day today after reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter revenue, though its 2025 earnings outlook came in slightly below analyst forecasts.
For Q4, the fast-food chain posted revenue of $574.3 million, exceeding analyst estimates of $563.99 million. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.25, slightly above the $0.24 consensus.
Wendy’s global systemwide sales increased 5.4% year-over-year to $3.7 billion, fueled by same-restaurant sales growth of 4.3%. In the U.S., same-restaurant sales rose 4.1%, while international markets saw a stronger 4.9% increase.
For the full year 2024, systemwide sales climbed 3.1% to $14.5 billion, marking Wendy’s 14th consecutive year of global same-restaurant sales growth.
However, the company’s 2025 guidance underwhelmed investors. Wendy’s expects adjusted EPS between $0.98 and $1.02, below the $1.04 consensus estimate. Additionally, global systemwide sales are projected to grow 2% to 3%, signaling a moderation in expansion.