By Mark Kalinowski
Published on August 5, 2020 at 12:00 AM
Earlier today, Wendy’s (WEN; Buy, $23.81) reported adjusted EPS of $0.12, matching our recently-raised $0.12 forecast, and coming in one cent above sell-side consensus (according to Consensus Metrix) of $0.11. Although company-operated restaurantlevel margins in Q2 at 14.4% were down year-over-year, they still amounted to a figure above our 12.0% projection and consensus of 11.3%. Wendy’s cites “a higher average check, labor efficiencies, and other dining room closure related efficiencies” as positive factors. Management also pointed to quicker drive-thru speeds.
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By Mark Kalinowski
Published on July 14, 2020 at 12:00 AM
The Wendy’s Rewards loyalty program isn’t the only initiative Wendy’s (WEN; Neutral, $21.43) has on tap for the near future. We look for Wendy U.S. to launch a Pretzel Pub Burger, a Pretzel Pub Chicken Sandwich, and Pretzel Pub Fries — likely fairly soon, and nationwide. After an approximate five-year hiatus from when it last sold the Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger and the Pretzel Pub Chicken Sandwich, Wendy’s likely has some pent-up demand amongst its guests for these menu items’ return.
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By Mark Kalinowski
Published on June 30, 2020 at 12:00 AM
Wendy’s (WEN; Neutral, $21.66) is getting closer than ever to launching its loyalty program — apparently to be called “Wendy’s Rewards” — for U.S. guests. On Wendy’s May 6th conference call, CEO Todd Penegor stated that “As we have stressed before, frequency remains an opportunity for us. And it will be more important than ever, as normal routines resume in the months to come. We will be looking to our loyalty program to help us solve for this, and the team has been preparing diligently for a launch in the near future. We believe that we have built a loyalty program that people will love. And we could not be more excited to get this into the hands of our customers.”
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