Mar 30

Wendy's Q1 2025 Earnings Report

Wendy’s reported a decrease in revenue and earnings for Q1 2025 amid a challenging U.S. consumer environment.

Key Takeaways

Wendy’s experienced a decline in U.S. same-restaurant sales, impacting total revenue and net income. Despite this, international markets showed strong growth, and digital sales reached a new high. The company returned significant capital to shareholders and opened a net 68 new restaurants globally.

Global digital sales reached a record 20.3% of sales mix.

Net 68 new restaurants were opened globally in the quarter.

Returned $173.5 million to shareholders via dividends and repurchases.

International systemwide sales grew 8.9% despite a global sales decline.

Total Revenue
$523M
Previous year: $535M
-2.1%
EPS
$0.2
Previous year: $0.23
-13.0%
U.S. Same-Restaurant Sales
-2.8%
Previous year: 0.6%
-566.7%
Intl. Same-Restaurant Sales
2.3%
Previous year: 3.2%
-28.1%
Global Same-Restaurant Sales
-2.1%
Previous year: 0.9%
-333.3%
Cash and Equivalents
$335M
Previous year: $498M
-32.7%
Free Cash Flow
$68M
Previous year: $60.8M
+11.9%
Total Assets
$4.92B
Previous year: $5.19B
-5.2%

Wendy's

Wendy's

Wendy's Revenue by Segment

Wendy's Revenue by Geographic Location

Forward Guidance

Wendy’s updated its full-year outlook to reflect macroeconomic pressures in the U.S. while reaffirming key growth targets.

Positive Outlook

  • Reaffirmed global net unit growth of 2–3%
  • Capital expenditures expected at $100M to $110M
  • Free cash flow forecasted at $250M to $270M
  • Adjusted EPS guidance of $0.92 to $0.98
  • Adjusted EBITDA projected between $530M and $545M

Challenges Ahead

  • Lowered global systemwide sales growth to (2.0)% to flat
  • U.S. traffic and sales declined
  • Restaurant margin under pressure from inflation
  • Increase in interest expense impacted net income
  • Adjusted EBITDA declined year-over-year