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Jul 04, 2021

Wendy's Q2 2021 Earnings Report

Wendy's performance was driven by robust sales growth and exceeded expectations, leading to restaurant-level margins above 20% and record profits.

Key Takeaways

Wendy's reported strong second-quarter results, driven by sales significantly exceeding expectations. The company increased its 2021 financial outlook across all key metrics and raised its 2025 global restaurant target to 8,500-9,000.

Systemwide sales growth was 22.9% globally.

Global same-restaurant sales growth was 17.4%.

The company is targeting 8,500 to 9,000 global restaurants by 2025.

The company increased its quarterly dividend by 20% to 12 cents per share.

Total Revenue
$493M
Previous year: $402M
+22.6%
EPS
$0.27
Previous year: $0.12
+125.0%
US Same-Restaurant Sales Growth
16.1%
Previous year: -4.4%
-465.9%
International Same-Restaurant Sales Growth
31.4%
Previous year: -18.4%
-270.7%
Global Same-Restaurant Sales Growth
17.4%
Previous year: -5.8%
-400.0%
Cash and Equivalents
$568M
Previous year: $338M
+68.1%
Free Cash Flow
$186M

Wendy's

Wendy's

Wendy's Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

Wendy's provided its outlook for 2021, expecting global systemwide sales growth of 11-13%, adjusted EBITDA of $465-$475 million, adjusted EPS of $0.79-$0.81, cash flows from operations of $350-$370 million, capital expenditures of $80-$90 million, and free cash flow of $270-$280 million.

Positive Outlook

  • Global systemwide sales growth: 11 to 13 percent (excluding the impact of the 53rd week)
  • Adjusted EBITDA: $465 to $475 million (including $25 million of incremental Company breakfast advertising spending)
  • Adjusted earnings per share: $0.79 to $0.81
  • Cash flows from operations: $350 to $370 million
  • Free cash flow: $270 to $280 million

Challenges Ahead

  • Capital expenditures: $80 to $90 million
  • Uncertainty and variability of expenses and benefits make it difficult to project net income and earnings per share.
  • The company excludes certain expenses and benefits from adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share and free cash flow.
  • The company is unable without unreasonable effort to provide projections of net income, earnings per share or net cash provided by operating activities, or a reconciliation of those projected measures.
  • Forward-looking statements are susceptible to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors.