The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ:WEN – Free Report) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research reduced their Q3 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Wendy’s in a research note issued on Friday, August 21st. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the restaurant operator will post earnings of $0.12 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $0.15. The consensus estimate for Wendy’s’ current full-year earnings is $0.52 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Wendy’s’ Q4 2026 earnings at $0.11 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $0.53 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.15 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.14 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $0.54 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $0.12 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $0.16 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $0.57 EPS.
A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on WEN. Mizuho set a $6.00 target price on shares of Wendy’s in a research note on Friday, May 1st. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a “market perform” rating on shares of Wendy’s in a report on Monday, August 10th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Wendy’s in a research report on Friday, July 17th. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $8.00 target price on shares of Wendy’s in a research note on Monday, August 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an “underweight” rating and issued a $6.00 target price (down from $7.00) on shares of Wendy’s in a research report on Monday, May 11th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and six have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $7.76.
Wendy’s Stock Down 1.9%
Wendy’s stock opened at $8.84 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $1.69 billion, a PE ratio of 13.39, a P/E/G ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 0.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 27.95, a quick ratio of 1.88 and a current ratio of 1.90. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $7.76 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $7.44. Wendy’s has a twelve month low of $6.07 and a twelve month high of $10.62.
Wendy’s (NASDAQ:WEN – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 7th. The restaurant operator reported $0.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.16 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $570.57 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $557.13 million. Wendy’s had a net margin of 5.72% and a return on equity of 115.31%. The firm’s revenue was up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.29 earnings per share.
Wendy’s Cuts Dividend
The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be issued a $0.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $0.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.2%. Wendy’s’s dividend payout ratio is currently 84.85%.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Wendy’s
Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of WEN. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Wendy’s in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Wendy’s during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Wendy’s during the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in shares of Wendy’s by 161.0% in the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 3,829 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 2,362 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SJS Investment Consulting Inc. bought a new position in shares of Wendy’s in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $32,000. 85.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Key Wendy’s News
Here are the key news stories impacting Wendy’s this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Wendy’s appointed former McDonald’s marketing chief Tariq Hassan as its first Chief Marketing and Customer Growth Officer. The company expects his experience to strengthen marketing, customer traffic and its broader turnaround strategy. The Wendy’s Company names Tariq Hassan chief marketing and customer growth officer
- Positive Sentiment: CEO Bob Wright said Wendy’s plans to improve food quality and compete more aggressively in the burger category after acknowledging that cost savings had taken priority over the chain’s food offering. A successful product and brand reset could help rebuild customer traffic and market share. Wendy’s CEO says food quality has not been the chain’s top priority
- Neutral Sentiment: Wendy’s launched a $1.99 10-piece nuggets promotion. The offer may attract value-focused customers and increase traffic, but discounting could also limit restaurant margins if it does not generate meaningful incremental sales. Wendy’s launches $1.99 10-piece nuggets deal
- Neutral Sentiment: A McAlister’s Deli is reportedly moving into a former Wendy’s location in Palestine. This appears to be a localized restaurant real-estate development rather than a material companywide catalyst. McAlister’s moving into Wendy’s location in Palestine
- Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research issued a negative outlook for Wendy’s earnings, adding to concerns that near-term financial performance may remain challenged. Zacks Research issues negative outlook for Wendy’s earnings
- Negative Sentiment: A Chicago woman is suing Wendy’s, alleging that a burger meal caused a serious foodborne illness and substantial medical expenses. The allegations have not been proven, but they create potential legal, reputational and food-safety risks. Chicago woman alleges Wendy’s meal caused foodborne illness
About Wendy’s
The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ:WEN) operates as a global quick-service restaurant chain, best known for its square-shaped beef patties, fresh ingredient sourcing and signature Frosty dessert. The company’s menu features a variety of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, breakfast sandwiches, sides and beverages, designed to appeal to a broad customer base seeking both classic and contemporary fast-food options. Wendy’s has placed particular emphasis on product innovation, introducing limited-time offerings and revamped core menu items to maintain customer interest and respond to evolving dining trends.
Founded in 1969 by entrepreneur Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio, Wendy’s expanded rapidly through both company-owned and franchised outlets.
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