Wendy’s Co. WEN, -0.45% stock rose 3.4% in Wednesday premarket trading after the burger chain reported second-quarter earnings that beat expectations. Net income totaled $65.7 million, or 29 cents per share, up from $24.9 million, or 11 cents per share, last year. Adjusted EPS of 27 cents beat the FactSet consensus for 18 cents. Revenue of $493.3 million was up from $402.3 million and ahead of the FactSet consensus for $462.6 million. Global same-restaurant sales rose 17.4%, beating the FactSet consensus for a 15.8% rise. U.S. same-restaurant sales were up 16.1% while international same-restaurant sales grew 31.4%. The U.S. FactSet consensus was for a 14.1% increase. Wendy’s has announced plans for a $10 million incremental spend on advertising for the breakfast menu in 2021, bringing the total for the year to $25 million. Wendy’s restated its goal to make breakfast 10% of sales by 2022. The company also aims to open and operate 700 delivery kitchens in the U.S., Canada and U.K. by 2025 after a test of eight kitchens in Canada proved successful. Cash obtained from a debt refinancing will fund a $100 million plan to add 80-to-90 new franchise locations between 2022 and 2025. Wendy’s is increasing its quarterly dividend by 20% to 12 cents per share payable on September 15 to shareholders of record as of September 1. And the share buyback program has gotten authorization for an additional $70 million, bringing the total to $220 million. For 2021, Wendy’s now expects global sales growth of 11% to 13%, and adjusted EPS of 79 cents to 81 cents. The FactSet consensus is for sales of $1.854 billion, suggesting growth of 6.9%, and EPS of 74 cents. Wendy’s stock has edged up 0.5% for the year to date while the S&P 500 index SPX, +0.10% has gained 18.1% for the period.
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