London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Apr 03, 2026

Wendy's stock jumps on long-term sales outlook and plans for breakfast, European expansion

Wendy's on Friday shared more detail about its plan to launch breakfast nationwide at its investor day.

Wendy’s executives shared more detail about its 2020 nationwide breakfast launch at the company’s investor day Friday.


The company anticipates that breakfast sales grow to at least 10% of its total daily sales.


The burger chain is also exploring meat alternatives and is testing a black bean burger.


Wendy’s will return to the United Kingdom in the next 12 to 18 months.

Wendy’s on Friday shared more detail about its plan to launch breakfast nationwide, add new products and expand in Europe at its investor day.

It also teased its unreleased third-quarter financial results. Wendy’s CEO Todd Penegor reported North American same-store sales growth of 4.4%, helped by the return of its spicy nuggets. The company is scheduled to report its earnings Nov. 6.

Between 2021 to 2024, Wendy’s expects annual global system-wide sales in range of 4% to 5%.

Shares of the company, which has a market value of $4.6 billion, jumped 6.4% in morning trading.

The burger chain announced its breakfast plans in September. Wendy’s plans to invest about $20 million to support its U.S. stores in preparation for the early 2020 launch. The company also cut its forecast for fiscal 2019 adjusted earnings at that time, expecting a decline in a range of 3.5% to 6.5%.

Wendy’s anticipates that breakfast sales will grow to at least 10% of its total daily sales.

The company has attempted to enter breakfast three times previously, and analysts have expressed skepticism that this time around will be different.

“We really are building this program in a different way,” Wendy’s U.S. President Kurt Kane told investors.

Kane said that the company worked with franchisees to create the breakfast program.

“They really pushed us hard to make sure that we had something that could work for our entire system,” he said.

Thanks to the company’s investments in the program, executives expect that breakfast will be immediately profitable for franchisees.

Menu items will include the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, Breakfast Baconator and the Frosty-ccino, but the chain is planning on limiting the number of breakfast items, compared to past launches. Wendy’s also created a new custom blend of coffee.

This time around will not include any equipment expenses, which previously could cost franchisees up to $10,000.

Wendy’s past breakfast attempts started regionally, which meant that advertising was locally based. The company is planning on using national media for its 2020 launch.

With the exception of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Arby’s and Yum Brands’ KFC, Wendy’s competitors have all been in breakfast for years. Kane said that the company will be able to go head-to-head against Chick-fil-A with its chicken biscuit.

“We do anticipate significant competitive response,” Kane said.

Breakfast is not the only menu addition that Wendy’s has been exploring. Kane said that the chain is currently testing black bean burgers, which could be launched next year if it goes well.

Kane said the company is also exploring other meat alternatives. Restaurant Brands International’s Burger King has launched its plant-based Impossible Whopper nationwide, while McDonald’s is testing its own version made with Beyond Meat.


Global expansion plans


Between 2020 and 2024, Wendy’s plans to grow its global restaurant store count by 3% annually — double 2019′s expected growth rate. Some of that growth will come from Wendy’s expansion into Europe in the next 12 to 18 months. The burger chain has tried to enter European markets over the years.

By 2024, Wendy’s wants more than 1,500 international stores. It currently has roughly 950 international locations.

To launch in Europe, Wendy’s plans to reenter the United Kingdom, making the country its first European market. The company said that it’s done extensive research and talked with more than 3,000 British consumers.

“And yes, we’ve thought about Brexit,” Abigail Pringle, Wendy’s head of U.S. development and international president, told investors.

Chick-fil-A recently opened its first location in the U.K.

The next phase will be launching in European markets with a high potential of success, and Wendy’s is in discussions with potential franchisees.

In Wendy’s domestic market, the burger chain is looking to major U.S. cities and locations near military bases and college campuses. Part of its U.S. store growth will come from nontraditional locations, including dark kitchens, which are also known as ghost or virtual kitchens. Ghost kitchens are smaller format stores that are only meant to cook food for delivery orders.

Pringle said that the burger chain will have two dark kitchens open in high delivery markets by the end of the year.


Digital strategy


Out of Wendy’s total U.S. sales, 2% come from digital channels. It wants to expand its digital orders to 10% of total U.S. sales by 2024.

The burger chain has partnered with DoorDash for delivery and announced additional partnerships with UberEats and GrubHub Friday. Wendy’s reported 50% to 60% higher check prices on delivery orders.

Laura Titas, Wendy’s chief digital experience officer, said that the company will also launch in-app delivery, giving the company access to customer data and driving more people to its app. Mobile ordering leads to 20% higher check sizes for Wendy’s.

Titas also said Wendy’s will launch a loyalty program in 2020 to drive more frequent visits to its locations.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump’s Strategic Pressure on UK Seen as Push for Stronger Alignment and Fairer Terms
UK Focuses on Trade Finance to Secure Critical Materials for Defence and Energy Sectors
Majority of UK Businesses Hit by Middle East Conflict While Confidence Holds Firm
UK Royal Navy Faces Renewed Scrutiny as Debate Intensifies Over Capability and Readiness
Reform UK Faces Mounting Distractions as Policy Agenda Struggles to Gain Traction
Investigation Launched Into Northern Cyprus IVF Clinics After UK Families Receive Incorrect Sperm
International Meeting Issues Unified Call to Safeguard Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
Potential Strait of Hormuz Closure Raises Concerns Over UK Food and Medicine Supply Chains
UK Leads Coalition of Over Forty Nations Urging Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access for Medicines in Landmark US Pharma Trade Agreement
King Charles III Invited to Address Joint Session of U.S. Congress in Rare Diplomatic Honor
Debate Grows Over Whether Expanded North Sea Drilling Can Reduce UK Energy Bills
UK Faces Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortages, Airline Chief Warns
UK Ends Police Investigations into Lawful Social Media Posts After Review Finds Overreach
Abramovich Moves to Establish Charity for Frozen Chelsea Sale Proceeds Amid UK Dispute
Starmer Reaffirms NATO Commitment While Responding to Trump’s Strategic Critique
UK Aid Reductions Raise Fears of Severe Human Impact Across Parts of Africa
UK Signals Renewed Push for EU Cooperation as Iran Conflict Reshapes Security Landscape
Bank of England Signals Caution as Bailey Advises Markets Against Expecting Rate Hikes
UK to Convene Global Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
Trump Signals Possible NATO Reassessment, Emphasizes Stronger U.S. Strategic Autonomy
Australia Joins British-Led Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions
King Charles Plans US State Visit as UK Strengthens Ties with Trump Leadership
UK Regulator Launches Investigation Into Microsoft’s Business Software Practices
Kanye West Set for High-Profile Return to UK Stage at Wireless Festival
Trump Presses Europe to Strengthen Commitment as Iran Conflict Escalates
UK to Deploy Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Rising Regional Tensions
UK Authorities Face Claims of Heavy-Handed Measures in Monitoring Released Pro-Palestine Activists
Trump Calls on UK to Secure Its Own Energy as Iran Conflict Intensifies
Nigel Farage Declines Invitation to UK Conservative Conference Led by Liz Truss
Trump Warns Allies to Take Responsibility as Rift Deepens with UK and France Over Iran Conflict
How Britain’s Prime Minister Controls U.S. Bomber Access in Escalating Iran Conflict
Trump Urges Allies to Secure Their Own Oil Supplies as Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Global Energy
Russia Expels British Diplomat as UK Pushes Back Against Pressure
White House App Faces Scrutiny After Claims of Continuous User Location Tracking
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
UK-France Coastal Patrol Agreement Nears Breakdown Amid Migration Pressures
UK Police Detain Pro-Palestine Activist Again Weeks After Bail Release
FTSE 100 Advances as Energy and Mining Shares Gain Amid Middle East Tensions
Eli Lilly Seeks UK Pricing Deal to Unlock Renewed Pharmaceutical Investment
Three Arrested in UK After Massive Cocaine Haul Discovered Hidden in Banana Shipment
UK Fuel Prices Poised for Further Surge Amid Global Energy Pressures
Apple Subsidiary Penalized by UK Authorities for Breach of Moscow Sanctions
Western Allies Intensify Coordinated Sanctions Strategy Against Russia
UK Lawmakers Face Criticism Over Renewed Push for Social Media Restrictions
Starmer Signals UK Crackdown on Addictive Social Media Features
Rising Costs Push One in Five UK Hospitality Businesses to the Brink of Closure
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Attempted Murder After Car Strikes Pedestrians in UK, Injuring Seven
Escalating Conflict Involving Iran Tightens Fiscal Pressures and Highlights UK Economic Vulnerabilities
UK Moves to Confront Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Operating in Its Waters
×