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    THE WENDY'S COMPANY REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2024 RESULTS

    5/2/24 7:00:00 AM ET
    $WEN
    Restaurants
    Consumer Discretionary
    Get the next $WEN alert in real time by email

    DUBLIN, Ohio, May 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wendy's Company (NASDAQ:WEN) today reported unaudited results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

    PR NEWSWIRE (PRNewsfoto/The Wendy's Company)

    "The momentum we built across our business in the first quarter puts us on track to achieve our 2024 outlook and on the path toward unlocking the full potential of the powerful Wendy's® brand," President and Chief Executive Officer Kirk Tanner said. "We delivered global same-restaurant sales growth, which accelerated by 120 basis points on a two-year basis versus the previous quarter. This was driven in part by high-single digit year-over-year U.S. breakfast sales growth and global digital sales mix of nearly 17%. This performance supported a 60 basis point expansion in U.S. Company-operated restaurant margin versus the prior year, illustrating the benefits of these profitable initiatives. We remain focused on executing against our plans and investments through a customer-centric approach, supporting our ability to drive long-term shareholder value."

    First Quarter 2024 Summary

    See "Disclosure Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the reconciliation tables that accompany this release for a discussion and reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial measures included in this release.

    Operational Highlights

    First Quarter











    2023



    2024









    Systemwide Sales Growth(1)







    U.S.

    8.6 %



    1.7 %

    International(2)

    21.0 %



    8.8 %

    Global

    10.0 %



    2.6 %









    Same-Restaurant Sales Growth(1)







    U.S.

    7.2 %



    0.6 %

    International(2)

    13.9 %



    3.2 %

    Global

    8.0 %



    0.9 %









    Systemwide Sales (In US$ Millions)(3)







    U.S.

    $2,945



    $2,994

    International(2)

    $419



    $454

    Global

    $3,363



    $3,448









    Restaurant Openings







    U.S. - Total / Net

    20 / (5)



    18 / (2)

    International - Total / Net

    19 / 5



    17 / 10

    Global - Total / Net

    39 / 0



    35 / 8









    Quarter End Restaurant Count







    U.S.

    5,989



    6,028

    International

    1,106



    1,220

    Global

    7,095



    7,248









    Global Reimaging Completion Percentage

    80 %



    87 %









    (1) Systemwide sales growth and same-restaurant sales growth are calculated on a constant

    currency basis and include sales by both Company-operated and franchise restaurants.

    (2) Excludes Argentina.

    (3) Systemwide sales include sales at both Company-operated and franchise restaurants.

     

    Financial Highlights

    First Quarter















    2023



    2024



    B / (W)













    ($ In Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

    (Unaudited)













    Total Revenues

    $   528.8



    $   534.8



    1.1 %

    Adjusted Revenues(1)

    $   427.4



    $   429.8



    0.6 %

    U.S. Company-Operated Restaurant Margin

    14.7 %



    15.3 %



    0.6 %

    General and Administrative Expense

    $     62.3



    $     63.8



    (2.4) %

    Operating Profit

    $     84.5



    $     81.2



    (3.9) %

    Reported Effective Tax Rate

    28.0 %



    26.9 %



    1.1 %

    Net Income

    $     39.8



    $     42.0



    5.5 %

    Adjusted EBITDA

    $   125.6



    $   127.8



    1.8 %

    Reported Diluted Earnings Per Share

    $     0.19



    $     0.20



    5.3 %

    Adjusted Earnings Per Share

    $     0.21



    $     0.23



    9.5 %

    Cash Flows from Operations

    $     53.0



    $   100.0



    88.7 %

    Capital Expenditures

    $   (12.2)



    $   (17.4)



    (42.6) %

    Free Cash Flow(2)

    $     63.7



    $     60.8



    (4.6) %













    (1) Total revenues less advertising funds revenue.

    (2) Cash flows from operations minus capital expenditures and the impact of our advertising funds.

    First Quarter Financial Highlights

    Total Revenues

    The increase in revenues resulted primarily from an increase in advertising funds revenue and an increase in franchise royalty revenue, both driven by net new  restaurant development and higher same-restaurant sales.

    U.S. Company-Operated Restaurant Margin

    The increase in U.S. Company-operated restaurant margin was primarily the result of a higher average check. These were partially offset by customer count  declines and higher labor costs.

    General and Administrative Expense

    The increase in general and administrative expense was primarily driven by an increase in stock compensation and an increase in employee compensation and  benefits. These were partially offset by lower outside professional services driven by lapping costs associated with the implementation of the Company's human  capital management system in the prior year.

    Operating Profit

    The decrease in operating profit resulted primarily from an increase in the Company's incremental investment in breakfast advertising, higher depreciation, higher  amortization of cloud-computing arrangement costs, and higher general and administrative expense. These were partially offset by higher franchise royalty revenue  and an increase in U.S. Company-operated restaurant margin.

    Net Income

    The increase in net income resulted primarily from lapping a decrease in investment income and a loss on the early extinguishment of debt in the prior year, as well as lower interest expense driven by the Company's debt repurchases throughout 2023. These were partially offset by a decrease in operating profit.

    Adjusted EBITDA

    The increase in adjusted EBITDA resulted primarily from higher franchise royalty revenue and an increase in U.S. Company-operated restaurant margin. These  were partially offset by an increase in the Company's incremental investment in breakfast advertising and higher general and administrative expense.

    Adjusted Earnings Per Share

    The increase in adjusted earnings per share was driven by fewer shares outstanding as a result of the Company's share repurchase program, an increase in adjusted EBITDA, and lapping a decrease in investment income in the prior year. These were partially offset by higher depreciation and higher amortization of cloud computing arrangement costs.

    Free Cash Flow

    The decrease in free cash flow resulted primarily from the Company's incremental investment in breakfast advertising. This was partially offset by the timing of receipt of vendor incentives.

    Company Declares Quarterly Dividend

    The Company announced today the declaration of its regular quarterly cash dividend of 25 cents per share. The dividend is payable on June 17, 2024, to shareholders of record as of June 3, 2024. The number of common shares outstanding as of April 25, 2024 was approximately 205.1 million.

    Share Repurchases

    The Company repurchased 0.4 million shares for $7.2 million in the first quarter of 2024. In the second quarter of 2024, the Company has repurchased 0.2 million shares for $4.3 million through April 25. As of April 25, approximately $298.5 million remains available under the Company's existing share repurchase authorization that expires in February 2027.

    2024 Outlook

    This release includes forward-looking projections for certain non-GAAP financial measures, including systemwide sales, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share and free cash flow. The Company excludes certain expenses and benefits from adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share and free cash flow, such as the impact from our advertising funds, including the net change in the restricted operating assets and liabilities and any excess or deficit of advertising fund revenues over advertising fund expenses, impairment of long-lived assets, reorganization and realignment costs, system optimization gains, net, amortization of cloud computing arrangements, gain on early extinguishment of debt, net, and the timing and resolution of certain tax matters. Due to the uncertainty and variability of the nature and amount of those expenses and benefits, 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.

    During 2024 the Company Continues to Expect:

    • Global systemwide sales growth: 5 to 6 percent
    • Adjusted EBITDA: $535 to $545 million
    • Adjusted earnings per share: $0.98 to $1.02
    • Cash flows from operations: $370 to $390 million
    • Capital expenditures: $90 to $100 million
    • Free cash flow: $280 to $290 million

    Conference Call and Webcast Scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Today, May 2

    The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, May 2 at 8:30 a.m. ET, with a simultaneous webcast from the Company's Investor Relations website at www.irwendys.com. The related presentation materials will also be available on the Company's Investor Relations website. The live conference call will be available by telephone at (844) 200-6205 for domestic callers and (929) 526-1599 for international callers, both using event ID 399477. An archived webcast and presentation materials will be available on the Company's Investor Relations website.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This release contains certain statements that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act").  Generally, forward-looking statements include the words "may," "believes," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimate," "goal," "upcoming," "outlook," "guidance" or the negation thereof, or similar expressions.  In addition, all statements that address future operating, financial or business performance, strategies or initiatives, future efficiencies or savings, anticipated costs or charges, future capitalization, anticipated impacts of recent or pending investments or transactions and statements expressing general views about future results or brand health are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act.  Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's expectations at the time such statements are made, speak only as of the dates they are made and are susceptible to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors.  For all such forward-looking statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Reform Act.  The Company's actual results, performance and achievements may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Company's forward-looking statements.

    Many important factors could affect the Company's future results and cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the Company's forward-looking statements.  Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) the impact of competition or poor customer experiences at Wendy's restaurants; (2) adverse economic conditions or disruptions, including in regions with a high concentration of Wendy's restaurants; (3) changes in discretionary consumer spending and consumer tastes and preferences; (4) the disruption to the Company's business from COVID-19 and its impact on the Company's results of operations, financial condition and prospects; (5) impacts to the Company's corporate reputation or the value and perception of the Company's brand; (6) the effectiveness of the Company's marketing and advertising programs and new product development; (7) the Company's ability to manage the impact of social media; (8) the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property; (9) food safety events or health concerns involving the Company's products; (10) our ability to deliver accelerated global sales growth and achieve or maintain market share across our dayparts; (11) the Company's ability to achieve its growth strategy through new restaurant development and its Image Activation program; (12) the Company's ability to effectively manage the acquisition and disposition of restaurants or successfully implement other strategic initiatives; (13) risks associated with leasing and owning significant amounts of real estate, including environmental matters; (14) risks associated with the Company's international operations, including the ability to execute its international growth strategy; (15) changes in commodity and other operating costs; (16) shortages or interruptions in the supply or distribution of the Company's products and other risks associated with the Company's independent supply chain purchasing co-op; (17) the impact of increased labor costs or labor shortages; (18) the continued succession and retention of key personnel and the effectiveness of the Company's leadership and organizational structure; (19) risks associated with the Company's digital commerce strategy, platforms and technologies, including its ability to adapt to changes in industry trends and consumer preferences; (20) the Company's dependence on computer systems and information technology, including risks associated with the failure or interruption of its systems or technology or the occurrence of cyber incidents or deficiencies; (21) risks associated with the Company's securitized financing facility and other debt agreements, including compliance with operational and financial covenants, restrictions on its ability to raise additional capital, the impact of its overall debt levels and the Company's ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet its debt service obligations and operate its business; (22) risks associated with the Company's capital allocation policy, including the amount and timing of equity and debt repurchases and dividend payments; (23) risks associated with complaints and litigation, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and an increased focus on environmental, social and governance issues; (24) risks associated with the availability and cost of insurance, changes in accounting standards, the recognition of impairment or other charges, changes in tax rates or tax laws and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; (25) conditions beyond the Company's control, such as adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, hostilities, social unrest, health epidemics or pandemics or other catastrophic events; and (26) other risks and uncertainties cited in the Company's releases, public statements and/or filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those identified in the "Risk Factors" sections of the Company's Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

    In addition to the factors described above, there are risks associated with the Company's predominantly franchised business model that could impact its results, performance and achievements. Such risks include the Company's ability to identify, attract and retain experienced and qualified franchisees, the Company's ability to effectively manage the transfer of restaurants between and among franchisees, the business and financial health of franchisees, the ability of franchisees to meet their royalty, advertising, development, reimaging and other commitments, participation by franchisees in brand strategies and the fact that franchisees are independent third parties that own, operate and are responsible for overseeing the operations of their restaurants.  The Company's predominantly franchised business model may also impact the ability of the Wendy's system to effectively respond and adapt to market changes.

    All future written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to above. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and factors that the Company currently deems immaterial may become material, and it is impossible for the Company to predict these events or how they may affect the Company.

    The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this release as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by federal securities laws, although the Company may do so from time to time. The Company does not endorse any projections regarding future performance that may be made by third parties.

    There can be no assurance that any additional regular quarterly cash dividends will be declared or paid after the date hereof, or of the amount or timing of such dividends, if any.  Future dividend payments, if any, are subject to applicable law, will be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be based on factors such as the Company's earnings, financial condition and cash requirements and other factors.

    Disclosure Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    In addition to the financial measures presented in this release in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), the Company has included certain non-GAAP financial measures in this release, including adjusted revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share, free cash flow and systemwide sales.

    The Company uses adjusted revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share and systemwide sales as internal measures of business operating performance and as performance measures for benchmarking against the Company's peers and competitors.  Adjusted EBITDA and systemwide sales are also used by the Company in establishing performance goals for purposes of executive compensation.  The Company believes its presentation of adjusted revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share and systemwide sales provides a meaningful perspective of the underlying operating performance of our current business and enables investors to better understand and evaluate our historical and prospective operating performance.  The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures are important supplemental measures of operating performance because they eliminate items that vary from period to period without correlation to our core operating performance and highlight trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures.  Due to the nature and/or size of the items being excluded, such items do not reflect future gains, losses, expenses or benefits and are not indicative of our future operating performance.  The Company believes investors, analysts and other interested parties use adjusted revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share and systemwide sales in evaluating issuers, and the presentation of these measures facilitates a comparative assessment of the Company's operating performance in addition to the Company's performance based on GAAP results.

    This release also includes disclosure regarding the Company's free cash flow.  Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that is used by the Company as an internal measure of liquidity.  Free cash flow is also used by the Company in establishing performance goals for purposes of executive compensation.  The Company defines free cash flow as cash flows from operations minus (i) capital expenditures and (ii) the net change in the restricted operating assets and liabilities of the advertising funds and any excess/deficit of advertising funds revenue over advertising funds expense included in net income, as reported under GAAP.  The impact of our advertising funds is excluded because the funds are used solely for advertising and are not available for the Company's working capital needs. The Company may also make additional adjustments for certain non-recurring or unusual items to the extent identified in the reconciliation tables that accompany this release. The Company believes free cash flow is an important liquidity measure for investors and other interested persons because it communicates how much cash flow is available for working capital needs or to be used for repurchasing shares, paying dividends, repaying or refinancing debt, financing possible acquisitions or investments or other uses of cash.

    Adjusted revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share, free cash flow and systemwide sales are not recognized terms under GAAP, and the Company's presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures does not replace the presentation of the Company's financial results in accordance with GAAP.  Because all companies do not calculate adjusted revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share, free cash flow and systemwide sales (and similarly titled financial measures) in the same way, those measures as used by other companies may not be consistent with the way the Company calculates such measures.  The non-GAAP financial measures included in this release should not be construed as substitutes for or better indicators of the Company's performance than the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.  See the reconciliation tables that accompany this release for additional information regarding certain of the non-GAAP financial measures included herein.

    Key Business Measures

    The Company tracks its results of operations and manages its business using certain key business measures, including same-restaurant sales, systemwide sales and Company-operated restaurant margin, which are measures commonly used in the quick-service restaurant industry that are important to understanding Company performance.

    Same-restaurant sales and systemwide sales each include sales by both Company-operated and franchise restaurants. The Company reports same-restaurant sales for new restaurants after they have been open for 15 continuous months and for reimaged restaurants as soon as they reopen. Restaurants temporarily closed for more than one fiscal week are excluded from same-restaurant sales.

    Franchise restaurant sales are reported by our franchisees and represent their revenues from sales at franchised Wendy's restaurants. Sales by franchise restaurants are not recorded as Company revenues and are not included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. However, the Company's royalty revenues are computed as percentages of sales made by Wendy's franchisees and, as a result, sales by franchisees have a direct effect on the Company's royalty revenues and profitability.

    Same-restaurant sales and systemwide sales exclude sales from Argentina due to the highly inflationary economy of that country.

    The Company calculates same-restaurant sales and systemwide sales growth on a constant currency basis. Constant currency results exclude the impact of foreign currency translation and are derived by translating current year results at prior year average exchange rates. The Company believes excluding the impact of foreign currency translation provides better year over year comparability.

    U.S. Company-operated restaurant margin is defined as sales from U.S. Company-operated restaurants less cost of sales divided by sales from U.S. Company-operated restaurants. Cost of sales includes food and paper, restaurant labor and occupancy, advertising and other operating costs. Cost of sales excludes certain costs that support restaurant operations that are not allocated to individual restaurants, which are included in "General and administrative." Cost of sales also excludes depreciation and amortization expense and impairment of long-lived assets. Therefore, as restaurant margin as presented excludes certain costs as described above, its usefulness may be limited and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies in our industry.

    About Wendy's

    Wendy's® was founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio. Dave built his business on the premise, "Quality is our Recipe®," which remains the guidepost of the Wendy's system. Wendy's is best known for its made-to-order square hamburgers, using fresh, never frozen beef*, freshly-prepared salads, and other signature items like chili, baked potatoes and the Frosty® dessert. The Wendy's Company (NASDAQ:WEN) is committed to doing the right thing and making a positive difference in the lives of others. This is most visible through the Company's support of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption® and its signature Wendy's Wonderful Kids® program, which seeks to find a loving, forever home for every child waiting to be adopted from the North American foster care system. Today, Wendy's and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across over 7,000 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand. For details on franchising, connect with us at www.wendys.com/franchising. Visit www.wendys.com and www.squaredealblog.com for more information and connect with us on X and Instagram using @wendys, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wendys.

    *Fresh beef available in the contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Canada.

    Investor Contact:

    Kelsey Freed

    Director - Investor Relations

    (614) 764-3345; [email protected]

    Media Contact:

    Heidi Schauer

    Vice President – Communications, Public Affairs & Customer Care

    (614) 764-3368; [email protected]

    The Wendy's Company and Subsidiaries

    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

    Three Month Periods Ended April 2, 2023 and March 31, 2024

    (In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

    (Unaudited)





    Three Months Ended



    2023



    2024

    Revenues:







    Sales

    $            227,949



    $            225,323

    Franchise royalty revenue

    122,150



    125,680

    Franchise fees

    19,527



    20,820

    Franchise rental income

    57,807



    57,986

    Advertising funds revenue

    101,374



    104,944



    528,807



    534,753

    Costs and expenses:







    Cost of sales

    196,536



    192,113

    Franchise support and other costs

    13,260



    14,742

    Franchise rental expense

    30,629



    31,778

    Advertising funds expense

    101,661



    107,374

    General and administrative

    62,276



    63,757

    Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of amortization of cloud computing 

         arrangements shown separately below)

    33,472



    35,518

    Amortization of cloud computing arrangements

    1,582



    3,542

    System optimization (gains) losses, net

    (5)



    127

    Reorganization and realignment costs

    6,808



    5,673

    Impairment of long-lived assets

    376



    2,006

    Other operating income, net

    (2,266)



    (3,033)



    444,329



    453,597

    Operating profit

    84,478



    81,156

    Interest expense, net

    (31,705)



    (30,535)

    Loss on early extinguishment of debt

    (1,266)



    —

    Investment loss, net

    (3,562)



    —

    Other income, net

    7,336



    6,836

    Income before income taxes

    55,281



    57,457

    Provision for income taxes

    (15,460)



    (15,464)

    Net income

    $              39,821



    $              41,993









    Net income per share:







    Basic

    $                     .19



    $                     .20

    Diluted

    .19



    .20









    Number of shares used to calculate basic income per share

    212,547



    205,372









    Number of shares used to calculate diluted income per share

    215,029



    206,971

     

    The Wendy's Company and Subsidiaries

    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

    As of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024

    (In Thousands Except Par Value)

    (Unaudited)





    December 31,

    2023



    March 31,

    2024

    ASSETS







    Current assets:







    Cash and cash equivalents

    $            516,037



    $            498,333

    Restricted cash

    35,848



    36,058

    Accounts and notes receivable, net

    121,683



    125,546

    Inventories

    6,690



    6,110

    Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    39,640



    39,075

    Advertising funds restricted assets

    117,755



    162,406

    Total current assets

    837,653



    867,528

    Properties

    891,080



    890,667

    Finance lease assets

    228,936



    227,547

    Operating lease assets

    705,615



    696,944

    Goodwill

    773,727



    773,077

    Other intangible assets

    1,219,129



    1,210,124

    Investments

    34,445



    33,230

    Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases

    313,664



    306,908

    Other assets

    178,577



    183,745

    Total assets

    $         5,182,826



    $         5,189,770









    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY







    Current liabilities:







    Current portion of long-term debt

    $              29,250



    $              29,250

    Current portion of finance lease liabilities

    20,250



    20,730

    Current portion of operating lease liabilities

    49,353



    49,848

    Accounts payable

    27,370



    26,175

    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    135,149



    144,211

    Advertising funds restricted liabilities

    120,558



    155,235

    Total current liabilities

    381,930



    425,449

    Long-term debt

    2,732,814



    2,727,371

    Long-term finance lease liabilities

    568,767



    563,955

    Long-term operating lease liabilities

    739,340



    729,086

    Deferred income taxes

    270,353



    270,875

    Deferred franchise fees

    90,132



    89,331

    Other liabilities

    89,711



    90,049

    Total liabilities

    4,873,047



    4,896,116

    Commitments and contingencies







    Stockholders' equity:







    Common stock, $0.10 par value; 1,500,000 shares authorized; 470,424 shares

        issued; 205,397 and 205,325 shares outstanding, respectively

    47,042



    47,042

    Additional paid-in capital

    2,960,035



    2,962,241

    Retained earnings

    409,863



    400,465

    Common stock held in treasury, at cost; 265,027 and 265,099 shares, respectively

    (3,048,786)



    (3,053,133)

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (58,375)



    (62,961)

    Total stockholders' equity

    309,779



    293,654

    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

    $         5,182,826



    $         5,189,770

     

     

    The Wendy's Company and Subsidiaries

    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

    Three Month Periods Ended April 2, 2023 and March 31, 2024

    (In Thousands)

    (Unaudited)





    Three Months Ended



    2023



    2024

    Cash flows from operating activities:







    Net income

    $              39,821



    $              41,993

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:







    Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of amortization of

    cloud computing arrangements shown separately below)

    33,472



    35,518

    Amortization of cloud computing arrangements

    1,582



    3,542

    Share-based compensation

    4,609



    5,853

    Impairment of long-lived assets

    376



    2,006

    Deferred income tax

    2,302



    603

    Non-cash rental expense, net

    9,012



    10,974

    Change in operating lease liabilities

    (11,718)



    (12,112)

    Net (recognition) receipt of deferred vendor incentives

    (1,197)



    8,584

    System optimization (gains) losses, net

    (5)



    127

    Distributions received from joint ventures, net of equity in earnings

    394



    430

    Long-term debt-related activities, net

    3,419



    1,870

    Cloud computing arrangements expenditures

    (6,643)



    (2,865)

    Changes in operating assets and liabilities and other, net

    (22,449)



    3,464

    Net cash provided by operating activities

    52,975



    99,987

    Cash flows from investing activities:







    Capital expenditures

    (12,240)



    (17,354)

    Franchise development fund

    (218)



    (4,741)

    Dispositions

    287



    26

    Notes receivable, net

    110



    1,256

    Net cash used in investing activities

    (12,061)



    (20,813)

    Cash flows from financing activities:







    Repayments of long-term debt

    (39,122)



    (7,313)

    Repayments of finance lease liabilities

    (4,398)



    (5,465)

    Repurchases of common stock, including accelerated share repurchase

    (36,727)



    (7,295)

    Dividends

    (53,103)



    (51,374)

    Proceeds from stock option exercises

    2,881



    932

    Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation

    (1,809)



    (2,115)

    Net cash used in financing activities

    (132,278)



    (72,630)

    Net cash provided by (used in) operations before effect of exchange rate

    changes on cash

    (91,364)



    6,544

    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    129



    (2,274)

    Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

    (91,235)



    4,270

    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

    831,801



    588,816

    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

    $            740,566



    $            593,086

     

     

    The Wendy's Company and Subsidiaries

    Reconciliations of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA and Revenues to Adjusted Revenues

    Three Month Periods Ended April 2, 2023 and March 31, 2024

    (In Thousands)

    (Unaudited)





    Three Months Ended



    2023



    2024









    Net income

    $              39,821



    $              41,993

    Provision for income taxes

    15,460



    15,464

    Income before income taxes

    55,281



    57,457

    Other income, net

    (7,336)



    (6,836)

    Investment loss, net

    3,562



    —

    Loss on early extinguishment of debt

    1,266



    —

    Interest expense, net

    31,705



    30,535

    Operating profit

    84,478



    81,156

    Plus (less):







    Advertising funds revenue

    (101,374)



    (104,944)

    Advertising funds expense (a)

    100,268



    104,737

    Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of amortization of cloud computing arrangements shown separately below)

    33,472



    35,518

    Amortization of cloud computing arrangements

    1,582



    3,542

    System optimization (gains) losses, net

    (5)



    127

    Reorganization and realignment costs

    6,808



    5,673

    Impairment of long-lived assets

    376



    2,006

    Adjusted EBITDA

    $            125,605



    $            127,815









    Revenues

    $            528,807



    $            534,753

    Less:







    Advertising funds revenue

    (101,374)



    (104,944)

    Adjusted revenues

    $            427,433



    $            429,809

    (a)

    Excludes advertising funds expense of $548 and $2,487 for the three months ended April 2, 2023 and March 31, 2024, respectively, related to the Company's funding of incremental advertising.  In addition, excludes other international-related advertising deficit of $845 and $150 for the three months ended April 2, 2023 and March 31, 2024, respectively.

     

    The Wendy's Company and Subsidiaries

    Reconciliation of Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share to

    Adjusted Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share

    Three Month Periods Ended April 2, 2023 and March 31, 2024

    (In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

    (Unaudited)





    Three Months Ended



    2023



    2024









    Net income

    $              39,821



    $              41,993

    Plus (less):







    Advertising funds revenue

    (101,374)



    (104,944)

    Advertising funds expense (a)

    100,268



    104,737

    System optimization (gains) losses, net

    (5)



    127

    Reorganization and realignment costs

    6,808



    5,673

    Impairment of long-lived assets

    376



    2,006

    Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net

    1,266



    —

    Total adjustments

    7,339



    7,599

    Income tax impact on adjustments (b)

    (1,931)



    (1,644)

    Total adjustments, net of income taxes

    5,408



    5,955

    Adjusted income

    $              45,229



    $              47,948









    Diluted earnings per share

    $                     .19



    $                     .20

    Total adjustments per share, net of income taxes

    .02



    .03

    Adjusted earnings per share

    $                     .21



    $                     .23

    (a)

    Excludes advertising funds expense of $548 and $2,487 for the three months ended April 2, 2023 and March 31, 2024, respectively, related to the Company's funding of incremental advertising.  In addition, excludes other international-related advertising deficit of $845 and $150 for the three months ended April 2, 2023 and March 31, 2024, respectively.

    (b)

    Adjustments relate to the tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments, which were determined based on the nature of the underlying non-GAAP adjustments and their relevant jurisdictional tax rates.

     

    The Wendy's Company and Subsidiaries

    Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow

    Three Month Periods Ended April 2, 2023 and March 31, 2024

    (In Thousands)

    (Unaudited)





    Three Months Ended



    2023



    2024

    Net cash provided by operating activities

    $              52,975



    $              99,987

    Plus (less):







    Capital expenditures

    (12,240)



    (17,354)

    Advertising funds impact (a)

    22,962



    (21,850)

    Free cash flow

    $              63,697



    $              60,783

    (a)

    Represents the net change in the restricted operating assets and liabilities of our advertising funds, which is included in "Changes in operating assets and liabilities and other, net," and the excess of advertising funds expense over advertising funds revenue, which is included in "Net income."

    Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-wendys-company-reports-first-quarter-2024-results-302133558.html

    SOURCE The Wendy's Company

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