• Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Portfolio Performance Today
Stock

Can Wendy’s catch up? CEO Tanner dishes on strategy to outperform rivals in 2025

by March 22, 2025
by March 22, 2025

A year into his tenure as Wendy’s (WEN) CEO, Kirk Tanner is looking beyond the iconic square burger to inject new energy into the 55-year-old restaurant chain.

In an increasingly competitive fast-food landscape, Tanner is betting on a multi-pronged strategy that combines enticing menu additions with cutting-edge technology to reinvigorate growth and attract investors.

Tanner’s vision includes a new burger featuring what he promises is “thick-cut” bacon, drive-throughs powered by AI, Frosty drinks with chocolate and vanilla swirls, as well as soon-to-be announced breakfast and chicken sandwich innovations.

“It’s huge,” Tanner told Yahoo Finance’s Opening Bid podcast when asked about the bacon.

I’ve eaten like six of these. I mean, it is substantial.

He added the company can always innovate and always move the bar higher.

Scheduled to roll out soon are: new chicken sandwiches (middle of this year), new thick-cut bacon burger (later in 2025), and new breakfast beverages (later in 2025).

One of the most ambitious elements of Tanner’s plan is the implementation of AI-powered drive-throughs.

Wendy’s aims to have 500 AI-powered drive-throughs by the end of 2025, a significant increase from the 100 currently in operation.

This technology promises to streamline the ordering process, improve accuracy, and enhance the overall customer experience.

Tanner also recognizes the importance of expanding Wendy’s physical presence.

The company plans to increase its total restaurant count from 7,200 currently to up to 8,300 by the end of 2028. It’s a key reason he took the job.

Tanner stated:

This is why I joined Wendy’s, for the potential for unit growth. That is the biggest unlock for the value. It’s directly correlated to the value of our stock. And the potential for us to build restaurants is tremendous.

Wendy’s shares have dropped 17% in the past year, underperforming rival McDonald’s, Yum! Brands, Restaurant Brands and Chipotle.

Wendy’s market cap stands at a mere $3 billion, compared to McDonald’s at $219 billion, Yum! Brands at $44 billion, Restaurant Brands at $30.8 billion, and Chipotle’s $66 billion.

Despite these challenges, Wendy’s has shown signs of progress. Its US same-store sales last year rose 1.4%, and Wendy’s same-store sales internationally rose 2.8%.

But, “While we view the company’s menu innovation efforts constructively, the categories of focus (chicken, frozen desserts, and beverages) will be fiercely contested grounds in the quick-service restaurant category with multiple brands expanding offerings, so the pace of innovation may prove to be table stakes for defending, rather than meaningfully growing, share in fiscal year 2025,” Stifel analyst Chris O’Cull said. O’Cull rates Wendy’s stock at a Hold with a $16 price target.

Despite lingering concerns on the Street if Wendy’s should still be in the competitive breakfast business, Tanner is fully committed to growing it from here.

Even with the state of pricey eggs, Tanner says Wendy’s can make a profitable egg sandwich. “[Breakfast is] still a profitable business,” added Tanner.

The post Can Wendy’s catch up? CEO Tanner dishes on strategy to outperform rivals in 2025 appeared first on Invezz

0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
From Powell to policy: Wall Street grapples with Tariffs, tech risks after Fed’s signals
next post
Brazil’s Brava Energia posts R$1.02 billion net loss in 4Q24: what went wrong?

Related Posts

Asian markets open: Nikkei futures slide, Sensex down...

August 22, 2025

Why Japanese carmakers are not raising prices in...

August 22, 2025

Europe markets open: Stocks slip as markets digest...

August 22, 2025

Zip shares hit three-year high on earnings beat...

August 22, 2025

Morning brief: Beijing’s jab at Washington, Nvidia’s setback,...

August 22, 2025

GE Aerospace, Boeing, among 12 defense stocks to...

August 22, 2025

Here’s why the XPeng stock price is about...

August 22, 2025

Nvidia’s Jensen Huang calls TSMC stock buyers ‘very...

August 22, 2025

Nio stock price to enter beast mode as...

August 22, 2025

Target stock wants its new CEO to deliver...

August 21, 2025

Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.

By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

Recent Posts

  • Why is the Fed Revising its Framework?

    August 22, 2025
  • Burger Chef and the McDonald’s Happy Meal: A Case Study in Creative Destruction

    August 22, 2025
  • Debt, Destiny, and Dalio: A Review of How Countries Go Broke

    August 22, 2025
  • Burger Chef and the McDonald’s Happy Meal: A Case Study in Creative Destruction

    August 22, 2025
  • Debt, Destiny, and Dalio: A Review of How Countries Go Broke

    August 22, 2025
  • Asian markets open: Nikkei futures slide, Sensex down 0.18% as Powell’s speech looms

    August 22, 2025

Editors’ Picks

  • 1

    Meta executives eligible for 200% salary bonus under new pay structure

    February 21, 2025
  • 2

    Walmart earnings preview: What to expect before Thursday’s opening bell

    February 20, 2025
  • 3

    New FBI leader Kash Patel tapped to run ATF as acting director

    February 23, 2025
  • 4

    Anthropic’s newly released Claude 3.7 Sonnet can ‘think’ as long as the user wants before giving an answer

    February 25, 2025
  • 5

    Nvidia’s investment in SoundHound wasn’t all that significant after all

    March 1, 2025
  • 6

    Cramer reveals a sub-sector of technology that can withstand Trump tariffs

    March 1, 2025
  • 7

    Elon Musk says federal employees must fill out productivity reports or resign

    February 23, 2025

Categories

  • Economy (2,285)
  • Editor's Pick (217)
  • Investing (185)
  • Stock (1,542)
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2025 Portfolioperformancetoday.com All Rights Reserved.

Portfolio Performance Today
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Portfolio Performance Today
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Copyright © 2025 Portfolioperformancetoday.com All Rights Reserved.

Read alsox

Home Depot stock is ‘on a path...

March 3, 2025

India’s energy transition accelerates as coal declines...

June 5, 2025

Russia plane crash: 49 people onboard feared...

July 24, 2025