Wendy’s Q1 US sales fall but sees growth in international markets
Global system-wide sales dipped 5.5%. In Q1
Wendy’s reported a drop of 7.3% in system-wide sales in the first quarter of 2026 in the US, amidst lower consumer sentiment.
US same-store sales dropped by 7.8% in Q1, a further drop from 2.8% decline compared to the year before, whilst US system-wide sales reached $2.7b.
The company, however, reported strong momentum in international markets, with system-wide sales up 6%. The group also announced that it plans to build 1,000 restaurants in China over the next 10 years following a new franchise agreement with its operator in the country.
"We are taking decisive action to strengthen the Wendy's system and improve performance," said Ken Cook, Interim CEO. "During the first quarter, we introduced a new Biggie platform, upgraded our premium hamburgers, and launched new chicken sandwiches. Additionally, our focus on operational excellence is driving improvement in order accuracy and key customer satisfaction metrics. While our first quarter results reflect a business in the early stages of a turnaround, we are making progress to improve our U.S. business and are confident in the direction we are heading."
