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      The Wendy's Company Reports Third Quarter 2021 Results

      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 every child in the North American foster care system a loving, forever home. Today, Wendy’s and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 6,700 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 Twitter and Instagram using @wendys, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wendys.

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

      News provided by

      The Wendy’s Company

      Nov 10, 2021, 07:00 ET

      Share this article

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      DUBLIN, Ohio, Nov. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wendy's Company (Nasdaq: WEN) today reported unaudited results for the third quarter ended October 3, 2021.

      "We are extremely proud of the progress we are making against our three strategic growth pillars," President and Chief Executive Officer Todd Penegor said.  "We continued to grow our breakfast business, digital sales accelerated, and we meaningfully expanded our global footprint in the third quarter.  Global Same-Restaurant sales grew in the high-single digits on a 2-year basis, reinforcing the strength of our brand in a challenging environment.  Our focus on executing against our key priorities and our continued partnership with the best franchisees in the business give me confidence that we will achieve our vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand."

      Third Quarter 2021 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

      Third Quarter


      Year-to-Date










      2021


      2020


      2021


      2020









      Systemwide Sales Growth(1)








      U.S.

      3.7%


      7.9%


      12.1%


      1.6%

      International(2)

      20.2%


      (3.5)%


      23.6%


      (9.3)%

      Global

      5.3%


      6.7%


      13.2%


      0.5%









      Same-Restaurant Sales Growth(1)








      U.S.

      2.1%


      7.0%


      10.2%


      0.9%

      International(2)

      14.7%


      (2.1)%


      17.4%


      (7.3)%

      Global

      3.3%


      6.1%


      10.9%


      —%









      Systemwide Sales (In US$ Millions)(3)








      U.S.

      $2,791


      $2,692


      $8,336


      $7,436

      International(2)

      $362


      $291


      $1,020


      $784

      Global

      $3,154


      $2,983


      $9,356


      $8,220









      Restaurant Openings








      U.S. - Total / Net

      27 / 6


      27 / 12


      69 / 20


      73 / 22

      International - Total / Net

      21 / 19


      6 / (4)


      60 / 43


      23 / 4

      Global - Total / Net

      48 / 25


      33 / 8


      129 / 63


      96 / 26









      Global Reimaging Completion Percentage





      70%


      62%









      (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 Venezuela and Argentina.

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

      Financial Highlights

      Third Quarter


      Year-to-Date














      2021


      2020


      B / (W)


      2021


      2020


      B / (W)













      (In Millions Except Per Share Amounts)

      (Unaudited)




      (Unaudited)















      Total Revenues

      $

      470.3



      $

      452.2



      4.0

      %


      $

      1,423.8



      $

      1,259.5



      13.0

      %

      Adjusted Revenues(1)

      $

      372.3



      $

      367.5



      1.3

      %


      $

      1,134.1



      $

      1,018.0



      11.4

      %

      Company-Operated Restaurant Margin

      14.4%



      16.9%



      (2.5)

      %


      17.4%



      13.9%



      3.5%


      General and Administrative Expense

      $

      62.8



      $

      47.3



      (32.8)

      %


      $

      178.6



      $

      147.6



      (21.0)

      %

      Operating Profit

      $

      80.2



      $

      81.3



      (1.4)

      %


      $

      290.1



      $

      190.7



      52.1

      %

      Net Income

      $

      41.2



      $

      39.8



      3.6

      %


      $

      148.3



      $

      79.1



      87.5

      %

      Adjusted EBITDA

      $

      112.2



      $

      118.8



      (5.6)

      %


      $

      364.2



      $

      305.6



      19.2

      %

      Reported Diluted Earnings Per Share

      $

      0.18



      $

      0.17



      5.9

      %


      $

      0.66



      $

      0.35



      88.6

      %

      Adjusted Earnings Per Share

      $

      0.19



      $

      0.19



      —

      %


      $

      0.66



      $

      0.40



      65.0

      %

      Cash Flows from Operations







      $

      276.7



      $

      205.8



      34.5

      %

      Capital Expenditures







      $

      (43.4)



      $

      (44.9)



      3.3

      %

      Free Cash Flow(2)







      $

      273.7



      $

      133.6



      104.9

      %













      (1) Total revenues less advertising funds revenue.

      (2) Cash flows from operations minus capital expenditures, the impact of our advertising funds and cash paid for taxes related to the disposition
      of the New York market in Q2 2021.

      Third Quarter Financial Highlights

      Total Revenues
      The increase in revenues was primarily driven by higher franchise fees, as well as an increase in advertising funds and franchise royalty revenue, both of which were largely due to higher same-restaurant sales. The increase was partially offset by lower sales at Company-operated restaurants due to the sale of the Company's New York market during the second quarter of 2021.

      Company-Operated Restaurant Margin
      The decrease in Company-operated restaurant margin was primarily the result of labor rate increases, higher commodity costs, lower local advertising spend in the prior year, and customer count declines. These decreases were partially offset by a higher average check.

      General and Administrative Expense
      The increase in general and administrative expense was primarily driven by higher incentive and stock compensation accruals, technology costs primarily related to the Company's ERP implementation, and increased travel expenses.

      Operating Profit
      The decrease in operating profit resulted primarily from higher general and administrative expense, a decrease in Company-operated restaurant margin, and higher franchise support and other costs. These decreases were partially offset by higher franchise royalty revenue and fees.

      Net Income
      The increase in net income resulted primarily from lower interest expense as a result of the Company's debt refinancing completed in the second quarter of 2021. This was partially offset by a decrease in operating profit.

      Adjusted EBITDA
      The decrease in adjusted EBITDA resulted primarily from higher general and administrative expense, a decrease in Company-operated restaurant margin, and higher franchise support and other costs. These decreases were partially offset by higher franchise royalty revenue and fees.

      Adjusted Earnings Per Share
      Adjusted earnings per share was flat to the prior year driven by lower adjusted EBITDA offset by a decrease in interest expense and lower depreciation and amortization expense.

      Year to Date Free Cash Flow
      The increase in free cash flow resulted primarily from higher net income, the impact from the cash payment related to the settlement of the financial institutions case in January 2020, the timing of receipts of franchisee rental payments, and the timing of accrued compensation payments.

      Company Declares Quarterly Dividend
      The Company announced today the declaration of its regular quarterly cash dividend of 12 cents per share, payable on December 15, 2021, to shareholders of record as of December 1, 2021. The number of common shares outstanding as of November 3, 2021 was approximately 221 million.

      Company Increases Share Repurchase Authorization by $80 Million; Announces $125 Million Accelerated Share Repurchase Program
      The Company announced today that its Board of Directors has approved an increase to the Company's existing share repurchase authorization of $80 million to a total of $300 million. As part of this increased authorization, the Company intends to launch a $125 million accelerated share repurchase program in the fourth quarter of 2021. 

      The Company repurchased 1.9 million shares for $43.8 million in the third quarter of 2021 and has repurchased 0.7 million shares for $15.5 million thus far in the fourth quarter of 2021. As of the date of this release, approximately $125.1 million remains available under the Company's increased $300 million share repurchase authorization that expires in February 2022.

      2021 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) losses, 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 2021, the Company Now Expects:

      • Global systemwide sales growth: 11 to 12 percent (excluding the impact of the 53rd week)
      • Adjusted EBITDA: $465 to $470 million
      • Adjusted earnings per share: $0.79 to $0.80
      • Cash flows from operations: $345 to $365 million
      • Capital expenditures: $75 to $85 million
      • Free cash flow: $270 to $280 million

      Company to Host Virtual Investor Day on March 10, 2022 and Release Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2021 Results on February 10, 2022
      The Company will host a virtual investor day on Thursday, March 10, 2022 where it plans to provide an update on its long-term strategic vision, re-introduce its long-term outlook, and issue its outlook for 2022. The event will be available to all interested parties via webcast from the Company's Investor Relations website at www.irwendys.com.

      In advance of its Investor Day, the Company plans to release its preliminary fourth quarter and full-year 2021 results on Thursday, February 10, 2022. The Company will host a conference call that same morning at 8:30 a.m. ET, with a simultaneous webcast from the Company's Investor Relations website at www.irwendys.com.

      Conference Call and Webcast Scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Today, November 10
      The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, November 10 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 (866) 211-4759 for domestic callers and (647) 689-6752 for international callers. 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) disruption to the Company's business from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the impact of the pandemic on the Company's results of operations, financial condition and prospects; (2) the impact of competition or poor customer experiences at Wendy's restaurants; (3) economic disruptions, including in regions with a high concentration of Wendy's restaurants; (4) changes in discretionary consumer spending and consumer tastes and preferences; (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 accelerated 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) the Company's ability to achieve its growth strategy through new restaurant development and its Image Activation program; (11) the Company's ability to effectively manage the acquisition and disposition of restaurants or successfully implement other strategic initiatives; (12) risks associated with leasing and owning significant amounts of real estate, including environmental matters; (13) the Company's ability to achieve and maintain market share in the breakfast daypart; (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 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, misuse, interruption or breach of its systems or technology or other 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, the impact of reorganization and realignment initiatives, 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. Many of these risks have been or in the future may be heightened due to the business disruption and impact from the COVID-19 pandemic.

      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 is 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, such as the cash paid for taxes related to the disposition of the New York market. The cash paid for taxes related to the disposition of the New York market is excluded from free cash flow because the cash we received on the sales of those restaurants is being recorded in cash flows from investing activities. 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. For fiscal 2020, same-restaurant sales excluded the impact of a 53rd operating week. In fiscal 2020, same-restaurant sales compared the 52 weeks from December 30, 2019 through December 27, 2020 to the 52 weeks from December 31, 2018 through December 29, 2019. For fiscal 2021, same-restaurant sales will compare the 52 weeks from January 4, 2021 through January 2, 2022 to the 52 weeks from January 6, 2020 through January 3, 2021.

      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 Venezuela and Argentina due to the highly inflationary economies of those countries.

      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.

      Company-operated restaurant margin is defined as sales from Company-operated restaurants less cost of sales divided by sales from Company-operated restaurants. Cost of sales includes food and paper, restaurant labor and occupancy, advertising and other operating costs.

      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 more than 6,800 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 Twitter 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:
      Greg Lemenchick
      Senior Director - Investor Relations & Corporate FP&A
      (614) 766-3977; [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 and Nine Month Periods Ended October 3, 2021 and September 27, 2020

      (In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

      (Unaudited)






      Three Months Ended


      Nine Months Ended


      2021


      2020


      2021


      2020

      Revenues:








      Sales

      $

      171,078



      $

      191,946



      $

      553,660



      $

      522,961


      Franchise royalty revenue

      116,521



      109,344



      344,421



      301,891


      Franchise fees

      22,234



      7,476



      53,825



      19,754


      Franchise rental income

      62,446



      58,721



      182,190



      173,434


      Advertising funds revenue

      97,976



      84,755



      289,699



      241,468



      470,255



      452,242



      1,423,795



      1,259,508


      Costs and expenses:








      Cost of sales

      146,436



      159,545



      457,440



      450,170


      Franchise support and other costs

      10,509



      5,960



      27,080



      19,427


      Franchise rental expense

      34,424



      32,426



      101,058



      93,024


      Advertising funds expense

      108,529



      92,048



      310,642



      253,353


      General and administrative

      62,840



      47,322



      178,576



      147,553


      Depreciation and amortization

      30,940



      32,966



      93,243



      98,726


      System optimization gains, net

      (1,437)



      (23)



      (32,719)



      (2,333)


      Reorganization and realignment costs

      345



      3,375



      7,381



      10,196


      Impairment of long-lived assets

      566



      23



      1,831



      4,727


      Other operating income, net

      (3,092)



      (2,748)



      (10,800)



      (6,076)



      390,060



      370,894



      1,133,732



      1,068,767


      Operating profit

      80,195



      81,348



      290,063



      190,741


      Interest expense, net

      (26,000)



      (29,086)



      (82,990)



      (86,696)


      Loss on early extinguishment of debt

      —



      —



      (17,917)



      —


      Other income, net

      171



      181



      461



      1,113


      Income before income taxes

      54,366



      52,443



      189,617



      105,158


      Provision for income taxes

      (13,195)



      (12,690)



      (41,356)



      (26,060)


      Net income

      $

      41,171



      $

      39,753



      $

      148,261



      $

      79,098










      Net income per share:








      Basic

      $

      .19



      $

      .18



      $

      .67



      $

      .35


      Diluted

      .18



      .17



      .66



      .35










      Number of shares used to calculate basic income
      per share

      222,373



      223,907



      222,527



      223,521










      Number of shares used to calculate diluted income
      per share

      225,058



      228,317



      225,728



      227,833


      The Wendy's Company and Subsidiaries

      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

      As of October 3, 2021 and January 3, 2021

      (In Thousands Except Par Value)

      (Unaudited) 



      October 3,

      2021


      January 3,

      2021

      ASSETS




      Current assets:




      Cash and cash equivalents

      $

      571,502



      $

      306,989


      Restricted cash

      36,321



      33,973


      Accounts and notes receivable, net

      100,265



      109,891


      Inventories

      4,257



      4,732


      Prepaid expenses and other current assets

      23,820



      89,732


      Advertising funds restricted assets

      107,320



      142,306


      Total current assets

      843,485



      687,623


      Properties

      873,250



      915,889


      Finance lease assets

      210,660



      206,153


      Operating lease assets

      783,986



      821,480


      Goodwill

      751,805



      751,049


      Other intangible assets

      1,209,695



      1,224,960


      Investments

      41,356



      44,574


      Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases

      305,242



      268,221


      Other assets

      137,468



      120,057


      Total assets

      $

      5,156,947



      $

      5,040,006






      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY




      Current liabilities:




      Current portion of long-term debt

      $

      32,750



      $

      28,962


      Current portion of finance lease liabilities

      15,915



      12,105


      Current portion of operating lease liabilities

      45,541



      45,346


      Accounts payable

      26,506



      31,063


      Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

      158,800



      155,321


      Advertising funds restricted liabilities

      127,673



      140,511


      Total current liabilities

      407,185



      413,308


      Long-term debt

      2,360,763



      2,218,163


      Long-term finance lease liabilities

      528,775



      506,076


      Long-term operating lease liabilities

      830,488



      865,325


      Deferred income taxes

      279,813



      280,755


      Deferred franchise fees

      90,086



      89,094


      Other liabilities

      117,083



      117,689


      Total liabilities

      4,614,193



      4,490,410


      Commitments and contingencies




      Stockholders' equity:




      Common stock, $0.10 par value; 1,500,000 shares authorized; 470,424 shares
      issued; 221,301 and 224,268 shares outstanding, respectively

      47,042



      47,042


      Additional paid-in capital

      2,911,552



      2,899,276


      Retained earnings

      317,956



      238,674


      Common stock held in treasury, at cost; 249,123 and 246,156 shares, respectively

      (2,685,063)



      (2,585,755)


      Accumulated other comprehensive loss

      (48,733)



      (49,641)


      Total stockholders' equity

      542,754



      549,596


      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

      $

      5,156,947



      $

      5,040,006


      The Wendy's Company and Subsidiaries

      Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

      Nine Month Periods Ended October 3, 2021 and September 27, 2020

      (In Thousands)

      (Unaudited)



      Nine Months Ended


      2021


      2020

      Cash flows from operating activities:




      Net income

      $

      148,261



      $

      79,098


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




      Depreciation and amortization

      93,243



      98,726


      Share-based compensation

      16,735



      15,112


      Impairment of long-lived assets

      1,831



      4,727


      Deferred income tax

      (25)



      5,878


      Non-cash rental expense, net

      28,421



      19,967


      Change in operating lease liabilities

      (34,220)



      (29,539)


      Net receipt of deferred vendor incentives

      1,906



      5,061


      System optimization gains, net

      (32,719)



      (2,333)


      Distributions received from joint ventures, net of equity in earnings

      3,561



      1,187


      Long-term debt-related activities, net

      23,043



      4,866


      Changes in operating assets and liabilities and other, net

      26,636



      3,009


      Net cash provided by operating activities

      276,673



      205,759


      Cash flows from investing activities:




      Capital expenditures

      (43,401)



      (44,876)


      Acquisitions

      4,879



      —


      Dispositions

      52,657



      3,570


      Proceeds from sale of investments

      —



      169


      Notes receivable, net

      907



      138


      Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

      15,042



      (40,999)


      Cash flows from financing activities:




      Proceeds from long-term debt

      1,100,000



      153,315


      Repayments of long-term debt

      (955,782)



      (174,959)


      Repayments of finance lease liabilities

      (9,021)



      (5,850)


      Deferred financing costs

      (20,873)



      (2,122)


      Repurchases of common stock

      (125,656)



      (46,667)


      Dividends

      (68,963)



      (49,176)


      Proceeds from stock option exercises

      27,204



      15,540


      Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation

      (4,390)



      (5,409)


      Net cash used in financing activities

      (57,481)



      (115,328)


      Net cash provided by operations before effect of exchange rate changes on cash

      234,234



      49,432


      Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

      177



      (1,715)


      Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

      234,411



      47,717


      Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

      418,241



      358,707


      Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

      $

      652,652



      $

      406,424


      The Wendy's Company and Subsidiaries

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

      Three and Nine Month Periods Ended October 3, 2021 and September 27, 2020

      (In Thousands)

      (Unaudited)






      Three Months Ended


      Nine Months Ended


      2021


      2020


      2021


      2020









      Net income

      $

      41,171



      $

      39,753



      $

      148,261



      $

      79,098


      Provision for income taxes

      13,195



      12,690



      41,356



      26,060


      Income before income taxes

      54,366



      52,443



      189,617



      105,158


      Other income, net

      (171)



      (181)



      (461)



      (1,113)


      Loss on early extinguishment of debt

      —



      —



      17,917



      —


      Interest expense, net

      26,000



      29,086



      82,990



      86,696


      Operating profit

      80,195



      81,348



      290,063



      190,741


      Plus (less):








      Advertising funds revenue

      (97,976)



      (84,755)



      (289,699)



      (241,468)


      Advertising funds expense (a)

      99,550



      85,895



      294,139



      245,015


      Depreciation and amortization

      30,940



      32,966



      93,243



      98,726


      System optimization gains, net

      (1,437)



      (23)



      (32,719)



      (2,333)


      Reorganization and realignment costs

      345



      3,375



      7,381



      10,196


      Impairment of long-lived assets

      566



      23



      1,831



      4,727


      Adjusted EBITDA

      $

      112,183



      $

      118,829



      $

      364,239



      $

      305,604










      Revenues

      $

      470,255



      $

      452,242



      $

      1,423,795



      $

      1,259,508


      Less:








      Advertising funds revenue

      (97,976)



      (84,755)



      (289,699)



      (241,468)


      Adjusted revenues

      $

      372,279



      $

      367,487



      $

      1,134,096



      $

      1,018,040




      (a) 

      Excludes advertising funds expense of $8,979 and $16,503 for the three and nine months ended October 3, 2021, respectively, and $6,153 and $8,338 for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020, respectively, related to the Company's funding of incremental advertising.

      The Wendy's Company and Subsidiaries

      Reconciliation of Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share to

      Adjusted Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share

      Three and Nine Month Periods Ended October 3, 2021 and September 27, 2020

      (In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

      (Unaudited)






      Three Months Ended


      Nine Months Ended


      2021


      2020


      2021


      2020









      Net income

      $

      41,171



      $

      39,753



      $

      148,261



      $

      79,098


      Plus (less):








      Advertising funds revenue

      (97,976)



      (84,755)



      (289,699)



      (241,468)


      Advertising funds expense (a)

      99,550



      85,895



      294,139



      245,015


      System optimization gains, net

      (1,437)



      (23)



      (32,719)



      (2,333)


      Reorganization and realignment costs

      345



      3,375



      7,381



      10,196


      Impairment of long-lived assets

      566



      23



      1,831



      4,727


      Loss on early extinguishment of debt

      —



      —



      17,917



      —


      Total adjustments

      1,048



      4,515



      (1,150)



      16,137


      Income tax impact on adjustments (b)

      291



      (868)



      1,811



      (4,566)


      Total adjustments, net of income taxes

      1,339



      3,647



      661



      11,571










      Adjusted income

      $

      42,510



      $

      43,400



      $

      148,922



      $

      90,669










      Diluted earnings per share

      $

      .18



      $

      .17



      $

      .66



      $

      .35


      Total adjustments per share, net of income taxes

      .01



      .02



      —



      .05


      Adjusted earnings per share

      $

      .19



      $

      .19



      $

      .66



      $

      .40




      (a)

      Excludes advertising funds expense of $8,979 and $16,503 for the three and nine months ended October 3, 2021, respectively, and $6,153 and $8,338 for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2020, respectively, related to the Company's funding of incremental advertising.

      (b)

      The provision for (benefit from) income taxes on "System optimization gains, net" was $536 and $6 for the three months ended October 3, 2021 and September 27, 2020, respectively, and $8,802 and $(728) for the nine months ended October 3, 2021 and September 27, 2020, respectively.  The benefit from income taxes on all other adjustments (excluding the advertising funds adjustments) was calculated using an effective tax rate of 26.89% and 25.72% for the three months ended October 3, 2021 and September 27, 2020, respectively, and 25.77% and 25.72% for the nine months ended October 3, 2021 and September 27, 2020, respectively.

      The Wendy's Company and Subsidiaries

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

      Nine Month Periods Ended October 3, 2021 and September 27, 2020

      (In Thousands)

      (Unaudited)




      Nine Months Ended


      2021


      2020

      Net cash provided by operating activities

      $

      276,673



      $

      205,759


      Plus (less):




      Capital expenditures

      (43,401)



      (44,876)


      Cash paid for taxes related to New York disposition

      9,512



      —


      Advertising funds impact (a)

      30,876



      (27,297)


      Free cash flow

      $

      273,660



      $

      133,586




      (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."

      SOURCE The Wendy’s Company

      Modal title

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