Wendy’s International, Inc. announced today preliminary same-store sales for the first quarter of 2007, which ended on Sunday, April 1. Sales at U.S. company restaurants increased 3.8 percent for the period, while sales at U.S. franchise restaurants increased 3.7 percent.
“We have produced ten consecutive months of positive same-store sales, dating back to the second quarter of 2006,” says CEO and President Kerrii Anderson. “Our new menu management strategy enabled us to continue our momentum, despite challenging weather conditions in various parts of the country during February and early March.”
In January, Wendy’s promoted its new double junior cheeseburger and crispy chicken Deluxe Value Meals. These combo meals include a sandwich, small order of fries and a 20-ounce cold drink at a suggested price of $2.99. Wendy’s also added a new limited-time seasonal cranberry pecan chicken salad in the first quarter, featuring spring mix greens, Mandarin oranges, chicken, dried cranberries, and pecans with a berry balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
In February, Wendy’s promoted several limited-time sandwiches locally, including the bacon mushroom melt cheeseburger, Mozzarella Lovers’ Bacon Cheeseburger, bacon Swiss chicken sandwich, and bacon Swiss cheeseburger.
In March, Wendy’s turned up the heat with its new 4-Alarm Spicy Chicken sandwich. The sandwich features a spicy chicken fillet topped with natural pepper jack cheese, 4-Alarm Chipotle sauce, jalapeno pepper slices, tomato, and romaine lettuce, served on freshly baked artisan bread.
Second-quarter promotions include new Chunky Chicken Salad Frescata and Double Melt cheeseburgers.
Wendy’s is currently promoting its new Chunky Chicken Salad Frescata deli sandwich. Featuring juicy chunks of all-white meat chicken blended with celery, onions, and green peppers in a Dijon ranch sauce. The sandwich is topped with tomato and romaine lettuce and served on freshly baked artisan bread.
Later this month, Wendy’s will promote its latest Double Melt cheeseburger offerings. The Steakhouse Double Melt features two fresh ground beef patties layered with bacon, warm Swiss cheese sauce, sauteed onions and mushrooms, and peppercorn sauce. The Bacon Swiss Double Melt features two fresh ground beef patties, bacon, warm Swiss cheese sauce and a slice of Swiss cheese.
Management plans to release its 2007 first-quarter results after the market closes on April 25, 2007.
The company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders is set for 9:00 a.m. ET on April 26. The meeting will be held at the Company’s corporate office in Dublin, Ohio, and will be webcast on www.wendys-invest.com.
