How did DENN's Q4 earnings surprise compare to previous quarters?

Denny's Q4 earnings did not provide a positive surprise compared to previous quarters, as evidenced by the following points: 1. **Estimate Drops by Wedbush**: Wedbush analyst N. Setyan dropped FY2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Denny's, indicating a negative outlook on the company's earnings potential. 2. **Revenue Shortfall**: Denny's revenue fell short of analysts' estimates by 3.5% last quarter, with reported revenues of $111.8 million, down 2.1% year-on-year. This decline in revenue suggests that the company's performance in Q4 was weaker than anticipated. 3. **Consistent Performance Concerns**: The trend of declining revenue and missed estimates reflects ongoing concerns about Denny's performance across quarters. For instance, the company's Q3 earnings surprise was not provided, but it is likely that it did not exceed expectations given the overall downward trend in revenue. In summary, Denny's Q4 earnings fell below expectations, contributing to a series of disappointing quarterly performances.