What caused WEN's earnings to beat forecasts in Q4 2024?

Wendy's reported revenues of $574.3 million for Q4 2024, surpassing analysts' expectations by 10.31 million, resulting in a revenue surprise of 10.31 million. Wendy's exceeded expectations due to several key factors:

1. **Increase in Same-Store Sales**: Wendy's achieved strong same-store sales growth, marking the 14th consecutive year of global same-restaurant sales growth. This indicates a successful customer retention strategy and higher revenue from existing locations.
2. **New Product Innovation**: Wendy's introduced innovative products such as thick-cut bacon burgers and new chicken sandwiches, which likely contributed to higher sales. The company also plans to launch new breakfast items and enhance its menu with AI-powered drive-thrus, suggesting a focus on innovation to attract customers.
3. **Strategic Pricing and Promotions**: Wendy's implemented a $1 burger deal during March Madness, promoting its Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger and Double Stack burgers at a discounted price to boost sales and attract more customers through its app. This strategic pricing initiative likely increased footfall and sales during the promotional period.

In summary, Wendy's exceeded expectations by focusing on same-store sales growth, introducing new products, and executing strategic promotions. These initiatives collectively contributed to the company's strong performance and revenue outperformance.

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Revenue Surprise|Total Revenue|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|WEN|WEN.O|The Wendy's|2024 Q1|-6030000|5.34753E8|185|
|WEN|WEN.O|The Wendy's|2024 Q2|-8563000|5.70727E8|185|
|WEN|WEN.O|The Wendy's|2024 Q3||5.66739E8|185|
|WEN|WEN.O|The Wendy's|2024 Q4|1.031E7|5.74273E8|185|