DUBLIN Ohio Wendy's International Inc. said its new menu offerings were able to trump "challenging weather conditions" in the first quarter and drive positive same-store sales gains of 3.8 percent at U.S. corporate restaurants and 3.7 percent at domestic franchised locations.
Many restaurant companies have reported weakened same-store sales trends for the first quarter and especially for February and March, blaming winter weather for slowing consumer traffic and upsetting margins.
Comprising Wendy's first-quarter same-store sales increases were monthly gains of 4.8 percent, 3.3 percent and 3.6 percent at U.S. corporate locations in January, February and March, respectively. Domestic franchised restaurants posted monthly increases of 4.7 percent, 2.7 percent and 3.7 percent for January, February and March, respectively, the company reported.
Wendy's, parent to the 6,600-unit namesake chain, has posted 10 consecutive months of positive same-store sales since the second quarter of last year, the company reported. Its turnaround has been driven by a "new menu management strategy" that enabled the chain to introduce new products on a consistent basis, it said.
During the first quarter, Wendy's promoted its double junior cheeseburger and crispy chicken deluxe value meals in January, and a new limited-time seasonal cranberry pecan chicken salad in February. In March, Wendy's introduced its new 4-Alarm Spicy Chicken sandwich.
Wendy's currently is promoting its new Chunky Chicken Salad Frescata deli sandwich and later this month will introduce its latest Double Melt cheeseburger offerings, including the Steakhouse Double Melt, which features two ground beef patties layered with bacon, Swiss cheese sauce, sautéed onions and mushrooms, and peppercorn sauce.
Wendy's said it plans to release full first-quarter financial results on April 25.