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Wendy’s is on a roll. The burger chain saw a 15% increase in its stocks after Trian, its largest stakeholder, announced that they would discuss future deals with the company.
Trian Partners has filed a hedge fund, stating that they aim to “enhance shareholder value.” The multibillion-dollar investment management firm holds about 19% of Wendy’s company shares.
The firm was able to gather advisors and managers together who discussed strategies with Wendy’s higher-ups regarding options, plans, and strategies.
Management at Wendy’s announced that they are open to any proposal since the company’s goal is “to maximize value for all stockholders.” They went on further, saying that their board will carefully consider any bids from Trian.
Nelson Peltz is acting CEO and the founder of Trian Partners. He assumed stocks from Wendy’s back in 2005. “At that time, Wendy’s was one of America’s most beloved brands, but the business had lost its way after the passing of its founder Dave Thomas,” recalling how they decided to assume some stocks from the chain.
Currently, Trian owns three seats on the board, one held by its CEO.
Wendy’s has over 7,000 locations across the United States. During the first quarter this year, they had increased sales by 2.4%. The company has also declared a net income of $37.4 million, or roughly 16 cents per share).
The recorded quarterly revenue is down by 10% less when compared to last year’s figure of $41.4 million.
Trian continues to help the fast-food chain develop its brand. According to Titan, Wendy’s should continue to improve its operations and solidify its brand among consumers.
Over the years, the company has tried to experiment with its menu to provide variety to its customers, including offering its own breakfast menu in March 2020. However, the plan of the company to outperform fast-food giants like McDonald’s and Burger King was put at a standstill after the COVID-19 pandemic
When the US government imposed lockdown restrictions on Wendy’s, their sales plummeted, the same as any other business in the country.
Despite the problems, Wendy’s continued to serve their customers. Now that restrictions have eased, the possibilities are now opening for the company – the recent announcement by their shareholder, Trian Partners, is an example.
Amid worsening inflation rates, BMO Capital Markets downgraded Wendy’s market stocks, lowering the price target from $28 to $22. Following the announcement by BMO, Wendy’s saw a 2.5% drop in its stocks.
Management at Wendy’s is hopeful that Trian will help them recover from these losses. They have not announced how the fund would work, but it should make conditions better for the company.
Opinions expressed by CEO Weekly contributors are their own.
