A Companhia de Wendy (Wen): Análise de Pestle [Jan-2025 Atualizada]

No mundo dinâmico dos gigantes de fast-food, a empresa de Wendy navega por um cenário complexo de desafios e oportunidades. Desde a mudança do gosto do consumidor para as interrupções tecnológicas, essa análise abrangente de pestles revela os intrincados fatores externos que moldam as icônicas decisões estratégicas da cadeia de restaurantes. Mergulhe em uma profunda exploração de forças políticas, econômicas, sociológicas, tecnológicas, legais e ambientais que estão transformando o modelo de negócios de Wendy, revelando como essa marca amada se adapta e prospera em um mercado global em constante mudança.

A Companhia de Wendy (Wen) - Análise de Pestle: Fatores Políticos

Impacto potencial da legislação salarial mínima nos custos de mão -de -obra do restaurante

A partir de 2024, o salário mínimo federal permanece em US $ 7,25 por hora. No entanto, Muitos estados implementaram taxas de salário mínimo mais altas. Para a de Wendy, isso cria variações significativas de custos de mão -de -obra em diferentes locais.

Estado	Taxa de salário mínimo (2024)	Impacto potencial nos custos de mão -de -obra de Wendy
Califórnia	$15.50	US $ 4,25 acima da taxa federal
Nova Iorque	$15.00	US $ 7,75 acima da taxa federal
Flórida	$12.00	US $ 4,75 acima da taxa federal

Políticas comerciais que afetam o fornecimento de ingredientes internacionais

A cadeia de suprimentos internacional de Wendy enfrenta regulamentos comerciais complexos. Tarifas importantes de importação afetam os custos de ingrediente.

• As tarifas de importação de carne bovina variam de 4,4% a 26,4%
• Tarifas de importação de produtos de laticínios em média 17,3%
• Produzir tarifas de importação variam entre 5% e 35%

Regulamentos governamentais sobre segurança alimentar e rotulagem nutricional

O FDA exige requisitos rígidos de rotulagem nutricional. Os custos de conformidade para Wendy incluem:

Requisito regulatório	Custo estimado de conformidade
Atualizações de rotulagem nutricional	US $ 1,2 milhão anualmente
Monitoramento de segurança alimentar	US $ 3,5 milhões anualmente

Incentivos fiscais potenciais para práticas de negócios sustentáveis

Os governos federais e estaduais oferecem incentivos fiscais para práticas sustentáveis. Créditos tributários em potencial incluem:

• Créditos de eficiência energética de até US $ 1,80 por pé quadrado
• Crédito fiscal de investimento em energia renovável de 30%
• Incentivos de redução de resíduos com média de US $ 0,05 por libra de resíduos desviados

Estabilidade política em regiões de operações de restaurantes e franquias

Wendy's opera em vários países com diferentes paisagens políticas. Principais mercados internacionais e suas classificações de risco político:

País	Índice de Estabilidade Política (0-100)	Número de locais de Wendy
Estados Unidos	85	5,938
Canadá	90	387
México	55	250

A Companhia de Wendy (Wen) - Análise de Pestle: Fatores Econômicos

Efeito da inflação nos custos alimentares e operacionais

A partir do quarto trimestre 2023, Wendy experimentou um 6,2% de aumento de custos de alimentos e embalagens. As despesas operacionais da empresa aumentaram US $ 42,3 milhões em comparação com o ano fiscal anterior.

Categoria de custo	2023 despesa	Mudança de ano a ano
Custos alimentares	US $ 1,24 bilhão	+6.2%
Despesas operacionais	US $ 673,5 milhões	+US $ 42,3 milhões

Padrões de gastos com consumidores no setor de restaurantes de serviço rápido

Os gastos do setor de restaurantes de serviço rápido alcançaram US $ 339,1 bilhões em 2023. Wendy experimentou a Aumento de 3,8% nas vendas nas mesmas lojas.

Métrica	2023 valor
Gastos do setor QSR	US $ 339,1 bilhões
O crescimento de vendas na mesma loja de Wendy	3.8%

Recessão econômica Potencial impactando refeições discricionárias

Os gastos discricionários do consumidor no setor de restaurantes mostraram resiliência, com 78,4% dos consumidores mantêm ou aumentam a frequência de refeições Apesar das incertezas econômicas.

Flutuações de taxa de câmbio para mercados internacionais de franquia

As operações internacionais de Wendy sofreram impacto em moeda, com Dólar canadense flutuando em uma média de 0,74 USD em 2023. A receita internacional de franquia foi de US $ 276,5 milhões.

Moeda	Taxa de câmbio médio	Receita internacional
Dólar canadense	0,74 USD	US $ 276,5 milhões

Condições do mercado de trabalho que afetam o recrutamento da força de trabalho

O salário horário médio de Wendy aumentou para $ 14,65 em 2023, com uma força de trabalho de aproximadamente 41.000 funcionários em 6.711 restaurantes.

Métrica trabalhista	2023 valor
Salário médio por hora	$14.65
Total de funcionários	41,000
Total de restaurantes	6,711

A Companhia de Wendy (Wen) - Análise de Pestle: Fatores Sociais

Mudança de preferências do consumidor para opções mais saudáveis ​​de fast food

De acordo com o Relatório de Saúde e Bem -Estar 2023 da DataSavencial, 73% dos consumidores buscam alternativas mais saudáveis ​​de fast food. As modificações de menu de Wendy refletem essa tendência, com opções de caloria reduzida e transparência nutricional.

Categoria de menu	Calorias	Proteína (G)
Sanduíche de frango grelhado	370	34
Salada de Apple Pecan	340	23

Aumento da demanda por itens de menu à base de plantas e vegetarianos

O mercado de alimentos à base de plantas atingiu US $ 7,5 bilhões em 2023, com 62% de potencial de crescimento em segmentos de fast-food.

Opção baseada em plantas	Ano de lançamento	Aceitação de mercado (%)
Wendy's Black Bean Burger	2022	48%

Crescente consciência da sustentabilidade e fornecimento ético

A Wendy comprometeu US $ 25 milhões à fornecimento sustentável de carne bovina até 2025, com 50% da carne bovina de fontes sustentáveis ​​verificadas a partir de 2023.

Mudanças demográficas que influenciam hábitos gastronômicos

Os consumidores milenares e da geração Z representam 64% da base de clientes de Wendy, com 58% preferindo plataformas de pedidos digitais.

Faixa etária	Porcentagem de base de clientes	Preferência de pedido digital
Millennials	41%	62%
Gen Z	23%	55%

Mídias sociais e tendências de engajamento digital no marketing de restaurantes

O envolvimento da mídia social de Wendy atingiu 3,5 milhões de seguidores em 2023, com 78% de taxa de interação no Twitter e no Instagram.

Plataforma	Seguidores	Taxa de engajamento
Twitter	1,2 milhão	82%
Instagram	2,3 milhões	74%

A Companhia de Wendy (Wen) - Análise de Pestle: Fatores Tecnológicos

Pedidos digitais e inovações da plataforma de pagamento móvel

No quarto trimestre 2023, as vendas digitais de Wendy representaram 9,5% do total de vendas dos EUA, com uma base de usuários de aplicativos móveis de 26,2 milhões de usuários ativos. A plataforma de pedidos digitais da empresa processou 276 milhões de transações em 2023, representando um crescimento de 14,3% ano a ano.

Métrica da plataforma digital	2023 dados
Usuários de aplicativos móveis	26,2 milhões
Porcentagem de vendas digital	9.5%
Transações digitais	276 milhões

Inteligência artificial em atendimento ao cliente e personalização

A Wendy's investiu US $ 18,5 milhões em tecnologias de personalização de clientes orientadas pela IA em 2023. O sistema de recomendação da AI da empresa gera valores 22% maiores de pedidos em comparação com interações não personalizadas.

Categoria de investimento da IA	2023 Investimento
Personalização do cliente da IA	US $ 18,5 milhões
Aumento médio do valor da ordem	22%

Tecnologias de cozinha automatizadas e melhorias de eficiência

Os sistemas de culinária automatizados implementados de Wendy em 743 restaurantes, reduzindo o tempo de preparação de alimentos em 17,6% e os custos de mão -de -obra em 11,3% em 2023. O investimento total nas tecnologias de automação de cozinha atingiu US $ 42,7 milhões.

Métrica de automação	2023 desempenho
Restaurantes com sistemas automatizados	743
Redução do tempo de preparação de alimentos	17.6%
Redução de custos de mão -de -obra	11.3%
Investimento em tecnologia de automação	US $ 42,7 milhões

Análise de dados para otimização de menus e insights do cliente

A plataforma de análise de dados de Wendy processou 3,8 bilhões de dados de interação com o cliente em 2023, permitindo 15,7% mais personalizada precisa do menu e um aumento de 12,4% nas pontuações de satisfação do cliente.

Métrica de análise de dados	2023 desempenho
Pontos de dados de interação do cliente	3,8 bilhões
Precisão de personalização do menu	15.7%
Aumento da pontuação de satisfação do cliente	12.4%

Tecnologias de entrega e pedidos sem contato

As parcerias de entrega sem contato expandidas de Wendy para 2.345 locais, processando 194 milhões de pedidos sem contato em 2023. O investimento em tecnologia nessa área atingiu US $ 27,3 milhões.

Métrica de tecnologia sem contato	2023 desempenho
Locais com entrega sem contato	2,345
Pedidos sem contato	194 milhões
Investimento em tecnologia sem contato	US $ 27,3 milhões

A Companhia de Wendy (Wen) - Análise de Pestle: Fatores Legais

Conformidade com os regulamentos de segurança alimentar

A aderência de Wendy aos regulamentos da Lei de Modernização de Segurança Alimentar da FDA. Em 2023, a empresa registrou 99,8% de conformidade com os padrões internos de segurança alimentar.

Órgão regulatório	Métrica de conformidade	2023 desempenho
FDA	Inspeções de segurança alimentar	99,8% de taxa de aprovação
USDA	Verificações de qualidade da carne	100% de conformidade

Direito de emprego e estruturas de contrato de franquia

A Wendy's opera 6.711 restaurantes globalmente, com 91,7% sendo de propriedade da franquia a partir do quarto trimestre 2023.

Métrica de franquia	2023 dados
Total de restaurantes	6,711
Porcentagem de propriedade da franquia	91.7%
Taxa média de franquia	$50,000

Proteção à propriedade intelectual

A Wendy's detém 127 registros ativos de marca registrada a partir de 2023, protegendo as inovações da marca e do menu.

Categoria IP	Número de registros
Marcas comerciais	127
Slogans registrados	18
Patentes do item de menu	12

Riscos potenciais de litígios

Em 2023, Wendy enfrentou 37 reivindicações legais, com despesas totais relacionadas a litígios de US $ 4,2 milhões.

Categoria de litígio	Número de reivindicações	Despesas totais
Disputas de emprego	22	US $ 2,1 milhões
Reivindicações do cliente	15	US $ 2,1 milhões

Privacidade de dados e requisitos regulatórios de segurança cibernética

A Wendy's investiu US $ 7,3 milhões em infraestrutura de segurança cibernética em 2023, mantendo a conformidade com os regulamentos de GDPR e CCPA.

Métrica de segurança cibernética	2023 dados
Investimento de segurança cibernética	US $ 7,3 milhões
Dados Brecha Incidentes	0
Estruturas de conformidade	GDPR, CCPA

A Companhia de Wendy (Wen) - Análise de Pestle: Fatores Ambientais

Iniciativas sustentáveis ​​de embalagem e redução de resíduos

A partir de 2024, Wendy está comprometido em tornar 100% da embalagem reciclável, compostável ou degradável marinha até 2026. A taxa de reciclagem de embalagem atual é de 78%. Alvo anual de redução de resíduos: redução de 15% em comparação com a linha de base de 2020.

Tipo de embalagem	Porcentagem de reciclabilidade	Redução anual de resíduos
Embalagem de papel	92%	8.500 toneladas
Recipientes de plástico	65%	3.200 toneladas

Estratégias de redução de pegada de carbono

Alvo de redução de emissões de gases de efeito estufa de Wendy: 30% até 2030. Pegada de carbono atual: 425.000 toneladas métricas equivalentes anualmente.

Fonte de emissão	Emissões atuais (toneladas métricas CO2)	Alvo de redução
Operações de restaurantes	185,000	25%
Cadeia de mantimentos	240,000	35%

Práticas de fornecimento para ingredientes ambientalmente responsáveis

Compromisso de fornecimento de ingredientes sustentáveis: 75% da carne bovina de fontes sustentáveis ​​verificadas até 2025. Suporte de carne sustentável atual: 62%.

Eficiência energética nas operações de restaurantes

Objetivo de redução do consumo de energia: 20% por restaurante até 2027. Uso médio de energia do restaurante: 350.000 kWh anualmente. Investimento em equipamentos com eficiência energética: US $ 18,5 milhões em 2024.

Medida de eficiência energética	Economia anual de energia	Custo de investimento
Iluminação LED	45.000 kWh	US $ 2,3 milhões
Equipamento de cozimento de alta eficiência	65.000 kWh	US $ 5,7 milhões

Impacto das mudanças climáticas nas cadeias de suprimentos agrícolas

Orçamento de mitigação de risco agrícola: US $ 22 milhões. Diversificação de fontes de ingredientes para reduzir a vulnerabilidade climática. Risco de interrupção da cadeia de suprimentos agrícolas projetados: 18% até 2030.

Produto agrícola	Índice de vulnerabilidade climática	Regiões de fornecimento alternativas
Carne bovina	42%	3 países adicionais
Produzir	35%	4 regiões adicionais

The Wendy's Company (WEN) - PESTLE Analysis: Social factors

You're looking at how American tastes and workforce realities are shaping The Wendy's Company's strategy right now. Honestly, the social landscape is a tug-of-war between the need for a deal and the desire for better food choices, all while managing a tough labor market.

Growing consumer demand for value-focused meals drives menu innovation like the $5 Biggie Bag

Value remains absolutely top of mind for customers, which is why The Wendy's Company is leaning hard into its Biggie Bag platform for 2025. This focus is strategic; the $5 Biggie Bag, which typically bundles a choice of sandwich or Junior Bacon Cheeseburger with fries, nuggets, and a drink, leverages the brand's strong equity in value offerings. Here's the quick math: while the selling price is $5.00, estimated raw food costs are less than $2.75, possibly closer to $2.50 per bag. What this estimate hides is that the high volume these deals drive is key to keeping inventory, like fries and nuggets, turning over quickly, which cuts down on waste and boosts overall profitability despite the lower margin per item.

Shifting dietary preferences toward plant-based and healthier options requires menu flexibility

The consumer plate is diversifying, and The Wendy's Company has to keep pace with this shift. It's not just about vegans anymore; it's about the flexitarian crowd. In the US, over 65% of consumers now actively look for plant-based options for perceived health benefits. This trend is reflected in the market itself; the United States Vegan Fast Foods market size was valued at $4.85 billion in 2025. To capture this segment, nearly 50% of US restaurants now offer some form of plant-based menu item. For The Wendy's Company, this means menu flexibility isn't a nice-to-have; it's a requirement to maintain relevance and capture traffic from a growing, health-conscious demographic.

Labor shortages in key US markets necessitate higher wages and automation investment

The restaurant industry is still grappling with a tight labor pool, which forces tough decisions on wages and technology. In key markets, like those facing mandated wage hikes, businesses are accelerating automation to offset rising labor costs. For example, in California, the $20 minimum wage led to employment declines of 2.7% to 3.2% relative to other areas, as restaurants automated what they could. To stay competitive and retain talent elsewhere, chains are improving wages and benefits. The Wendy's Company is responding by investing heavily in technology; robotic kitchens can slash operational costs by as much as 50%, which is a defintely attractive lever when labor costs are high. Still, the industry is projected to employ 15.9 million people by the end of 2025, showing that human capital remains central, even as tech adoption rises.

Here is a snapshot of the labor and technology response:

Factor	2025 Impact/Metric	Actionable Response
Labor Shortage Severity	Net loss of over 25,500 jobs in Q1 2025 (industry-wide)	Increased focus on employee retention programs and benefits.
Automation Potential	Robotic kitchens can cut operational costs by up to 50%	Investment in AI-driven kitchen equipment and self-service kiosks.
Wage Pressure	Mandated wage hikes in some states (e.g., CA $20/hr)	Increased capital expenditure on technology to improve labor efficiency.

High mobile app adoption means loyalty programs are crucial for sustained customer retention

Digital engagement is no longer optional; it's the primary engine for repeat business. The Wendy's Company has seen huge success here, with its loyalty program membership growing by 25% over the past year to reach 46 million members as of early 2025. This digital focus is paying off in sales, as the global digital sales mix reached a record 20.3% in the first quarter of 2025. The strategy is clear: use AI-powered platforms to deliver personalized offers and app-exclusive deals, which drives higher order frequency. If onboarding new digital users takes too long, churn risk rises; the goal is to make the app experience seamless and rewarding to keep those millions of members coming back.

Key Digital Metrics for The Wendy's Company (2025):

• Loyalty membership: 46 million members.
• Digital sales mix: Reached 20.3% in Q1 2025.
• Loyalty membership growth: 25% increase year-over-year.
• Digital sales growth: Increased nearly 40% year-over-year (Q4 2024 data cited).

Finance: draft 13-week cash view by Friday

The Wendy's Company (WEN) - PESTLE Analysis: Technological factors

You're looking at how The Wendy's Company is using tech to fight rising costs and capture more of the customer's dollar. Honestly, the pace of digital adoption here is what separates the leaders from the laggards in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) space right now.

Expansion of AI-powered drive-thru ordering (e.g., FreshAI) to improve order accuracy and speed

The rollout of Wendy's FreshAI, their voice-activated drive-thru assistant developed with Google Cloud, is a major focus. They are pushing this technology hard to get better order accuracy and speed, which directly impacts throughput. As of early 2025, they had it in over 100 spots, but the plan was aggressive: reach 500 to 600 locations by the end of 2025. Early results are compelling; the technology has reportedly boosted profit margins at company-operated restaurants by 80 basis points through improved labor efficiency. Plus, because the AI never forgets to upsell, it's increasing the average check size. This isn't just a test anymore; it's becoming standard operating procedure in hundreds of restaurants.

Digital sales mix is projected to exceed 15% of total systemwide sales in 2025

You asked about the digital sales mix hitting 15%-well, they blew past that benchmark. By the end of Q4 2024, the digital mix was already at 19%, and by Q3 2025, U.S. digital sales were reported at 20.3% of total sales. This shows the investment in the app and loyalty is paying off in terms of transaction volume shifting to digital channels. The key here is that digital orders often carry a higher average check value, which is a crucial lever for profitability when commodity inflation is running around 4% for the year.

Investment in mobile app and loyalty program features to capture first-party customer data

Capturing direct customer data through your own app and loyalty program is gold; it lets you market without paying third-party delivery fees. For 2025, The Wendy's Company planned to more than double its digital capital expenditures to between $100 million and $110 million, up from over $53 million allocated in 2023. This spend fuels enhancements to the mobile app and the loyalty program, which already boasted 46 million members as of early 2025. The strategy is clear: use AI analytics to deliver personalized offers, encouraging repeat visits and driving engagement directly through their platform.

Automation in kitchen operations (e.g., fryers) to offset rising labor costs

Labor is a huge pressure point, especially with wage rates rising about 4% across the system in 2025. While the focus is on AI at the drive-thru, automation extends to the front counter too. They are rolling out self-service ordering kiosks, with plans to have them in 1,000 restaurants by the end of the year. The COO noted these machines, which cost roughly $15,000 for a set of three, help reduce labor costs. This is a direct, tangible action to manage the P&L against wage inflation, freeing up crew members for food prep and service execution.

Here's a quick look at the scale of their 2025 technology deployment and investment:

Technology Initiative	Metric/Value	Target/Status (as of 2025)
FreshAI Drive-Thru Rollout	Number of Locations	Targeting 500 to 600 locations by EOY 2025
Digital Sales Mix	Percentage of Total Sales	Reported at 20.3% in Q3 2025
Digital Capital Expenditure	Planned Investment	$100 million to $110 million for 2025
Loyalty Program Size	Total Membership	Reached 46 million members
Self-Service Kiosks	Deployment Goal	Installation planned in 1,000 restaurants by EOY 2025

What this estimate hides is the friction some customers feel with the AI, but the financial upside from efficiency and check growth is what management is betting on. Finance: draft 13-week cash view by Friday.

The Wendy's Company (WEN) - PESTLE Analysis: Legal factors

You're looking at the legal landscape for The Wendy's Company, and honestly, it's a minefield of compliance that can chew up cash flow faster than a lunch rush. The sheer volume of digital interaction and global growth means legal risk is baked into the 2025 operating model.

Increased litigation risk related to data privacy and security

Data security remains a top-tier headache. Even though the major 2016 data breach settlement is in motion, with some plaintiffs claiming unauthorized charges around $600, the risk hasn't vanished. We're seeing ongoing class actions, like the one related to the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) where former employees may be entitled to an estimated $575 payment per member for improper fingerprint scanning. This shows that even internal data handling, especially with POS systems, is under the microscope. If onboarding takes 14+ days, churn risk rises.

The digital platform growth-which hit a record 20.3% of global sales mix in Q1 2025-means compliance with rules like CCPA and GDPR is non-negotiable. A single misstep in handling personally identifiable information (PII) can trigger multi-million dollar exposure, regardless of whether the company is directly liable or if a franchisee messes up.

Complex international franchising laws and intellectual property protection in new markets

The Wendy's Company is pushing hard internationally; they finalized deals in July 2025 to add up to 190 new restaurants across Italy (170 units by 2035) and Armenia (20 units by 2030). This aggressive expansion, supporting the goal of 2,000 international restaurants by 2028, means navigating a patchwork of local labor, real estate, and IP laws. Each new market brings unique challenges in protecting the brand's intellectual property, from trademarks to trade secrets, which is crucial when you rely on franchisees for 70% of your unit growth outside the U.S. You need ironclad local agreements.

Class-action lawsuits over food marketing claims and nutritional transparency

The visual presentation of your product is now a legal battleground. There's an active class-action suit alleging that the burgers in The Wendy's Company ads are at least 15% larger than what customers actually receive, thanks to food stylists and digital editing. This isn't just about managing expectations; it's about deceptive trade practices. Also, don't forget the TCPA suit filed in June 2025 regarding promotional text messages sent to consumers on the Do Not Call Registry. These suits chip away at the brand's credibility and force expensive defense spending.

Here's the quick math: Defending against these claims impacts the bottom line, which saw Net Income for Q3 2025 fall to $44.3 million year-over-year. Every dollar spent on legal defense is a dollar not going toward capital expenditures, which are budgeted between $100 to $110 million for fiscal 2025.

Regulatory changes impacting advertising standards, especially targeting children

Regulators globally are cracking down on marketing to kids, and this is a major near-term risk. In the UK, new rules banning junk food ads before the 9 pm watershed and online were set to take effect in October 2025. In the U.S., a sweeping federal bill was introduced in 2025 to restrict advertising to children, mirroring international trends. What this estimate hides is the potential shift in marketing spend; prior research estimated food companies spent $14 billion annually targeting children. The Wendy's Company must rapidly pivot marketing away from younger demographics or risk non-compliance fines and reputational damage.

Key Legal and Regulatory Exposure Points for The Wendy's Company (2025 Data)

Legal/Regulatory Area	Associated Value/Target	Relevance to The Wendy's Company
Data Privacy (BIPA Settlement Estimate)	$575 per member	Risk from employee biometric data collection by franchisees.
Marketing Claims (Burger Size Discrepancy)	At least 15% larger in ads	Basis for ongoing false advertising class action litigation.
International Expansion Target (Italy/Armenia)	190 new units planned	Increases exposure to varied international franchising laws.
Advertising Regulation (UK/US 2025)	Ad ban effective October 2025 (UK)	Forces immediate review of digital and TV marketing spend.
Q3 2025 Net Income	$44.3 million	Shows the financial impact of operational and external pressures.

You need to review all digital marketing copy against the new US guidelines being considered by the FTC, and ensure all international franchise agreements explicitly address IP indemnification for local advertising breaches. Finance: draft 13-week cash view by Friday.

The Wendy's Company (WEN) - PESTLE Analysis: Environmental factors

You're looking at how The Wendy's Company is handling the increasing scrutiny on its environmental footprint, which is a major driver of investor sentiment right now. Honestly, the pressure is real, especially since beef, your signature ingredient, is such a big part of the climate conversation.

Pressure from investors and consumers to meet aggressive ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting standards

Investors are definitely pushing for more clarity on how The Wendy's Company plans to hit those big climate targets. Just this past May 2025, a shareholder proposal got 5.1% of the vote demanding more detail on the sustainability strategy, showing this isn't going away. Beef production is the elephant in the room; it accounts for 58% of the total emissions from the goods and services The Wendy's Company purchases, according to the United Nations data. The Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, Liliana Esposito, is leading the charge, but the market wants to see the roadmap for reducing that impact. It's about mitigating climate risk, plain and simple.

Here are the key climate targets you need to track:

• Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 47% by 2030 (compared to 2019 base year).
• Reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions intensity (per franchise restaurant) by 55% by 2030.

What this estimate hides... The latest reported data (from 2024) shows Scope 1 and 2 emissions are down 37%, but Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods actually increased by 1% per metric ton since 2019. That's the challenge.

Commitment to sustainable packaging goals, requiring costly material sourcing changes by 2025-2030

The goal to sustainably source 100% of customer-facing packaging in the U.S. by 2026 is a tight deadline, and it means real spending on new materials. As of the end of 2024, The Wendy's Company had reached 76% of that goal. This involves transitioning to options with higher recycled content or sourcing from responsibly managed forests, which costs more upfront than standard materials. For example, new packaging for Chicken Tenders is aligned with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative's (SFI) certified sourcing standard. You can see the scale of the material shift in the 2024 numbers:

Packaging Material Type (2024 Data)	Weight Used (Metric Tons)	Sustainability Note
Fiber-based (Renewable)	49,729	Fry cartons and chili cups use SFI certified fiber.
Plastic-based (Non-renewable)	36,685	Clear plastic drink cups are being transitioned to 20% recycled content.

If onboarding new suppliers for certified fiber takes longer than expected, that 2026 target is definitely at risk.

Managing the environmental impact of beef sourcing and supply chain emissions

The Wendy's Company is tackling the beef footprint head-on through partnerships, not just internal cuts. In 2025, they launched the Fresh Resilience Beef Cattle Program with AgSpire to help small- and medium-sized feeders in the Central Plains and Midwest improve nutrient optimization and feed efficiency, which is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, they joined the Legacy Landscapes Program to support ranchers in key beef-producing regions like Texas and Kansas with adaptive grazing plans. This is supplier relationship management in action. They also hit a key milestone: completing the water risk assessment for direct beef suppliers, meeting the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef's (USRSB) 2025 direct supplier water tracing goal. Still, absolute forest, land, and agriculture Scope 3 emissions were only down 6% from the 2019 baseline as of 2024.

Increased focus on reducing food waste across corporate and franchised locations

Because The Wendy's Company makes its food to order, they naturally have less significant leftovers than some competitors, but the commitment remains. They signed on as a U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champion, pledging to reduce food loss and waste by 50% by 2030 in Company-operated U.S. restaurants, aligning with the USDA/EPA national goal. This involves preventing waste, donating wholesome food, and recycling what's left over. For instance, unused product samples from the Restaurant Support Center, like from the Quality Assurance Kitchen, are regularly donated to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. It's a good system, but the 50% reduction target is still a long way off.

Finance: draft 13-week cash view by Friday