Sponsored By

Wendy’s lines up value offerings as inflation impacts customersWendy’s lines up value offerings as inflation impacts customers

U.S. demand ‘generally strong,’ but CEO Todd Penegor says burger brand keeps eye on offers

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

May 11, 2022

3 Min Read
Nation's Restaurant News logo in a gray background | Nation's Restaurant News

The Wendy's Co. has noticed inflation impacting consumer behavior and is highlighting its value offerings in response, executives said Wednesday.

The Dublin, Ohio-based burger brand, which release earnings for the first quarter ended April 3, saw lower-income customers’ traffic slow and shift to higher-income segments.

Todd Penegor, The Wendy’s Co. CEO and president, said his company has seen consumer segmentation generally seen across all of the quick-service market.

“What we've seen in the first quarter and the bucketing under $75,000 cohort of customers,” Penegor said, “we have seen some of those folks start to slow on the traffic within the category, but that's been made up for by the folks making over $75,000.”

Wendy’s has worked to mak...

Create a free account or login

This content is available for registered users

Already have an account?

Read more about:

Wendy's

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.