Wendy's

WEN

Market cap $1.43B

PayPal Holdings has hit multiyear lows, but the floundering fintech could make a faster-than-expected recovery. Wendy's shares have fallen into the single digits, and could soon attract private equity interest.

The Wendy's Co. NASDAQ: WEN delivered a double beat when it reported Q4 2025 earnings on Feb. 13. However, shareholders lost their appetite for WEN stock, which pushed it to its 52-week low at $6.73.

FRESH FACTS: Wendy's® Canada's long-standing Quality Choices value menu offers a variety of options under $4, perfect for snacking, meals, and late-night cravings. This week, Wendy's Canada is introducing a new Crispy Chicken Sandwich to its Quality Choices value menu, available any time of day (yes, even at breakfast!

I hadn't seen my boy in years. He wasted no time laying into my career decisions.

Shares of Wendy's Co (NASDAQ: WEN) are trading lower Friday, giving back part of Wednesday's sharp bounce that followed a fresh Schedule 13D amendment from activist investor Trian Fund Management. The pullback comes just days after the stock sank to a six-year low on weak guidance.

The Wendy's Company is upgraded to Strong Buy, trading at a deep discount despite robust cash flows and a well-covered 8.25% dividend yield. WEN's turnaround strategy includes 5–6% U.S. store closures in 2026, international expansion, and a focus on marketing, value, and quality to drive recovery. 2026 guidance is conservative: flat global sales, Adjusted EBITDA of $460–$480M, and free cash flow of $190–$205M, supporting a ~54% payout ratio.

DUBLIN, Ohio, Feb. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wendy's Company (Nasdaq: WEN) today issued the following statement regarding the Schedule 13D/A filed by Trian Fund Management, L.P. and certain of its affiliates with the Securities and Exchange Commission:  "The Wendy's Company's Board of Directors and management team regularly review the Company's strategic priorities and opportunities with the goal of maximizing value for all shareholders.

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Hedge-fund titan Nelson Peltz said his firm is looking for ways to boost Wendy's share price. Peltz's firm, Trian Asset Management, made the disclosure in an SEC filing early Wednesday.

The investor's Trian hedge fund firm has spoken with possible financing sources, co‑investors, and strategic partners about potential deals including an acquisition or other major transactions that could give the firm control of Wendy's.