DUBLIN, OHIO — After a challenging April due to COVID-19 supply chain disruptions, Wendy’s Co. released an update on June 8 showing some recovery at all locations.
The company said May same-restaurant sales were down 3.3% globally and down 1.9% in the United States. That is a dramatic change from the numbers in April which showed the quick-service restaurant down 15.3% globally and down 14% in the United States.
“The company and its supply chain partners effectively managed through this disruption by allocating beef to all Wendy's system restaurants, with deliveries occurring two or three times a week, consistent with normal delivery schedules,” Wendy’s said in a statement. “The company also shifted its marketing efforts in the short term to focus on chicken products in an effort to alleviate pressure on beef demand. At this point in time, beef supply has returned to near-normal levels across the Wendy's system.”
After launching its new breakfast menu in March, Wendy’s said approximately 8% of May sales were in the morning food category. US digital sales in May were about 4.5% as well.
Wendy’s numbers showed that as of May 31, 97% of its restaurants around the world are currently operating. The company said the US restaurants that remained closed are primarily due to their locations in places such as malls. Restaurants closed around the world are due to country-wide closure mandates due to the pandemic.
Wendy’s said it still has approximately $375 million of cash on hand. The company plans to go back to quarterly reporting after giving monthly updates during COVID-19 pandemic.