DUBLIN, Ohio — The Wendy’s Co. expects to report a same-store sales increase of about 3 percent for Wendy’s North America company-operated restaurants for the second quarter ending July 1.

“We produced our fifth-consecutive quarter of positive same-store sales with exciting new products that we introduced under our ‘A Cut Above’ brand positioning, including our Spicy Guacamole Chicken Club sandwich and premium signature sides,” said Emil Brolick, president and chief executive officer. “We supported these product introductions with our new advertising campaign featuring two different consumer advocates and the tag line ‘Now That’s Better,’ which has generated a very encouraging consumer reaction in a short period of time.”

The company also said it is reaffirming its 2012 outlook for adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations in the range of $320 million to $335 million. The company said it is targeting an average annual adjusted EBITDA growth rate in the high-single-digit to low-double-digit range beginning in 2013.