Sonic (Nasdaq: SONC) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Oct. 16. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

The 10-second takeaway
 Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Sonic's revenues will wane -1.3% and EPS will expand 20.0%.

The average estimate for revenue is $149.3 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.24.

Revenue details
 Last quarter, Sonic reported revenue of $149.4 million. GAAP reported sales were 1.8% lower than the prior-year quarter's $152.1 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 Last quarter, EPS came in at $0.24. GAAP EPS were $0.24 for Q3 compared to -$0.08 per share for the prior-year quarter.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Recent performance
 For the preceding quarter, gross margin was 53.7%, 130 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 20.7%, 180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 9.6%, 1,270 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $542.0 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.59.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 369 members out of 419 rating the stock outperform, and 50 members rating it underperform. Among 111 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 96 give Sonic a green thumbs-up, and 15 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Sonic is outperform, with an average price target of $9.09.