Wendy's (Nasdaq: WEN) reported earnings on Jan. 16. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Dec. 30 (Q4), Wendy's met expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded slightly and GAAP earnings per share increased significantly.

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 Wendy's booked revenue of $629.9 million. The 15 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $639.4 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 2.4% higher than the prior-year quarter's $615.0 million.

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

EPS details
 EPS came in at $0.08. The 17 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.04 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.06 for Q4 were 500% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.01 per share. (The prior-year quarter included $0.08 per share in earnings from discontinued operations.)

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

Margin details
 For the quarter, gross margin was 26.3%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.1%, 110 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.6%, 300 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $622.0 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.02.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.63 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.17.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 586 members out of 729 rating the stock outperform, and 143 members rating it underperform. Among 176 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 138 give Wendy's a green thumbs-up, and 38 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Wendy's is hold, with an average price target of $4.94.

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