Arby's

Wendy's/Arby's says it expects its commodity costs to rise 2% to 3% this year.

Wendy's/Arby's Loss Narrows on Lower Costs Annie Gasparro 2011

Wendy's/Arby's posted a loss of $10.8 million, compared with a year-earlier loss of $13.6 million.

Wendy's/Arby's Loss Narrows on Lower Costs Annie Gasparro 2011

Shares of Wendy's/Arby's rose 6.8% to $5.06 in afternoon trading Thursday.

Wendy's/Arby's Loss Narrows on Lower Costs Annie Gasparro 2011

Trian, Mr. Peltz's hedge fund, has made big bets in the past on companies like Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc., H.J. Heinz Co. and Tiffany & Co., and sometimes has forced rapid changes, like pressuring Wendy's to spin off the Tim Hortons Inc. chain before buying Wendy's outright a few years ago.

Family Dollar Rejects Offer, Adopts Rights Plan Maxwell Murphy 2011

In January, the company gave preliminary same-store sales figures, saying Wendy's North America locations open at least a year saw sales increase 0.2%, while Arby's saw a 2% gain.

Wendy's/Arby's Loss Narrows on Lower Costs Annie Gasparro 2011

But Wendy's/Arby's will still be forced to raise prices, though the company declined to indicate by how much for competitive reasons.

Wendy's/Arby's Loss Narrows on Lower Costs Annie Gasparro 2011

Wendy's/Arby's is hoping to use the cash from an Arby's sale to help further its expansion of the Wendy's brand abroad.

Wendy's/Arby's Loss Narrows on Lower Costs Annie Gasparro 2011

Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc.'s loss narrowed amid modest sales gains at both of its restaurant chains and lower overhead and interest costs.

Wendy's/Arby's Loss Narrows on Lower Costs Annie Gasparro 2011

The quick-service company has plans to grow its Wendy's burger brand with new products and international development as it "explores strategic alternatives" for its Arby's sandwich chain, including a possible sale.

Wendy's/Arby's Loss Narrows on Lower Costs Annie Gasparro 2011

Wendy's adjusted company-operated restaurant margins narrowed to 14.4% from 15.6%, while Arby's inched down to 11.8% from 11.9%.

Wendy's/Arby's Loss Narrows on Lower Costs Annie Gasparro 2011