The Wendy’s Co (WEN)

Interest coverage

Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) US$ in thousands 403,479 365,824 349,763 270,532 287,452
Interest expense US$ in thousands 124,061 122,319 109,185 117,737 115,971
Interest coverage 3.25 2.99 3.20 2.30 2.48

December 31, 2023 calculation

Interest coverage = EBIT ÷ Interest expense
= $403,479K ÷ $124,061K
= 3.25

Interest coverage ratio measures a company's ability to meet its interest payments on outstanding debt. Wendy's Co has shown relatively stable interest coverage over the past five years, ranging from a low of 2.46 in Dec 29, 2019 to a high of 3.15 in Jan 2, 2022. This indicates that the company's earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) are sufficient to cover its interest expenses, with a recent ratio of 3.07 as of Dec 31, 2023. This suggests that Wendy's Co has a comfortable cushion to handle its interest obligations, reflecting a good financial health in terms of managing debt.


Peer comparison

Dec 31, 2023

Company name
Symbol
Interest coverage
The Wendy’s Co
WEN
3.25
Shake Shack Inc
SHAK
10.47
Starbucks Corporation
SBUX
9.84