Domino's misses on earnings, revenue as Wall Street remains optimistic about value platform - chof 360 news

Domino's (DPZ) posted fourth quarter results that mostly missed Wall Street's expectations.

On Monday before market open, the pizza chain reported that revenue increased 2.9% year-over-year to $1.44 billion in the fourth quarter, driven higher by a 4.4% increase in the food and cardboard costs for stores, in addition to higher order volumes. Same-store sales increased 0.4%, instead of the 1.72% jump the street predicted. Adjusted earnings came in lower too, at $4.89 per share, compared to an estimate of $4.93.

For the full year, Domino's missed on revenue and earnings too, but beat slightly on international same-store sales growth with an increase of 1.6%. 2024 marked the 31st consecutive year of same store sales growth.

In the release CEO Russell Weiner said its value strategy, dubbed Hungry for MORE, drove "strong order count growth, even in the face of a challenging global macroeconomic environment."

In the US in particular, he said its "pillar of Renowned Value" helped to gain market share among its quick-service restaurant pizza competitors. For the quarter, US sales ticked higher, up 0.4%, but that wasn't as high as the 1.72% gain the Street wanted. Weiner said he remains "confident" that Domino's will "continue to win and grow market share."

Investors may have already anticipated these poor results.

After battling bad weather conditions in the fourth quarter, Citi analyst Jon Tower wrote in a client note prior to earnings that "shares appear to have already moved on from what is likely a soft fourth quarter and start to the first quarter." Investors have their eye on growth drivers that could turn the tide in 2025 like menu innovation and third-party deliver partners.

Ahead of the company's report on Monday before the market open, shares are up more than 12% year to date, compared to the S&P 500's (^GSPC) 4% gain. However, Domino's one-year gain of 13% lags the S&P's 23% return.

NasdaqGS - Delayed Quote USD

462.37

-

(-1.99%)

At close: February 21 at 4:00:00 PM EST

DPZ PZZA ^GSPC

Here's Domino's reported in the fourth quarter, compared to the Bloomberg consensus estimates:

Adjusted earnings per share: $4.89, versus $4.93

Revenue: $1.44 billion, versus 1.48 billion

US same-store sales growth: +0.4%, versus +1.72%

Company-owned: -0.7%, versus +1.79%

Franchise: +0.5%, versus +1.74%

International same-store sales growth: +2.7%, versus +1.63%

Here's Domino's reported in its fiscal 2024 results, compared to the Bloomberg consensus estimates:

Adjusted earnings per share: $16.69, versus $16.70

Revenue: $4.71 billion, versus $4.74 billion

US same-store sales growth: +3.2%, versus +3.63%

Company-owned: +3.5%, versus +4.3%

Franchise: +3.2%, versus +3.63%

International same-store sales growth: +1.6%, versus +1.37%

Story Continues

A Domino's Pizza shop in Bloomsburg. The pizza chain posted earnings Monday that mostly missed expectations. (Photo by Paul Weaver/ Getty Images) · SOPA Images via Getty Images

In the quarter, the company opened a total of 364 stores, whereas in fiscal 2024, it opened a total of 775.

Challenges around its international unit growth is expected to be a "key focus for longer-term investors," going into this report Tower said prior to results. Many analysts are focused on its largest franchisee, Domino's Pizza Enterprises, which plans to close 205 unprofitable locations. The majority of those restaurants will be in Japan. Stifel analyst Chris O'Cull anticipates the closures will result in a roughly 100 basis point headwind to global net unit growth in 2025.

In the call with investors on Monday at 8:30 am eastern, Wall Street is eager to hear more about its partnership with third-party order platform, Uber (UBER). Domino's had set a goal to exit the year with a 3% increase in US sales from Uber.

Analysts are also eager to hear if it plans to add DoorDash once its exclusive Uber partnership ends at the end of the first quarter.

Innovation around stuffed crust pizza, which could come in the second half of 2025, could also be a boon, Deutsche Bank research analyst Lauren Silberman said prior to results. Other initiatives to drive same-store sales in the US this year include the company's loyalty program, app and website upgrades, and value platforms, Silberman noted.

Brooke DiPalma is a senior reporter for chof360 Finance. Follow her on Twitter at @BrookeDiPalma or email her at [email protected].

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