Kraft Heinz Co vs Wendys Co — how do they compare? Kraft Heinz Co trades at $24.52 (market cap $29.23B), while Wendys Co trades at $7.53 (market cap $1.44B). The key difference: Kraft Heinz Co is far larger — about 20.3× Wendys Co's market cap, and Kraft Heinz Co pays the higher dividend (6.49%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| KHC | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $29.23B | $1.44B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $28.06 | $10.68 |
52-Week Low | $21.21 | $6.17 |
Enterprise Value | $45.55B | $5.17B |
Dividend Yield | 6.49% | 3.71% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Kraft Heinz (KHC) trades at $24.93, down 1.54% on the day, with a bearish technical signal and mixed fundamentals. The company reported three consecutive quarterly earnings beats but faces profitability challenges with a negative net income margin of -13.64% and ROE of -8.78%. Recent news highlights CEO Steve Cahillane's turnaround strategy with increased marketing investments, while analysts remain cautious with only 11.43% buy ratings.
The stock presents a value opportunity with attractive valuation ratios (P/E 13.04, P/B 0.81) and 6.4% dividend yield, but significant risks include ongoing earnings erosion, competitive pressures, and high debt levels. The consensus price target of $24.00 suggests limited upside from current levels, requiring careful monitoring of the company's execution on its growth strategy.
Wendy's stock (WEN) trades at $7.30, down 5.07% amid significant operational challenges. The company faces declining U.S. traffic, a 50% dividend cut, and loss of its position as America's second-largest burger chain to Burger King. Despite beating Q2 2026 EPS estimates ($0.18 vs. $0.16 expected), revenue trends remain weak with profit margins contracting from 7.58% in 2025 to 5.72% projected for 2026. Technical indicators show bearish momentum with key support at $7.00.
The outlook remains challenging as new CEO Bob Wright implements a turnaround strategy. While valuation appears reasonable (P/E 11.44, P/S 0.65), execution risks are elevated given competitive pressures and $2.66 billion debt load. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 62.75% hold ratings, reflecting uncertainty about the company's ability to regain market share and improve franchisee economics.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
In July 2015, Kraft merged with Heinz to create the third-largest food and beverage manufacturer in North America behind PepsiCo and Nestle and the fifth-largest player in the world. Beyond its namesake brands, the combined firm's portfolio includes Oscar Mayer, Velveeta, and Philadelphia. Outside North America, the firm's global reach includes a distribution network in Europe and emerging markets that drive around one fifth of its consolidated sales base, as its products are sold in more than 190 countries and territories.
Read more on KHC →The Wendy's Company is the second-largest burger quick-service restaurant, or QSR, chain in the United States by systemwide sales, with $11.1 billion in 2021, narrowly edging Burger King ($10.3 billion) and clocking in well behind wide-moat McDonald's ($45.7 billion). After divestitures of Tim Hortons (2006) and Arby's (2011), the firm manages just the burger banner, generating sales across a footprint that spans almost 7,000 total units in 30 countries. Wendy's generates revenue from the sale of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and fries throughout its company-owned footprint, through franchise royalty and marketing fund payments remitted by its franchisees, which account for 94% of stores, and through franchise flipping and advisory fees.
Read more on WEN →