Wendys Co vs 22nd Century Group Inc — how do they compare? Wendys Co trades at $7.55 (market cap $1.45B), while 22nd Century Group Inc trades at $2.17 (market cap $1.62M). The key difference: Wendys Co is far larger — about 895.1× 22nd Century Group Inc's market cap, and Wendys Co pays a 3.68% dividend while 22nd Century Group Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| WEN | XXII | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $1.45B | $1.62M |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Technology |
52-Week High | $9.89 | $594.00 |
52-Week Low | $6.17 | $2.13 |
Enterprise Value | $5.18B | -$2.69M |
Dividend Yield | 3.68% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Wendy's stock (WEN) trades at $7.61, down 5.23% over 24 hours, reflecting recent volatility after takeover speculation faded. The stock shows a bearish technical trend with key support at $7 and resistance at $8. Fundamentally, the company has beaten EPS estimates for three consecutive quarters but faces declining net income margins, from 7.58% in 2025 to 5.72% projected for 2026. Recent news highlights CEO Bob Wright's turnaround efforts, including a new marketing chief appointment to address quality and traffic declines.
The outlook is mixed: valuation ratios like P/E of 11.54 and P/S of 0.66 appear attractive relative to peers, but execution risks persist amid competitive pressures. Analyst consensus is cautious with 64.71% hold ratings, though the $8.13 price target implies modest upside. Key risks include sustained traffic declines and high debt levels, with debt-to-asset ratio rising to 55.68% in 2025.
XXII trades at $2.29, down 4.58% today, showing continued bearish momentum with negative technical signals. The company faces severe financial challenges with negative profit margins (-76.01% net income margin) and consecutive earnings misses. Despite analyst optimism (75% buy ratings), fundamental weakness persists with declining revenue and substantial losses. Recent corporate actions include a 20:1 reverse stock split completed June 2026 to maintain listing compliance.
The outlook remains challenging given persistent operational losses and negative cash flow from operations. Investment opportunity exists if the company can capitalize on its claimed $50B market opportunity and improve gross margins. Key risks include continued cash burn, competitive pressures in tobacco alternatives, and execution challenges in commercializing VLN products.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →22nd Century Group is a plant biotechnology company that uses genetic engineering and gene editing to control the levels of nicotine in tobacco plants. Its flagship product line, VLN®, is the first and only combustible cigarette authorized by the FDA as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP), containing 95% less nicotine than traditional cigarettes to help adult smokers smoke less.
Read more on XXII →