Arcos Dorados (ARCO) vs Wendy's (WEN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Arcos Dorados (ARCO) has outperformed Wendy's (WEN) over the past year, gaining 17.9% versus a loss of 32.9%. Over five years, ARCO leads with a +66.0% price change compared with -72.4% for WEN. Arcos Dorados is the larger company by market cap ($1.72 billion vs $1.17 billion), about 1.5 times the size.
On valuation, Arcos Dorados trades at a lower forward P/E (9.5x vs 12.0x for Wendy's). Wendy's offers the higher dividend yield (9.11% vs 3.42%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ARCO | WEN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $8.19 | $6.15 |
| Market cap | $1.72B | $1.17B |
| 1-day change | +3.61% | +0.57% |
| YTD return | +7.63% | -26.65% |
| 1-year return | +17.91% | -32.93% |
| 5-year return | +65.97% | -72.40% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 6.71 | 9.31 |
| Forward P/E | 9.47 | 11.96 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.22 | $0.66 |
| Dividend yield | 3.42% | 9.11% |
| Annual dividend | $0.28 | $0.56 |
| 52-week high | $9.75 | $10.12 |
| 52-week low | $6.67 | $5.94 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.05% | -39.28% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +37.94% | +23.19% |
| Average volume | 1.40M | 7.85M |
| Shares outstanding | 130.66M | 190.67M |
| Employees | — | 4,967 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Restaurants | Restaurants |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- ARCO has outperformed WEN by 50.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Wendy's trades at a higher earnings multiple (9.3x vs 6.7x trailing P/E).
- Wendy's offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (9.11% vs 3.42%).
About Arcos Dorados
ARCO stock →Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. operates as a franchisee of McDonald's restaurants.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants
About Wendy's
WEN stock →The Wendy's Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the operation, development, and franchising of a system of quick-service restaurants in the United States and internationally. The company operates through the Wendy's U.S., Wendy's International, and Global Real Estate & Development segments.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 4,967 employees
ARCO vs WEN FAQ
Which is bigger, Arcos Dorados or Wendy's?
Arcos Dorados (ARCO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.72B compared with $1.17B for Wendy's (WEN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ARCO or WEN?
ARCO returned +17.91% over the past 12 months, compared with -32.93% for WEN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ARCO or WEN?
ARCO has the lower trailing P/E at 6.7, versus 9.3 for WEN. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Arcos Dorados or Wendy's?
Wendy's has the higher yield at 9.11%, compared with 3.42% for Arcos Dorados.
Are Arcos Dorados and Wendy's in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Restaurants industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.