Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (CBRL) vs The Wendy's Company (WEN)

A side-by-side comparison of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and The Wendy's Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — CBRL vs WEN

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CBRL -37.9% (-4.7%/yr)WEN -21.5% (-2.4%/yr)WEN compounded faster over this window
100200300Start $10020182020202220242026$62$79
CBRL WEN

CBRL vs WEN: by the numbers

  • •CBRL is the larger company ($1.26B vs $1.17B market cap).
  • •WEN trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (9.33 vs 40.31 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •WEN converts more revenue to profit (5.72% vs 0.95% net margin).
  • •WEN grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.06% vs 3.30% CAGR).
  • •WEN pays the higher dividend yield (7.86% vs 1.78%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCBRLWEN
P/E ratio40.319.33
Forward P/E27.6012.32
PEG ratioN/A0.90
P/S ratio0.380.53
P/B ratio2.639.74
EV / EBITDA18.1610.39
FCF yield7.22%22.51%

Profitability

MetricCBRLWEN
Gross margin6.30%27.23%
Operating margin-0.15%13.39%
Net margin0.95%5.72%
ROE6.62%104.64%
ROIC-0.33%4.56%

Dividends

MetricCBRLWEN
Dividend yield1.78%7.86%
Payout ratio71.58%74.24%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCBRLWEN
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.30%4.06%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-33.28%9.94%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-17.02%2.42%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-13.51%-18.87%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CBRL or WEN?
WEN has the lower trailing P/E: CBRL trades at 40.31 and WEN at 9.33. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CBRL or WEN?
Over the past five years, WEN grew revenue faster — CBRL at a 3.30% CAGR versus WEN at 4.06%.
Does CBRL or WEN pay a bigger dividend?
CBRL yields 1.78% and WEN yields 7.86% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CBRL or WEN more profitable?
WEN runs the higher net margin — CBRL at 0.95% versus WEN at 5.72%.
How have CBRL and WEN total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CBRL delivered -4.48% and WEN delivered -2.19% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.