Domino’s Deals Boost Earnings But Consumer Sentiment Rings Alarm Bells

Deals, delivery and a new menu propped up sales at pizza giant Domino’s. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Domino’s Pizza Inc. has reported stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings, driven by customer demand for promotions and its popular stuffed crust pizza, though the pizza giant noted that sales momentum had slowed early in the fourth quarter.

U.S. same-store sales rose 5.2% in the third quarter, exceeding analysts’ consensus expectations of a circa 4.3% gain, the company said Tuesday. Earnings came in at $4.08 per share, also topping the consensus estimate of $3.95. Shares are up around 4% on New York trading.

Domino’s Chief Financial Officer Sandeep Reddy said on the company’s earnings call that it remained on track to hit its 2026 goal of 3% U.S. comparable sales growth, and expected a similar pace this year.

Growth, he said, continues to be fueled by share gains in the quick-service pizza category and rising orders through the company’s partnership with delivery specialist DoorDash. Reddy reaffirmed expectations for 1%–2% international same-store sales growth this year and said Domino’s has not experienced major disruptions from global economic or geopolitical risks so far.

Domino’s Warns Of Weaker Sentiment

Reddy cautioned, however, that the broader U.S. economy could weigh on future results.

“Comparable sales could come under pressure from the macro environment, which we’ve seen tighten across the restaurant industry early in the fourth quarter,” he said.

Echoing his concerns, sales were strongest in July and August before moderating in September, according to a note from Evercore analyst David Palmer.

Restaurant stocks have struggled this year — Domino’s shares were down 2.7% year-to-date before Tuesday’s small rally — as investors worry that lower-income consumers, economic uncertainty, tighter immigration policies and the popularity of weight-loss drugs are dampening restaurant demand.

Domino’s, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan credited its robust third-quarter performance to several key initiatives, including its ‘best-deal-ever’ promotion launched in August, the April rollout of its DoorDash delivery partnership and the introduction of its stuffed crust pizza in March.

Asked about tougher comparisons next year following these launches, Chief Executive Officer Russell Weiner said Domino’s still sees room to grow through its revamped loyalty program, expanded delivery network, plus new menu offerings.

The company also plans to extend its best-deal-ever promotion longer than originally scheduled to meet franchisee demand, Weiner added.

Domino’s And U.S. Retail Braced

Fears of weaker U.S. consumer sentiment were emphasized by data released Friday by the University of Michigan, with October holding near its lowest level since May as Americans grew increasingly uneasy about persistent inflation and a weakening job market.

The university’s index of consumer sentiment slipped slightly to 55 in October from 55.1 in September, reflecting concerns about household finances and the affordability of big-ticket items. The survey, which ran thru October 6, found that consumers were particularly discouraged by rising prices and dimming employment prospects.

“Pocketbook issues like high prices and weakening job prospects remain at the forefront of consumers’ minds,” said University of Michigan Director of Surveys of Consumers Joanne Hsu. “People don’t expect meaningful improvement in these factors.”

The findings mirror results from a recent Federal Reserve Bank of New York survey, which also pointed to growing concern over inflation and the labor market. The Fed said expectations for earnings growth continued to soften, while more respondents anticipated job losses and a higher overall unemployment rate.

Inflation expectations also edged higher. Americans also expect prices to rise 3.4% over the next year, up from 3.2% in August, and 3% over the next five years, compared with 2.9% previously.

Signs of a cooling labor market prompted the Federal last month to cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point, marking its first rate reduction this year after holding out against persistent pressure from President Trump.

Fed policymakers projected in their most recent outlook that they could deliver two additional quarter-point rate cuts before year-end, which would be a boost to Domino’s and U.S. retail going into the holiday season.