Article: Wendy's winged by surging rivals; Fast-feeder blames competitor's menus; observers slam its ads.(News)

Byline: KATE MACARTHUR

Wendy's is admitting that rivals have it on the run-and observers fault the fast-food chain's advertising.

Once the fast-food industry darling, the No. 3 burger chain trimmed its 2004 earnings outlook for the second time in a month, following a surprising 6% dive in October same-store sales at company-owned stores. John Glass, restaurant analyst with CIBC World Markets, called the October surprise "unprecedented,'' adding that at the low point of its woes McDonald's domestic comparative sales were down just 3%.

secret's out

Wendy's seems to have been hurt by rivals that have finally achieved menu parity. ...

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