DOMINOS PIZZA INC (DPZ) Q3 2026 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2026 results are not yet filed; Street expects revenue of $1.209B and EPS of $4.535, implying modest sequential growth and YoY expansion versus Q3 2025 actuals; EBITDA consensus is $255.3M* [Values retrieved from S&P Global].
- Trend context from Q3 2025: U.S. same-store sales +5.2%, carryout +8.7%, delivery +2.5%, with DoorDash fully rolled out and Stuffed Crust and “Best Deal Ever” driving positive order counts .
- Q3 2025 beat: Revenue $1.147B vs Street $1.136B, EPS $4.08 vs $3.96, and EBITDA $243.6M vs $235.4M; income from operations +12.2% YoY, supply chain margin +70 bps; Net income down on DPC Dash investment mark-to-market and higher tax rate .
- Management reiterated FY 2025 U.S. comp +3% and operating income growth ~8% (ex-FX), with macro softness intensifying early Q4 as a watch item; U.S. net stores +175 expected, intl SSS +1–2% (tilt to high end if macro stable) .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Positive U.S. order counts and market share gains driven by “Best Deal Ever” and Parmesan Stuffed Crust; carryout +8.7%, delivery +2.5% in Q3 2025 .
- DoorDash fully rolled out; management expects compounding aggregator impact through 2026; Uber tracking to plan, DoorDash larger channel .
- Supply chain margin +70 bps YoY on procurement productivity; income from operations +12.2% YoY; consolidated free cash flow T3Q $495.6M (+31.8% YoY) .
Quote: “Best Deal Ever is driving franchisee profitability… our franchisees asked to bring it back.” — Russell Weiner .
What Went Wrong
- Net income and diluted EPS declined YoY due to unfavorable DPC Dash investment P&L and higher effective tax rate (22.3% vs 20.4%) .
- U.S. company-owned store gross margin down 50 bps YoY on higher food basket pricing and wages .
- Macro headwinds intensified across restaurant industry at the start of Q4 2025; management warned of potential pressure on full-year U.S. comp if worsened .
Financial Results
Actuals vs sequential
Street estimates setup and Q3 2025 beat/miss
Note: Asterisks (*) denote values retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment breakdown (reported)
KPIs and unit growth
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We grew in all areas key to our success… carryout… delivery… order count growth… market share growth.” — CEO Russell Weiner (Q3 2025) .
- “We expect aggregators to continue to grow… DoorDash is bigger than Uber… compounding impact into 2026.” — CEO Russell Weiner (Q3 2025) .
- “Income from operations increased 11.8% in Q3 excluding FX… primarily due to higher U.S. franchise royalties and fees and supply chain gross margin dollar growth.” — CFO Sandeep Reddy (Q3 2025) .
- Brand refresh: “Hungry for MORE… bringing the focus back to delicious products and experience… ‘Dommmino’s™’ jingle.” — CMO Kate Trumbull (Oct 2025) .
Q&A Highlights
- Macro and U.S. comp: Management reiterated ~3% FY 2025 U.S. comp but noted an industry-wide sequential slowing to start Q4; share gains expected to continue despite pressure .
- Aggregator strategy: ~50% incrementality expected; Uber more urban/higher income, DoorDash more rural; pricing for franchisee profitability, steady build through 2026 .
- Franchisee economics/store growth: Strong pipeline supports ~175 U.S. net openings; broader builder base; competitive closures expand white space .
- Supply chain margins: Procurement-led improvements sustained; seasonal utilities impact acknowledged; pace likely tapers .
- Value strategy: Focus on order counts and frequency over pure ticket; “Best Deal Ever” extended by franchisee demand, consumers value customizable pizzas .
Estimates Context
- Q3 2026 Street setup: Revenue $1,209.5M*, EPS $4.535*, EBITDA $255.3M*, EBIT $233.7M*; Q1–Q2 2026 also modeled higher than Q3 2025 actuals, indicating continued multi-factor growth (value, aggregators, innovation)*.
- Q3 2025 print vs Street: Revenue beat by ~$10.8M, EPS beat by ~$0.12, EBITDA beat by ~$8.2M; operational outperformance offset by investment and tax effects .
Note: Asterisks (*) denote values retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Set-up into Q3 2026: Street models solid sequential and YoY growth; narrative drivers remain renowned value, aggregator build, and product innovation; monitor macro softness and food basket/wage pressure* [Values retrieved from S&P Global] .
- Q3 2025 execution confirms playbook: Promotions and innovation drove order counts and share gains, with supply chain margin improvement offsetting cost inflation .
- Aggregators are a multi-year tailwind: Full DoorDash rollout and Uber maturation should compound through 2026 while maintaining franchisee profitability discipline .
- Free cash flow and capital return: Strong FCF T3Q and maintained $1.74 dividend underscore balance sheet resiliency post-refinancing .
- International trajectory: China/India store growth offsets DPE drag; closures largely behind, improving visibility for 2026 .
- Watch items for revision risk: Effective tax rate volatility, FX on operating income, and investment mark-to-market (e.g., DPC Dash) can swing GAAP EPS .
- Near-term catalysts: Continued “Best Deal Ever” execution, brand refresh rollout, and app launch completion could support order conversion and narrative momentum .
S&P Global disclaimer: All values marked with an asterisk (*) are retrieved from S&P Global consensus data.