New York, Feb 23, 2026, 17:25 (EST) — After-hours
- Domino’s jumped 4.1% in after-hours trading following its fourth-quarter report.
- Same-store sales in the U.S. climbed 3.7%, while the company bumped its quarterly dividend up 15% to $1.99.
- Eyes have shifted to the 2026 U.S. sales forecast and how things are shaping up internationally.
Domino’s Pizza Inc (DPZ.O) jumped 4.1% to $400.36 in after-hours action Monday, following the company’s quarterly report. Earlier in the session, shares hit $412.68.
This print is drawing investor attention; restaurant earnings are doubling as a sort of pulse check on the consumer. As soon as shoppers start holding back, order volumes can flip, sometimes sharply. Right now, the fight is all about value offers.
For Domino’s, the key issue is attracting fresh customers through promotions—without slicing margins too deeply. Overseas demand, too, needs to quit weighing on results.
Domino’s posted a 6.4% jump in fourth-quarter revenue to $1.54 billion, with U.S. same-store sales up 3.7% and international comps edging higher by 0.7%. The company bumped its quarterly dividend by 15%, now at $1.99 a share. CEO Russell Weiner pointed to the “Hungry for MORE” plan, saying it delivered “MORE sales, MORE stores, and MORE profits.” (SEC)
Domino’s outpaced the 3.47% U.S. same-store sales forecast, driven by deals like the $9.99 “Best Deal Ever” and fresh menu launches such as Parmesan-stuffed crust pizza. For fiscal 2026, the chain is targeting 3% U.S. same-store sales growth, anticipating a faster start to the year, and credits its tie-ups with DoorDash for expanding its customer base. “Domino’s continues to steal share in the U.S. pizza category,” said Morningstar’s Ari Felhandler. (Reuters)
Internationally, results lagged. The company fell short of expectations abroad, with increased competition and softer demand dragging on performance—a sign that growth outside the U.S. remains uneven.
Domino’s keeps pushing value, aiming for predictable prices as diners watch their wallets. The strategy draws in more orders—but it risks making customers hold off unless a deal is on the table, particularly when competitors catch up fast with their own offers.
Domino’s continued its share repurchases and raised its quarterly dividend, giving the stock an extra layer of support. Investors typically pay closer attention to those stable cash returns when growth turns less predictable.
Margins remain under pressure. Rising insurance and labor expenses have hit the sector hard, while deep discounts threaten to eat into profits if delivery and franchise models can’t catch up.
Domino’s faces plenty of competition, both from national pizza giants and local shops, all vying for delivery orders. In this race, whoever moves fastest, nails the app experience, or keeps promotions going the longest tends to get the edge.
Investors now have their eyes on Domino’s to see if it reaches its U.S. sales goal for 2026 and manages to steady its international operations. Another key question: Will delivery partnerships actually translate into repeat business? Coming up, March 13 stands as the record date for the raised dividend, with payment set for March 30.
