Business Context and Reporting Period
Company: Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ARCO), the world's largest independent McDonald's franchisee operating in 21 Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Filing Type: Form 6-K (Report of Foreign Private Issuer).
Date: February 13, 2026.
Context: This filing contains a press release clarifying market expectations regarding the Company's performance for the first quarter of 2026 (Q1 2026).
Key Financial Metrics
Revenue and Profit: The filing does not provide specific revenue, profit, or cash flow figures for Q1 2026 or the full year 2025. It states that audited financial results for Q4 and full year 2025 will be published on March 19, 2026.
Systemwide Comparable Sales Growth: Management expects sequentially higher systemwide comparable sales growth in Q1 2026 compared to Q4 2025 on a constant currency basis.
Currency Impact: Local currencies in main markets are reported to be stronger in early 2026 compared to the beginning of 2025, which is expected to support total revenue growth in US dollars.
Operational Scale: As of December 31, 2025, the Company and its sub-franchisees operated more than 2,500 restaurants with over 100,000 employees.
Material Changes and Outlook
Correction of Market Expectations: The Company explicitly refutes market comments suggesting that systemwide comparable sales growth would decrease in Q1 2026 due to macroeconomic pressures. Management asserts the opposite is true based on performance to date.
Guidance:
- Q1 2026: Expected to show sequentially higher systemwide comparable sales growth versus Q4 2025.
- Revenue: Expected total revenue growth in US dollars is supported by favorable currency movements.
Upcoming Reporting Dates:
- Q4 2025 and Full Year 2025 Results: March 19, 2026 (before market open).
- Q1 2026 Results: Mid-May 2026.
Risks and Contingencies
Forward-Looking Statements: The press release includes standard disclaimers that expectations regarding Q1 2026 performance are subject to risks and uncertainties, including macroeconomic pressures in Latin America, which are beyond the Company's control.
Non-GAAP Measures: The filing utilizes non-GAAP measures such as "Constant Currency" and "Systemwide Comparable Sales Growth" to analyze trends, noting that sales by sub-franchisees are not recorded as Company revenue.
Investor Verification Checklist
- Verify the actual Q4 2025 and full-year 2025 audited financial results when released on March 19, 2026.
- Monitor the Q1 2026 earnings release in mid-May 2026 to confirm if the projected sequential sales growth materialized.
- Assess the impact of local currency fluctuations on reported US dollar revenue versus constant currency performance.
- Review the Company's subsequent filings for updates on macroeconomic conditions in key Latin American markets.