Domino's Pizza Inc. reported its fourth-quarter earnings for 2024, revealing that the company missed Wall Street's estimates on both earnings per share (EPS) and revenue. The company's GAAP EPS was $4.89, falling short of the $4.92 estimate, while its revenue reached $1.44 billion, below the expected $1.48 billion. The U.S. market proved to be a weak spot for Domino's, with same-store sales growth at just 0.4% year-over-year, significantly lower than the anticipated 1.63%. This underperformance highlights the challenges the company faces in appealing to cash-strapped American consumers amidst increased competition from other fast-food chains. Despite this, Domino's marked its 31st consecutive year of same-store sales growth, driven by its 'Hungry for MORE' strategy and the 'Renowned Value' pillar. Internationally, Domino's performed better, with same-store sales growth of 2.7%, surpassing the expected 1.46%. Despite the domestic challenges, the company's global retail sales grew by 4.4% in the fourth quarter and 5.9% for the full fiscal year 2024. In response to the earnings miss, Domino's stock slid by 4.2% in premarket trading. The company also announced a 15% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it from $1.51 to $1.74 per share, signaling confidence in its long-term strategy. Looking ahead, Domino's anticipates continued pressure on consumer spending and a value-driven quick-service restaurant (QSR) marketplace in 2025. The company expects its food basket costs to rise by low single digits and aims for same-store sales growth in line with its long-term goal of 3%. Domino's plans to leverage its value offers and partnerships with third-party aggregators, such as Uber Eats, to drive sales. The exclusivity agreement with Uber Eats extends until May 1, but Domino's has begun negotiations with additional partners like DoorDash. Last year, carryout same-store sales rose by 6%, and the company's average delivery times decreased by 2 minutes over the past two years. Domino's also plans to roll out an upgraded ecommerce program this year, with Uber Eats accounting for 3% of its business.