** Shares of fast food chain Wendy's WEN.O up about 5% at $7.26 premarket

** Co reports Q1 EPS of 12 cents, beating analysts' average estimate of 1 cent - LSEG data

** WEN says Q1 earnings were helped by higher average transactions, labor efficiencies and franchisee fees

** Co's quarterly adjusted revenue rises 2.2% to $432.3 million, compared with expectations $518 million

** Co reaffirms its 2026 targets

** As of last close, WEN down ~17% YTD