Burger Chain Shares Drop After Wendy's Disappoints With Dip in 4th-Quarter Same-Store Sales

Shares of the nation's burger chains fell Friday as disappointing sales results at Wendy's International Inc. made some on Wall Street question whether fast food stocks could be impacted by a consumer spending slowdown.

Before the market opened, Wendy's _ the nation's No. 3 burger chain _ said its fourth-quarter same-store sales at U.S. company-owned restaurants fell 0.8 percent while December same-store sales dipped 1 percent.

The sales results disappointed Wall Street analysts, who largely expected a slight rise in same-store sales.

Restaurants have all struggled lately as consumers have pulled back on spending due to the weak housing market and higher gas and food prices. Higher costs for food and labor have also cut into profits.