Wendy's International Inc. is exploring a possible sale of the company, the nation's third-largest hamburger chain said Monday.

The company also warned that its earnings for the year would miss Wall Street estimates.

"While a sale remains only one of th under consideration, we believe it merits more thorough examination," James V. Pickett, Wendy's chairman and head of a special committee doing the study, said in a statement.

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The franchise operates two stores in Jamaica, at Liguanea and New Kingston, under franchise operated by Paul Issa.

The American company, under pressure from shareholders, formed a committee in April to determine how to boost its stock price. JPMorgan, as lead adviser, and Lehman Brothers Inc., as co-adviser, will conduct a review in conjunction with the committee.

A sale would cap a whirlwind year for the company, which has spun off its Tim Hortons coffee-and-doughnut chain, dumped its money-losing Baja Fresh Mexican Grill and laid off employees at its corporate office.

The company said there is no assurance that a deal will be completed.

Wendy's also said it expects to make US$1.09-$1.23 per share for the year, primarily because of weaker-than-expected sales at stores open at least a year and higher-than-expected commodity costs.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected earnings of US$1.27 per share.