Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. DNKN is set to release first-quarter 2018 numbers on Apr 26, before the market opens. In the last reported quarter, the company's earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.6%. The company's earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters, resulting in a positive surprise of 3.5%. The company's sincere focus on menu innovation as part of sales-building efforts along with relentless expansion of its brands is expected to be reflected in first-quarter 2018 results. In spite a fully franchised model, high labor costs and intense competition in the industry continue to be potent headwinds, which is likely to dent earnings in the to-be-reported quarter. (read more: Will High Costs Affect Dunkin Brands' Q1 Earnings?) The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 52 cents, reflecting a 3.7% year-over-year decline.