We're about to exit 2025 at record-shattering highs for the S&P 500 ( SP500 ). Despite macroeconomic uncertainty, not to mention no clear evidence that companies' massive spending on AI will yield tangible results, large-cap growth stocks are sittingWith combined experience of covering technology companies on Wall Street and working in Silicon Valley, and serving as an outside adviser to several seed-round startups, Gary Alexander has exposure to many of the themes shaping the industry today. He has been a ...

Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) is one of the 13 Best Fast Food Stocks to Buy. On December 15, Jefferies reiterated its Buy rating on Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) with a price target of $350 after meeting with the company’s CEO, Michael Skipworth, CFO Alex Kaleida, and President of International, Raj Kapoor, during investor meetings in Australia. The meetings included a visit to Wingstop Inc.’s (NASDAQ:WING) first location in Sydney. Jefferies pointed out that the location in Sydney is “performing very well” ...

18 December 2025 U.S. Consumer Strategy & Quantitative Research U.S. Consumer Strategy; have we reached capitulation yet & should we prepare for a sector rotation? Webinar Transcript Alexia Howard +1 917 344 8453 alexia.howard@bernsteinsg.com Danilo Gargiulo +1 917 344 8475 danilo.gargiulo@bernsteinsg.com Zhihan Ma, CFA +1 917 344 8303 zhihan.ma@bernsteinsg.com Nadine Sarwat, CFA +44 20 7676 6849 nadine.sarwat@bernsteinsg.com Aneesha Sherman +1 917 344 8457 aneesha.sherman@bernsteinsg.com Cinnie Lin +1 917 ...

Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) is one of the Stocks That Could Mint Millionaires in 2026. Wingstop (WING): RBC Highlights Growth, Long US Runway On December 9, RBC Capital analyst Logan Reich raised the price target on Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) stock to $350 from $300 and kept an Outperform rating on the shares. In an investor note, the analyst noted that the company’s best-in-class franchisee ROIC should support double-digit unit growth while adding that Wingstop had a long runway in the US and was still ...

Key Takeaways CAVA stands out among fast-casual peers for 2026 with disciplined expansion and attractive unit economics.BROS leverages a drive-thru, beverage-led model with cult appeal and a long U.S. runway for expansion.WING franchised, digital-first growth faces traffic sensitivity, making normalization key to a 2026 breakout.As investors look toward 2026, fast-casual dining is expected to remain one of the most attractive growth areas within the restaurant industry. This segment offers a good mix of aff ...

Core Insights - Wingstop (WING) has experienced moderate expansion and top-line growth, primarily driven by the opening of new units, while same-store sales remain significantly negative, indicating ongoing challenges at the store level [1] Revenue Growth - The revenue growth for Wingstop is largely attributed to the addition of new units, rather than improvements in same-store sales, which have continued to decline [1] Store Performance - Same-store sales are reported to be deep in negative territory, extending a concerning trend for the company, suggesting persistent weaknesses in customer demand or operational challenges [1]

Core Insights - Chipotle Mexican Grill and Wingstop reported Q3 2025 earnings, highlighting their distinct strategies in a challenging consumer environment [1] Company Performance - Chipotle Mexican Grill is navigating a more favorable trajectory compared to Wingstop, indicating differing operational strategies and market responses [1] - Wingstop's performance reflects the difficulties faced by some fast-casual chains in the current economic climate [1]

Market Overview - U.S. equity markets experienced an upward trend in Q3 2025, with the S&P 500 Index rising by 8.12% due to improving economic conditions, solid corporate earnings, and expectations for monetary easing [1] - The Alger Small Cap Focus Fund's class A shares underperformed compared to the Russell 2000 Growth Index during the same period [1] Company Focus: Wingstop Inc. - Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) is a global restaurant brand known for its hand-sauced chicken wings, operating over 2,000 locations, primarily in the U.S. [3] - The stock of Wingstop Inc. had a one-month return of 6.80% but saw a decline of 21.79% over the last 52 weeks, closing at $259.08 per share with a market capitalization of $7.234 billion as of November 27, 2025 [2] - In Q3 2025, Wingstop's total revenue increased by 8.1% year-over-year to $175.7 million, indicating strong fiscal performance despite facing tough comparisons from previous years [4] Performance Analysis - Wingstop's sales momentum was driven by new menu offerings, increased marketing efforts, and growth in digital ordering, which enhanced brand awareness and profitability [3] - Despite the positive long-term growth outlook, Wingstop's shares declined later in the quarter due to reports of softer sales trends, attributed to a slowdown in the restaurant industry and consumer price aversion [3] - The company is viewed favorably for its long-term growth potential, with upcoming catalysts such as the rollout of Smart Kitchen initiatives and an enhanced loyalty program [3] Hedge Fund Interest - Wingstop Inc. was held by 39 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2025, a decrease from 47 in the previous quarter, indicating a decline in popularity among hedge funds [4]

Core Insights - Wingstop has achieved a significant milestone by opening its 3,000th restaurant globally, aiming to become a top 10 global restaurant brand with a long-term goal of over 10,000 locations [1][2] Expansion and Growth - The company has scaled from 2,000 to 3,000 restaurants in just over two years, with nearly 800 new locations opened since 2023 and a 50% increase in international presence [2] - Wingstop is now operating in 47 US states and 15 international markets, with plans for openings in Thailand, Italy, and Ireland [3] - The growth has been primarily driven by existing franchise operators, with over 70 brand partners expanding their number of outlets in Q3 2025 [3] Menu and Financial Performance - Wingstop's menu includes cooked-to-order classic and boneless wings, tenders, chicken sandwiches, sides, and housemade dips [4] - For fiscal 2024, the company reported system-wide sales of $5 billion [4] Future Plans - The company plans to expand its presence in Canada with three new restaurants in Calgary by 2026, following its entry into Ontario in 2022 [5] - Wingstop is testing an AI-driven kitchen operations platform to enhance service efficiency and simplify tasks for back-of-house staff [5]

Core Insights - Wingstop is on track to become a top 10 global restaurant brand, having opened its 3,000th location and aiming for over 10,000 restaurants worldwide [1][3] - The company has experienced significant growth, opening nearly 800 restaurants and expanding its global footprint by 50% in the last two years [1][3] - In the most recent quarter, Wingstop opened 114 restaurants, indicating a strong growth trajectory [1][3] Expansion and Market Presence - Wingstop has entered six new markets, including Australia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, and The Netherlands, now operating in 47 U.S. states and 15 countries [2] - The company plans to expand into Thailand, Italy, and Ireland soon, further enhancing its international presence [2] Financial Performance and Unit Economics - The company reported average unit volumes of $2.1 million domestically, with unlevered cash-on-cash returns exceeding 70% on an average upfront investment of $500,000 [4] - Over 70 unique brand partners opened Wingstop locations in over 100 different markets across the U.S. in the most recent quarter, showcasing strong demand for unit growth [4][5] - The attractiveness of Wingstop's unit economic model is reflected in the continued commitment from brand partners [5]