Core Insights - Restaurants that effectively balance affordability, streamline operations, and enhance brand appeal are positioned to stand out in 2026 [1] Group 1 - The ability to maintain affordability is crucial for restaurants to attract and retain customers [1] - Streamlining operations can lead to increased efficiency and reduced costs, which are essential for profitability [1] - Creating a strong brand appeal helps restaurants differentiate themselves in a competitive market [1]

We recently published 9 Stocks Jim Cramer Talked About.  Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (NASDAQ:TXRH) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer talked about. Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (NASDAQ:TXRH) is a casual dining restaurant firm based in Kentucky. Wells Fargo upgraded the shares in December after bumping the rating to Overweight and setting a $195 share price target. The bank commented that it believes the recent dip in Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (NASDAQ:TXRH)’s share price is a good entry point as the restaurant struggles wi ...

Travis Hoium: Some of the best known stocks of the last decade have fallen in 2025. Can they make a comeback? Motley Fool Money starts now. Welcome to Motley Fool Money. I'm Travis Hoium, joined today by Jon Quast and Rachel Warren. Today, we want to talk about comebacks and potential comebacks to some really well known companies Chipotle, Target, Crocs. Those are the three that are going to be on the tip of our tongue today. But there's a number of companies that fall into this category. Chipotle stock Joh ...

Core Viewpoint - Flanigan's Enterprises, Inc. reported strong financial performance for fiscal 2025, with significant increases in sales and net income, despite facing inflationary pressures and rising operating costs [2][3][11]. Financial Performance - For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, sales rose to $49.2 million from $46 million, and net income increased to $0.9 million from $0.2 million, resulting in diluted EPS of $0.48 compared to $0.11 a year ago [2]. - Total revenues for fiscal 2025 increased by 9.6% to $205.2 million from $187.2 million, while net income attributable to stockholders surged by 49.9% to $5 million ($2.71 per share) from $3.4 million ($1.81 per share) in fiscal 2024 [3]. Segment Performance - Restaurant food sales grew by 8.5% to $124.5 million, and restaurant bar sales increased by 5.8% to $31.8 million. Package store sales advanced by 16% to $46.9 million, driven by higher customer traffic [4]. - Restaurant gross margin improved to 66.6% from 65.6%, while package store gross margin fell to 25.1% from 26.6%, indicating differing profitability trends across segments [7]. Cost Management - Total costs and expenses rose by 8.3% to $196.5 million, which was slower than revenue growth, leading to a 49.7% increase in income from operations to $8.7 million from $5.8 million [5]. - Payroll and related costs increased by 7.3% to $63.7 million, but payroll as a percentage of revenue improved to 31.04% from 31.70%, suggesting effective cost management [6]. Liquidity and Cash Flow - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of fiscal 2025 were $20.1 million, down from $21.4 million, primarily due to a land acquisition. Operating cash flow improved to $10.5 million from $6.6 million [8]. Management Insights - Management highlighted that revenue growth was driven by higher menu prices and increased sales, particularly from the Hollywood, FL location operating for the full year [9]. - To maintain margins amid inflation, the company implemented multiple price increases throughout fiscal 2025 [10]. Future Outlook - While Flanigan's did not provide formal numeric guidance for fiscal 2026, management expects continued growth in restaurant and package store sales, but also anticipates rising operating costs and a potential decline in package liquor store gross margin [12]. - The company plans to construct a new restaurant in Cutler Bay, FL, and has committed to purchasing $9.2 million of baby back ribs for calendar year 2026, reflecting increased market pricing [13][14].

Core Insights - McDonald's Corporation (MCD) achieved a significant milestone by surpassing $4 billion in total restaurant margin dollars for the first time in Q3 2025, indicating structural durability rather than a temporary earnings spike [1][10] Financial Performance - The company reported a 3.6% year-over-year increase in global comparable sales and over 6% growth in system-wide sales in constant currency, which helped mitigate the impact of food and labor inflation [2][10] - McDonald's maintained financial flexibility by increasing dividends while reinvesting in digital initiatives, beverages, and high-growth menu categories [4][10] Strategic Focus - The renewed emphasis on predictable, everyday value through initiatives like Extra Value Meals contributed significantly to stabilizing guest counts without compromising margins [3] - Management characterized the investments in corporate marketing and franchisee support as temporary, aimed at reinforcing long-term economic stability rather than pursuing short-term gains [3] Competitive Landscape - Compared to peers, McDonald's demonstrated superior margin durability, balancing scale, value leadership, and consistent cash flow, while Starbucks and Yum! Brands navigate profitability through different strategies [6][7] - Starbucks relies on premium pricing and a loyal customer base but faces greater sensitivity to labor costs and discretionary spending, while Yum! Brands benefits from a franchise-driven model that limits direct cost exposure [6][7] Stock Performance - McDonald's shares have increased by 7.5% over the past six months, outperforming the industry, which saw a decline of 5.6% [8] - The forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio for McDonald's is currently at 23.65, slightly lower than the industry's 24.2 [11]

Nothing in the Dow is getting hit all that hard. Walt Disney is down 1%, McDonald's is off 0.9%, and Boeing has declined 0.8%, not exactly declines that send us running for cover. But since the Dow is a price- weighted index, the fact that all three of the stocks in the benchmark that have prices above $400—Goldman Sachs, Caterpillar, and Microsoft—are all down on the day doesn't help. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is taking the brunt of the selling today, despite some good news—perhaps—globally. The Dow ...

Starbucks has been experimenting with artificial intelligence as it seeks to turn around its business and gain an advantage in the competitive industry. But even as the coffee giant pushes forward with automation, its CEO, Brian Niccol, insists that it's designed as a support tool rather than a substitute for workers.  "It’s more of a co-pilot than a replacement," Niccol told FOX Business during a September interview where he explained how human connection is a key in the brand's turnaround efforts. Niccol ...

I’m an equity analyst and founder of Goulart’s Restaurant Stocks, a research firm focused on the U.S. restaurant industry — from quick-service and fast casual to fine dining and niche concepts. I lead all thematic research and valuation efforts, applying advanced financial modeling, sector-specific KPIs, and strategic insights to uncover hidden value across public equities. In addition to restaurants, I cover consumer discretionary, food & beverage, casinos & gaming, and IPOs, with a particular focus on mic ...

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores. What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zac ...

Seattle, Washington-based Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) is the world’s largest specialty coffee roaster and retailer. With a global footprint of tens of thousands of stores across more than 87 countries, it currently holds a market cap of $96.2 billion. Founded in 1971, Starbucks operates primarily through company-operated and licensed retail stores offering premium coffee, espresso beverages, teas, food items, packaged goods, and merchandise under brands such as Starbucks Coffee, Teavana, Seattle’s Best Co ...