Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently talked about. A caller inquired about the stock, noting the recent dip. Cramer replied: “Okay, I think this is a really important call because I was surprised that it started going down… I fear Wingstop because they’ve not been, let’s say, that they don’t really offer the kind of guidance that I want. And let’s put it this way, I think it’s too high risk, and the restaurant stocks are not doing well. We own Texas Roadhouse for the Charit ...

US restaurant chain Wingstop is set to expand its presence in Canada with the opening of three new outlets in Calgary in 2026. The move marks the company's continued expansion in the Canadian market, following its entry to Ontario in 2022. The expansion into Calgary is part of a broader strategy under a 100-location development agreement with JPK Capital, the exclusive master franchisee for Wingstop in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. JPK Capital has already established a presence for Wingstop in Onta ...

Core Insights - Dutch Bros Inc. and Wingstop Inc. are rapidly expanding in the quick-service restaurant industry with distinct growth strategies [1][2] - Both companies are enhancing their market presence while facing challenges such as inflation and cautious consumer spending [3] Dutch Bros Inc. (BROS) - Dutch Bros is focused on disciplined expansion, aiming to reach 2,029 shops by 2029, supported by a total addressable market of 7,000 shops [5] - In Q1 2025, total revenues increased by 29% year-over-year to $355.2 million, driven by shop openings and improved productivity [6] - The company opened 30 shops in the quarter and plans to accelerate openings, targeting at least 160 system shop openings in 2025 [7] - Initiatives like order-ahead and loyalty programs are being implemented to enhance same-shop sales performance and customer convenience [8] Wingstop Inc. (WING) - Wingstop's system-wide sales rose by 15.7% to $1.3 billion in Q1 2025, marking the highest quarterly sales in the company's history [9] - The company opened a record 126 net new restaurants in the quarter and raised its 2025 unit growth guidance to 16-17%, indicating 410-435 net new openings [11] - International expansion is a key growth driver, with new markets like Kuwait and Australia showing strong demand [12] - Wingstop is utilizing AI-powered solutions to improve order consistency and enhance guest experience [13] Financial Performance & Valuations - Dutch Bros' stock has gained 5.3% over the past three months, while Wingstop's shares have surged by 63.2% [15] - Dutch Bros is trading below Wingstop on a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio [16] - EPS estimates for Wingstop have trended upward, while those for Dutch Bros remain unchanged, with BROS projected to improve by 24.5% and WING by 6.6% in 2025 [20] Conclusion - Wingstop is better positioned for growth due to its faster global expansion, strong brand partner confidence, and ability to open higher-performing restaurants [24] - Dutch Bros is building a steady growth story with a focus on customer experience and operational improvements, but Wingstop's superior performance and growth momentum provide it with a competitive edge [25]

Company Overview - Chipotle Mexican Grill operates fast-food restaurants and has experienced a long period of growth, but its first-quarter 2025 performance was disappointing [2] - Wingstop is also a fast-food chain that has shown popularity and growth over the years, but its first-quarter 2025 results were not as strong as previous periods [5] Financial Performance - Chipotle's sales increased by 6.4%, but same-store sales declined by 0.4%, indicating that growth was driven by new locations rather than returning customers [4] - Wingstop's revenue grew by 15.7%, with same-store sales up by 0.5% in the U.S., although this was a decrease from the previous quarter's 10.1% growth [6] Valuation and Dividends - Both Chipotle and Wingstop have price-to-earnings ratios around 45, with Wingstop's recent price pullback reducing its previously higher P/E ratio compared to Chipotle [8] - Chipotle does not pay a dividend, while Wingstop offers a low dividend yield of approximately 0.4% [9] Business Model Comparison - Chipotle operates nearly all of its restaurants, while about 98% of Wingstop's locations are operated by franchisees, affecting operational control [10] - Chipotle's model allows for more direct control over customer experience and adaptability in a challenging market, which may appeal to conservative investors [12] Market Position and Strategy - Both companies rely on the appeal of their food offerings, but Chipotle's ability to adjust its operations may provide a competitive edge in a weak sales environment [13]

Core Insights - Wingstop reported revenue of $171.09 million for the quarter ended March 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 17.4% and a surprise of +0.37% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $170.46 million [1] - The EPS for the same period was $0.99, slightly up from $0.98 a year ago, with an EPS surprise of +17.86% compared to the consensus estimate of $0.84 [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Domestic same store sales growth was 0.5%, below the estimated 2.3% by analysts [4] - Total system-wide restaurants reached 2,689, exceeding the average estimate of 2,633 [4] - Company-owned domestic same store sales growth was 1.4%, compared to the estimated 2.1% [4] - The number of domestic company-owned restaurants at the end of the period was 51, matching the average estimate [4] - New restaurant openings in international franchised activity were 30, surpassing the average estimate of 20 [4] - New restaurant openings in domestic franchised activity totaled 96, exceeding the average estimate of 51 [4] - The number of international franchised restaurants at the end of the period was 388, above the average estimate of 379 [4] - Total domestic restaurants reached 2,301, compared to the estimated 2,255 [4] Revenue Breakdown - Royalty revenue, franchise fees, and other totaled $78.78 million, slightly below the average estimate of $79.05 million, with a year-over-year change of +17.4% [4] - Company-owned restaurant sales revenue was $30.05 million, exceeding the average estimate of $29.82 million, reflecting a +5.3% year-over-year change [4] - Advertising fees revenue was $62.27 million, close to the average estimate of $62.32 million, with a year-over-year increase of +24.2% [4]

Restaurant chain Wingstop (WING -3.25%) is cheaper than it has been, but it is not a cheap stock. With the Nasdaq Composite (where Wingstop's shares trade) in correction territory, is it now time to buy this still fast-growing restaurant chain? Here's a look at what is a very difficult question to answer.How expensive is Wingstop?Wingstop, as its name suggests, specializes in selling chicken wings -- a popular food item. Meanwhile, its shares have had quite a ride. The stock's price-to-earnings ratio is aro ...