Restaurants

Wendys Co (NASDAQ: WEN) boasts a compelling investment profile as multiple catalysts ahead will spur consistent sales growth, margin improvements and attractive capital returns, according to BTIG. The Analyst BTIG's Peter Saleh initiated coverage of Wendys with a Buy rating and $20 price target...

Burger chain Sonic Corporation (NASDAQ: SONC) reached an agreement to sell itself to Inspire Brands for $2.3 billion, or $43.50 per share. What Happened Sonic, best known for its drive-in concept with unique menu items like a pickle juice slush, agreed to sell itself to Inspire, a multi-brand...

The fourth quarter is shaping up to be a difficult one for casual dining stocks, and one Wall Street analyst issued a wave of downgrades Monday in response to the latest industry data. The Analyst BMO Capital Markets analyst Andrew Strelzik made the following rating and target changes: Bloomin...

Dunkin Brands Group Inc. (NASDAQ: DNKN), the parent company of both Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, is trading at a fair value, according to RBC Capital Markets.  The Analysts Analyst David Palmer downgraded Dunkin Brands from Outperform to Sector Perform and maintained a $75 price...

BTIG Research downgraded Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ: TXRH) on the basis of both the restaurant chain's earnings and its valuation. The Analysts Analyst Peter Saleh downgraded Texas Roadhouse from Buy to Neutral. The Thesis Multiple expansion seems unlikely given Texas Roadhouse's...

Goldman Sachs has a good feeling about the dining sector. “We are optimistic on restaurants’ top-line trajectory through 2H18, and see no historical precedent for a rapid reversal from new all-time highs of discretionary wallet share,” the firm said in a Tuesday note. Goldman does...

Shares of Yum China Holdings Inc (NYSE: YUMC) were plunging Tuesday as a consortium of potential buyers dropped their acquisition plans for the operator of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and other restaurant chains in China. What Happened A consortium of investment firms, including...

Shares of Applebee’s and IHOP parent Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN) have surged roughly 30 percent in the past month, leading Raymond James to adjust its stance on the stock.  The Analyst Raymond James analyst Brian Vaccaro downgraded Dine Brands from Strong Buy to Outperform...

Restaurant chain Texas Roadhouse Inc (NASDAQ: TXRH) has seen its stock rise nearly 20 percent since the end of July, and the higher valuation implies there's little room for error moving forward, according to Wedbush. The Analyst Wedbush's Nick Setyan downgraded Texas Roadhouse ...

Up more than 70 percent year-to-date and 35 percent since April, shares of Wingstop Inc (NASDAQ: WING) have risen "too far too fast," according to BTIG. The Analyst BTIG's Peter Saleh downgraded Wingstop from Buy to Neutral. The Thesis Restaurant chains who have shown an ability to...

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) CEO Brian Niccol has made his turnaround plan clear to the investment community, but Wedbush isn't optimistic on the outlook due to what it said are underappreciated risks. The Analyst Wedbush's Nick Setyan downgraded Chipotle Mexican Grill from...

Oppenheimer analyst Brian Bittner downgraded Yum China Holdings Inc (NYSE: YUMC) from Outperform to Perform and removed his $40 price target. The Thesis After spinning off from YUM! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM) last November, Yum China shares have gained roughly 46 percent, but a elevated...

Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) is executing new strategies to restore confidence among investors and customers after the departure of founder John Schnatter in a racism scandal, according to Stifel.  The Analyst Stifel analyst Chris O'Cull upgraded Papa John...

Fast casual restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is undergoing a compelling earnings recovery story led by a new management team, according to Morgan Stanley.  The Analyst Morgan Stanley's John Glass upgraded Chipotle Mexican Grill from Equal-weight to...

Shares of Habit Restaurants Inc (NASDAQ: HABT) are up nearly 70 percent over the last three months, putting an end to Maxim Group's bullish stance on the casual fast food stock.  The Analyst Maxim's Stephen Anderson downgraded Habit Restaurants from Buy to Hold with an...