Mizuho Anticipates Sustained Restaurant Price War Through 2026 as Chains Fight to Reclaim Market Share From Grocers

Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) is one of the best mid-cap growth stocks to buy right now. On January 9, Mizuho lowered its price target on Wingstop to $310 from $320 with an Outperform rating. The firm revised its price targets for the restaurant sector as part of its 2026 outlook and anticipates a sustained price war throughout the year as chains fight to reclaim market share from grocery stores, which have become more attractive to consumers due to sharp post-pandemic restaurant price hikes.

On January 7, as part of Stifel’s 2026 restaurant industry outlook, analyst Chris O’Cull lowered the price target for Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) from $300 to $290 with a Buy rating. In the broader sector analysis, Stifel warned of a convergence of structural forces that are expected to create a more difficult operating environment in 2026.

At the same time, Barclays analyst Jeffrey Bernstein raised the price target for Wingstop from $295 to $335 with an Overweight rating. The firm noted that while the restaurant industry as a whole continues to navigate persistent sales challenges and shifting consumer habits, specific segments are poised for a comeback. Barclays predicts that Quick Service Restaurants/QSR, like Wingstop, will begin to recapture market share from the fast-casual and casual dining categories as value-conscious diners trade down.

Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING), together with its subsidiaries, franchises, and operates restaurants under the Wingstop brand in the US, Australia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, and the Netherlands.

While we acknowledge the potential of WING as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.