Q3 Rundown: Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) Vs Other Traditional Fast Food Stocks

Looking back on traditional fast food stocks’ Q3 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) and its peers.

Traditional fast-food restaurants are renowned for their speed and convenience, boasting menus filled with familiar and budget-friendly items. Their reputations for on-the-go consumption make them favored destinations for individuals and families needing a quick meal. This class of restaurants, however, is fighting the perception that their meals are unhealthy and made with inferior ingredients, a battle that's especially relevant today given the consumers increasing focus on health and wellness.

The 13 traditional fast food stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q3. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 8.3% on average since the latest earnings results.

Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX)

Started by three friends in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market, Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) is a globally-renowned coffeehouse chain that offers a wide selection of high-quality coffee, beverages, and food items.

Starbucks reported revenues of $9.57 billion, up 5.5% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.6%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 14.5% since reporting and currently trades at $96.36.

Is now the time to buy Starbucks? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q3: Dutch Bros (NYSE:BROS)

Started in 1992 by two brothers as a single pushcart, Dutch Bros (NYSE:BROS) is a dynamic coffee chain that’s captured the hearts of coffee enthusiasts across the United States.

Dutch Bros reported revenues of $423.6 million, up 25.2% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2.3%. The business had an exceptional quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Dutch Bros delivered the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 8.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $60.82.

Is now the time to buy Dutch Bros? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q3: Papa John's (NASDAQ:PZZA)

Founded by the eclectic John “Papa John” Schnatter, Papa John’s (NASDAQ:PZZA) is a globally recognized pizza delivery and carryout chain known for “better ingredients” and “better pizza”.

Papa John's reported revenues of $508.2 million, flat year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2.9%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 9% since the results and currently trades at $37.56.

Read our full analysis of Papa John’s results here.

El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ:LOCO)

With a name that translates into ‘The Crazy Chicken’, El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ:LOCO) is a fast food chain known for its citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken recipe that hails from the coastal town of Sinaloa, Mexico.

El Pollo Loco reported revenues of $121.5 million, flat year on year. This number lagged analysts' expectations by 2%. Aside from that, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but a miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is up 21% since reporting and currently trades at $10.96.

Read our full, actionable report on El Pollo Loco here, it’s free.

Arcos Dorados (NYSE:ARCO)

Translating to “Golden Arches” in Spanish, Arcos Dorados (NYSE:ARCO) is the master franchisee of the McDonald's brand in Latin America and the Caribbean, responsible for its operations and growth in over 20 countries.

Arcos Dorados reported revenues of $1.19 billion, up 5.2% year on year. This print missed analysts’ expectations by 3%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ same-store sales estimates.

Arcos Dorados had the weakest performance against analyst estimates among its peers. The stock is up 8.2% since reporting and currently trades at $7.80.

Read our full, actionable report on Arcos Dorados here, it’s free.

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