Sit-Down Dining Stocks Q4 Highlights: First Watch (NASDAQ:FWRG)

The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how First Watch (NASDAQ:FWRG) and the rest of the sit-down dining stocks fared in Q4.

Sit-down restaurants offer a complete dining experience with table service. These establishments span various cuisines and are renowned for their warm hospitality and welcoming ambiance, making them perfect for family gatherings, special occasions, or simply unwinding. Their extensive menus range from appetizers to indulgent desserts and wines and cocktails. This space is extremely fragmented and competition includes everything from publicly-traded companies owning multiple chains to single-location mom-and-pop restaurants.

The 11 sit-down dining stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q4. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

While some sit-down dining stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 2.6% since the latest earnings results.

First Watch (NASDAQ:FWRG)

Based on a nautical reference to the first work shift aboard a ship, First Watch (NASDAQ:FWRG) is a chain of breakfast and brunch restaurants whose menu is heavily-focused on eggs and griddle items such as pancakes.

First Watch reported revenues of $316.4 million, up 20.2% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

Chris Tomasso, CEO and President of First Watch. “As we look to 2026 and beyond, we are energized by the growth opportunities across all facets of our business, particularly the expansion of our evolving digital marketing platform.”

First Watch scored the fastest revenue growth of the whole group. Still, the market seems discontent with the results. The stock is down 12.4% since reporting and currently trades at $12.41.

Read our full report on First Watch here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Red Robin (NASDAQ:RRGB)

Known for its bottomless steak fries, Red Robin (NASDAQ:RRGB) is a chain of casual restaurants specializing in burgers and general American fare.

Red Robin reported revenues of $269 million, down 5.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1.8%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and full-year EBITDA guidance beating analysts’ expectations.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 12.4% since reporting. It currently trades at $4.08.

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

Weakest Q4: Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ:TXRH)

With locations often featuring Western-inspired decor, Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ:TXRH) is an American restaurant chain specializing in Southern-style cuisine and steaks.

Texas Roadhouse reported revenues of $1.48 billion, up 3.1% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 5.8% since the results and currently trades at $171.99.

Read our full analysis of Texas Roadhouse’s results here.

Darden (NYSE:DRI)

Founded in 1968 as Red Lobster, Darden (NYSE:DRI) is a leading American restaurant company that owns and operates a portfolio of popular restaurant brands.

Darden reported revenues of $3.10 billion, up 7.3% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates and a narrow beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is up 6.3% since reporting and currently trades at $201.41.

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

The Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ:CAKE)

Celebrated for its delicious (and free) brown bread, gigantic portions, and delectable desserts, Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ:CAKE) is an iconic American restaurant chain that also owns and operates a portfolio of separate restaurant brands.

The Cheesecake Factory reported revenues of $961.6 million, up 4.4% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 1.4%. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a slight miss of analysts’ same-store sales estimates.

The stock is down 2.2% since reporting and currently trades at $62.69.

Read our full, actionable report on The Cheesecake Factory here, it’s free.

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