CMG

7 Top Restaurant Stocks for 2016

Cook At A Bistro Credit: Image source: Getty Images.
Cook At A Bistro

Image source: Getty Images.

On the other end of the spectrum is Chipotle, which owns all of its 2,100 locations. That level of tight control provides flexibility for management to make wholesale strategic changes quickly, as the chain is doing right now by raising its food safety standards. Yet, without franchisees chipping in steady rent and fees, Chipotle's revenue and profits are completely dependent on the popularity of its menu. Buffalo Wild Wings sits right in the middle with roughly half of its locations company-owned.

Customer traffic growth forms the foundation for a restaurant stock's success because the economics of each existing location improves as it handles additional transactions. High traffic also confirms that the menu and pricing approaches are resonating with customers, which suggests the company has room to expand its store footprint.

Starbucks provides a great example of these virtuous circles at work. The beverage giant logged 7% higher comparable-store sales last year, split between 3% higher traffic and a 4% boost in average spending as it broadens its food menu. Combined with a growing store base, that comps growth powered a 17% spike in revenue as profitability ticked up to 19% of sales.

A few buys for your watch list

Panera's strong recent growth makes it a good candidate for long-term investors. As CEO Ron Shaich put it recently, "At a time when other restaurant companies are feeling the impact of a slowing consumer environment, we are maintaining our momentum." Panera's 4% comps gain in Q2 trounced rivals, indicating the sandwich and soup specialist is poaching market share from rivals.

Yum Brands also looks appealing at just 27 times expected earnings. Sure, sales growth has slowed in its key Pizza Hut and Taco Bell segments. But YUM is still growing into a fundamentally more profitable business, with margins climbing toward 20%.

BWLD Operating Margin (TTM) data by YCharts

Operating margin is up to 14% of sales through the first half of 2016, up from 12% last year. On top of those earnings gains, investors can expect significant cash returns as YUM raises funds from the spinoff of its China division this fall.

Given the wide range of choices in this industry, it can seem difficult to find the best stock investments. But focusing on a few key metrics can help investors weed out those weaker businesses, leaving just the restaurant chains that are best positioned to capitalize on the long-term trend toward eating out.

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Demitrios Kalogeropoulos owns shares of Buffalo Wild Wings, Chipotle Mexican Grill, McDonald's, and Starbucks. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Buffalo Wild Wings, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Panera Bread, and Starbucks. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days . We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.


The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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