Sectors & Industries Consumer CyclicalRestaurants
Best Restaurant Stocks to Buy Now (2026)
Top restaurant stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +32.52% per year, and are the best restaurant stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Industry: Restaurants

Overview Zen Rating Price Value Growth Financials Momentum

Sentiment Forecast Dividends Due Diligence

Restaurants is Zen Rated F and is the 117th ranked industry out of 145 stock market industries

Ticker	Company	Price	Volume	Vol 1d %	SMA 10	SMA 20	SMA 50	SMA 100	SMA 200	RSI	Stochastic %K	Stochastic %D	StochRSI %K	StochRSI %D	MACD	MACD Signal	MACD Histogram	Beta
LOCO	EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS INC	$13.79	345,000	76.02%	13.90	13.96	12.51	11.71	10.96	56.76	43.20	42.30	22.08	18.00	0.33	0.45	-0.12	0.81
YUMC	YUM CHINA HOLDINGS INC	$48.50	1,184,000	100.00%	49.23	49.34	52.17	50.41	47.75	38.50	33.09	34.88	46.73	49.85	-0.86	-0.89	0.03	0.75
ARCO	ARCOS DORADOS HOLDINGS INC	$9.47	1,662,000	-58.96%	8.80	8.51	8.37	8.00	7.54	72.97	87.50	87.39	98.54	92.22	0.27	0.15	0.12	0.79
EAT	BRINKER INTERNATIONAL INC	$147.71	1,649,000	-2.43%	154.95	149.25	148.36	150.80	146.25	47.67	68.04	76.16	50.78	64.81	2.48	2.08	0.40	1.32
MCD	MCDONALDS CORP	$301.84	2,114,000	19.23%	306.33	307.30	319.05	315.11	309.60	38.56	48.69	58.14	60.10	79.92	-3.36	-3.76	0.40	0.40
NDLS	NOODLES & CO	$9.81	59,700	-13.48%	8.68	8.44	6.68	6.31	6.14	73.06	91.28	71.38	99.06	73.69	0.69	0.63	0.06	1.25
CAKE	CHEESECAKE FACTORY INC	$61.84	1,123,000	16.25%	60.40	57.96	59.98	56.98	56.99	59.90	83.68	84.50	92.24	92.23	0.89	0.16	0.72	1.14
YUM	YUM BRANDS INC	$160.34	1,443,000	29.07%	161.24	158.76	160.19	156.64	151.75	51.79	82.06	84.06	83.45	84.57	0.73	0.35	0.38	0.56
QSR	RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC	$78.69	1,532,000	-3.47%	77.92	76.18	73.19	71.35	68.91	63.52	86.57	84.71	68.14	73.45	1.59	1.51	0.09	0.60
BLMN	BLOOMIN' BRANDS INC	$6.49	1,683,000	-25.96%	6.30	5.91	6.06	6.46	7.03	58.68	91.29	90.70	89.01	92.53	0.18	0.06	0.12	1.25
SBUX	STARBUCKS CORP	$97.80	4,560,000	-30.15%	98.01	94.50	96.11	92.56	89.83	55.50	81.83	87.85	82.26	91.79	1.12	0.53	0.59	1.01
DPZ	DOMINOS PIZZA INC	$369.20	546,000	-12.36%	370.13	366.18	382.18	399.01	418.20	46.39	63.52	64.75	69.93	74.63	-3.55	-4.95	1.41	0.67
SHAK	SHAKE SHACK INC	$101.78	698,000	-26.99%	100.85	94.58	93.34	90.58	97.80	60.33	86.10	86.35	84.31	87.41	3.33	2.28	1.05	1.54
DRI	DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC	$196.95	695,000	-5.83%	197.05	196.58	203.77	198.66	197.26	47.83	76.80	77.00	87.04	89.85	-0.97	-1.88	0.92	0.80
BROS	DUTCH BROS INC	$53.63	4,976,000	22.05%	53.62	52.03	51.86	56.12	57.81	53.46	57.60	54.52	59.85	53.69	0.47	0.27	0.19	1.64
DIN	DINE BRANDS GLOBAL INC	$28.28	241,000	-23.25%	27.45	26.94	29.35	31.86	28.21	51.52	83.16	88.99	87.31	94.92	-0.18	-0.67	0.49	1.11
BJRI	BJS RESTAURANTS INC	$37.92	352,000	12.10%	38.13	37.07	37.65	39.50	36.92	52.59	83.44	78.84	79.27	78.79	0.42	0.14	0.29	1.24
RICK	RCI HOSPITALITY HOLDINGS INC	$25.67	39,000	-13.33%	24.98	24.18	23.22	23.99	27.95	60.70	90.49	93.70	91.62	96.14	0.75	0.51	0.24	1.24
CMG	CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL INC	$36.05	13,004,000	27.42%	34.97	33.67	35.03	36.29	38.81	62.75	83.83	86.58	100.00	98.94	0.35	-0.09	0.44	1.05
CHA	CHAGEE HOLDINGS LTD	$10.60	513,000	87.91%	10.20	10.01	10.44	11.63	15.42	55.66	76.74	74.73	96.90	95.48	-0.03	-0.14	0.11	0.76
PZZA	PAPA JOHNS INTERNATIONAL INC	$37.57	710,000	-23.24%	36.33	34.91	33.97	36.41	41.30	63.34	89.31	90.69	95.83	98.34	0.94	0.59	0.35	0.85
BRCB	BLACK ROCK COFFEE BAR INC	$14.05	151,000	-16.11%	14.30	13.86	14.44	17.60	N/A	47.47	69.96	76.02	78.27	85.29	-0.14	-0.27	0.12	2.29
VENU	VENU HOLDING CORP	$3.87	483,000	4.55%	3.96	3.61	4.24	6.35	9.69	48.51	69.68	78.90	76.70	89.90	-0.01	-0.15	0.14	0.94
WING	WINGSTOP INC	$189.19	1,334,000	18.89%	187.39	173.01	208.19	234.81	259.55	50.30	86.24	84.22	92.41	90.64	-2.32	-7.96	5.64	1.28
JACK	JACK IN THE BOX INC	$12.70	568,000	-2.24%	12.05	11.15	14.05	17.30	18.05	54.13	90.84	92.09	95.62	97.44	-0.24	-0.72	0.48	0.94
TXRH	TEXAS ROADHOUSE INC	$161.05	755,000	-4.55%	163.47	163.70	171.94	174.78	173.86	42.02	51.63	48.42	81.99	79.92	-2.48	-2.90	0.42	0.89
FWRG	FIRST WATCH RESTAURANT GROUP INC	$12.66	1,260,000	7.42%	11.90	11.38	12.72	14.64	15.93	57.06	89.32	92.08	96.60	98.87	-0.00	-0.31	0.31	1.17
BH	BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC	$299.00	79,000	-20.20%	320.79	322.48	340.98	355.15	337.60	37.91	9.29	17.32	6.86	16.22	-7.56	-5.30	-2.26	0.75
RRGB	RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS INC	$4.18	320,000	53.85%	3.69	3.33	3.59	3.81	4.94	69.84	85.44	87.73	100.00	100.00	0.14	0.01	0.14	1.35
CAVA	CAVA GROUP INC	$96.27	2,143,000	-30.58%	89.78	85.00	80.36	70.37	69.19	69.69	92.46	93.67	95.84	98.61	4.04	2.84	1.20	1.85
WEN	WENDY's CO	$7.11	9,109,000	15.30%	6.95	6.95	7.24	7.76	8.71	52.06	72.00	60.27	94.58	84.36	-0.07	-0.11	0.05	0.63
KRUS	KURA SUSHI USA INC	$59.96	298,000	-15.10%	58.72	63.47	64.73	62.82	66.45	46.41	31.15	27.28	35.67	30.26	-1.45	-1.14	-0.31	1.74
CNNE	CANNAE HOLDINGS INC	$12.83	453,000	59.51%	12.77	12.09	12.21	14.00	16.43	58.93	80.48	86.28	87.34	95.14	0.29	0.14	0.16	1.22
PTLO	PORTILLO's INC	$6.24	1,589,000	-1.91%	5.78	5.60	5.51	5.32	6.25	65.54	91.99	82.05	91.49	75.75	0.16	0.08	0.07	1.24
CBRL	CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE INC	$30.22	854,000	-30.17%	29.31	28.70	29.76	29.43	39.06	55.23	83.36	82.70	86.85	90.25	0.26	-0.07	0.34	1.02
SG	SWEETGREEN INC	$6.70	3,519,000	-3.06%	6.32	5.78	5.64	6.27	7.74	62.11	89.71	93.77	89.93	95.80	0.33	0.17	0.15	1.92
THCH	TH INTERNATIONAL LTD	$2.04	1,200	-14.29%	2.12	2.08	2.03	2.17	2.40	47.11	33.33	51.50	18.47	38.48	0.01	0.02	-0.01	0.29
BDL	FLANIGANS ENTERPRISES INC	$30.25	2,900	-54.69%	30.91	31.45	32.55	31.71	31.46	42.28	26.58	35.50	41.20	50.85	-0.62	-0.51	-0.11	0.20
GENK	GEN RESTAURANT GROUP INC	$1.64	40,000	-22.18%	1.57	1.70	1.75	2.03	2.64	47.69	30.99	27.71	62.62	48.40	-0.06	-0.07	0.01	1.49
GTIM	GOOD TIMES RESTAURANTS INC	$1.30	88,000	7.32%	1.25	1.22	1.21	1.22	1.39	69.66	76.18	75.30	100.00	98.34	0.02	0.01	0.01	0.63
HCHL	HAPPY CITY HOLDINGS LTD	$1.44	7,800	47.17%	1.50	1.52	1.26	2.34	2.95	48.74	22.86	18.92	12.14	5.61	0.00	0.03	-0.03	0.29
MB	MASTERBEEF GROUP	$5.98	1,200	-20.00%	5.88	5.89	5.61	6.09	8.05	53.67	80.41	68.62	84.13	75.55	0.07	0.05	0.02	0.19
RAVE	RAVE RESTAURANT GROUP INC	$2.45	24,300	-63.18%	2.41	2.48	2.73	2.92	2.95	44.15	32.59	27.16	83.36	63.75	-0.08	-0.10	0.01	0.60
SDOT	SADOT GROUP INC	$1.64	53,000	360.87%	1.61	1.59	1.96	2.31	5.17	45.40	59.47	52.05	81.44	65.76	-0.11	-0.13	0.03	1.05
STKS	ONE GROUP HOSPITALITY INC	$1.69	29,700	-57.33%	1.75	1.77	1.90	1.97	2.36	43.22	23.02	28.29	50.02	57.54	-0.04	-0.05	0.01	1.42
REBN	REBORN COFFEE INC	$2.44	29,200	-42.06%	2.64	2.38	2.03	1.86	2.15	54.13	60.08	70.19	21.75	43.42	0.18	0.19	-0.01	1.06
VSTD	VESTAND INC	$0.42	43,000	-28.33%	0.35	0.32	0.30	0.32	0.89	75.05	93.33	89.19	98.71	98.71	0.02	0.01	0.01	0.49
NATH	NATHANS FAMOUS INC	$101.32	13,200	-35.61%	101.31	101.00	100.79	98.00	101.36	54.71	52.85	49.22	20.97	19.32	0.23	0.23	0.00	0.52
BTBD	BT BRANDS INC	$1.89	249,000	-58.84%	1.89	1.83	1.54	1.50	1.61	53.82	61.40	60.49	65.16	68.31	0.14	0.12	0.02	0.35
CCHH	CCH HOLDINGS LTD	$0.53	71,500	-29.90%	0.58	0.61	0.68	1.96	N/A	38.24	2.85	7.13	0.00	0.00	-0.04	-0.04	-0.00	1.10
HDL	SUPER HI INTERNATIONAL HOLDING LTD	$14.10	4,200	223.08%	14.57	14.61	15.84	16.32	17.54	39.50	10.80	32.67	50.96	62.11	-0.37	-0.41	0.03	0.31
CHSN	CHANSON INTERNATIONAL HOLDING	$2.34	428,000	27.76%	2.43	2.56	2.35	2.27	3.19	46.16	19.52	19.62	27.76	26.19	-0.01	0.02	-0.04	1.02
ARKR	ARK RESTAURANTS CORP	$6.77	1,700	30.77%	6.88	6.81	6.84	6.77	7.11	47.79	53.01	70.43	53.66	73.94	0.03	0.02	0.01	0.40

Restaurant Stocks FAQ

What are the best restaurant stocks to buy right now in Apr 2026?

According to Zen Ratings, our proprietary rating system that evaluates 115 factors proven to drive growth in stocks and assigns each stock in our system an overall letter grade as well as 7 individual Component Grades for Value, Growth, Momentum, Sentiment, Safety, Financials, and proprietary AI algorithms, the 3 best restaurant stocks to buy right now are:

1. El Pollo Loco Holdings (NASDAQ:LOCO)

El Pollo Loco Holdings (NASDAQ:LOCO) is the #1 top restaurant stock out of 53 with a Zen Rating of B. Stocks with a rating of B have had an average return of +19.88% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for El Pollo Loco Holdings (NASDAQ:LOCO) is: Value: B, Growth: C, Momentum: C, Sentiment: B, Safety: B, Financials: C, and AI: C.

El Pollo Loco Holdings (NASDAQ:LOCO) has a Due Diligence Score of 28, which is -1 points lower than the restaurant industry average of 29. Although this number is below the industry average, our proven quant model rates LOCO as a "B".

LOCO passed 9 out of 33 due diligence checks and has average fundamentals. El Pollo Loco Holdings has seen its stock return 46.86% over the past year, overperforming other restaurant stocks by 48 percentage points.

El Pollo Loco Holdings has an average 1 year price target of $14.17, an upside of 2.73% from El Pollo Loco Holdings's current stock price of $13.79.

El Pollo Loco Holdings stock has a consensus Strong Buy recommendation according to Wall Street analysts. Of the 3 analysts covering El Pollo Loco Holdings, 66.67% have issued a Strong Buy rating, 0% have issued a Buy, 33.33% have issued a hold, while 0% have issued a Sell rating, and 0% have issued a Strong Sell.

2. Yum China Holdings (NYSE:YUMC)

Yum China Holdings (NYSE:YUMC) is the #2 top restaurant stock out of 53 with a Zen Rating of B. Stocks with a rating of B have had an average return of +19.88% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Yum China Holdings (NYSE:YUMC) is: Value: B, Growth: C, Momentum: C, Sentiment: C, Safety: D, Financials: C, and AI: C.

Yum China Holdings (NYSE:YUMC) has a Due Diligence Score of 40, which is 11 points higher than the restaurant industry average of 29.

YUMC passed 14 out of 38 due diligence checks and has average fundamentals. Yum China Holdings has seen its stock return 16.31% over the past year, overperforming other restaurant stocks by 18 percentage points.

3. Arcos Dorados Holdings (NYSE:ARCO)

Arcos Dorados Holdings (NYSE:ARCO) is the #3 top restaurant stock out of 53 with a Zen Rating of B. Stocks with a rating of B have had an average return of +19.88% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Arcos Dorados Holdings (NYSE:ARCO) is: Value: B, Growth: C, Momentum: C, Sentiment: C, Safety: C, Financials: C, and AI: B.

Arcos Dorados Holdings (NYSE:ARCO) has a Due Diligence Score of 46, which is 17 points higher than the restaurant industry average of 29.

ARCO passed 17 out of 38 due diligence checks and has strong fundamentals. Arcos Dorados Holdings has seen its stock return 28.67% over the past year, overperforming other restaurant stocks by 30 percentage points.

What are the restaurant stocks with highest dividends?

Out of 22 restaurant stocks that have issued dividends in the past year, the 3 restaurant stocks with the highest dividend yields are:

1. Jack In The Box (NASDAQ:JACK)

Jack In The Box (NASDAQ:JACK) has an annual dividend yield of N/A, which is N/A percentage points lower than the restaurant industry average of 3.12%. Jack In The Box's dividend payout is stable, having never dropped by more than 10% in the last 10 years. Jack In The Box's dividend has shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Jack In The Box's dividend payout ratio of -7.2% indicates that its dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

2. Chagee Holdings (NASDAQ:CHA)

Chagee Holdings (NASDAQ:CHA) has an annual dividend yield of 8.68%, which is 6 percentage points higher than the restaurant industry average of 3.12%.

Chagee Holdings's dividend payout ratio of 14.7% indicates that its high dividend yield is sustainable for the long-term.

3. Wendy's Co (NASDAQ:WEN)

Wendy's Co (NASDAQ:WEN) has an annual dividend yield of 7.88%, which is 5 percentage points higher than the restaurant industry average of 3.12%. Wendy's Co's dividend payout is not stable, having dropped more than 10% two times in the last 10 years. Wendy's Co's dividend has shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Wendy's Co's dividend payout ratio of 78.8% indicates that its high dividend yield is sustainable for the long-term.

Why are restaurant stocks down?

Restaurant stocks were down -1.41% in the last day, and down -1.37% over the last week.

We couldn't find a catalyst for why restaurant stocks are down.

What are the most undervalued restaurant stocks?

Based on the Valuation rating, one of the 7 components of a stocks overall Zen Ratings grade, which evaluates factors including estimated earnings yield, earnings before interest and taxes/enterprise value, cash flow yield, free cash flow to price, and price-to-earnings growth (PEG ratio), the 3 most undervalued restaurant stocks right now are:

1. Bloomin' Brands (NASDAQ:BLMN)

Bloomin' Brands (NASDAQ:BLMN) is the most undervalued restaurant stock based on its Valuation Rating of A. Valuation is one of 7 Component Grades used to calculate the overall Zen Rating.

Bloomin' Brands has a valuation score of 43, which is 13 points higher than the restaurant industry average of 30. It passed 3 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Bloomin' Brands's stock has dropped -22.74% in the past year. It has underperformed other stocks in the restaurant industry by -21 percentage points.

2. Wendy's Co (NASDAQ:WEN)

Wendy's Co (NASDAQ:WEN) is the second most undervalued restaurant stock based on its Valuation Rating of B. Valuation is one of 7 Component Grades used to calculate the overall Zen Rating.

Wendy's Co has a valuation score of 43, which is 13 points higher than the restaurant industry average of 30. It passed 3 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Wendy's Co's stock has dropped -43.53% in the past year. It has underperformed other stocks in the restaurant industry by -42 percentage points.

3. Jack In The Box (NASDAQ:JACK)

Jack In The Box (NASDAQ:JACK) is the third most undervalued restaurant stock based on its Valuation Rating of B. Valuation is one of 7 Component Grades used to calculate the overall Zen Rating.

Jack In The Box has a valuation score of 0, which is -30 points higher than the restaurant industry average of 30. It passed 0 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks. Although this number is below the industry average, our proven quant model rates JACK a Valuation Rating of "B".

Jack In The Box's stock has dropped -48.81% in the past year. It has underperformed other stocks in the restaurant industry by -47 percentage points.

Are restaurant stocks a good buy now?

40.63% of restaurant stocks rated by analysts are a strong buy right now. On average, analysts expect restaurant stocks to rise by 18.26% over the next year.

0% of restaurant stocks have a Zen Rating of A (Strong Buy), 8.33% of restaurant stocks are rated B (Buy), 72.22% are rated C (Hold), 13.89% are rated D (Sell), and 5.56% are rated F (Strong Sell).

What is the average p/e ratio of the restaurants industry?

The average P/E ratio of the restaurants industry is 40.28x.

WallStreetZen does not provide financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security.

Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes and is not advice. WallStreetZen does not bear any responsibility for any losses or damage that may occur as a result of reliance on this data.

Sectors & Industries Consumer CyclicalRestaurants
Best Restaurant Stocks to Buy Now (2026)
Top restaurant stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +32.52% per year, and are the best restaurant stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Restaurant Stocks FAQ

1. El Pollo Loco Holdings (NASDAQ:LOCO)

2. Yum China Holdings (NYSE:YUMC)

3. Arcos Dorados Holdings (NYSE:ARCO)

1. Jack In The Box (NASDAQ:JACK)

2. Chagee Holdings (NASDAQ:CHA)

3. Wendy's Co (NASDAQ:WEN)

1. Bloomin' Brands (NASDAQ:BLMN)

2. Wendy's Co (NASDAQ:WEN)

3. Jack In The Box (NASDAQ:JACK)

Company

Stock Tools

Stock Ideas

Sectors & IndustriesConsumer CyclicalRestaurantsBest Restaurant Stocks to Buy Now (2026)Top restaurant stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +32.52% per year, and are the best restaurant stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Restaurant Stocks FAQ

1. El Pollo Loco Holdings (NASDAQ:LOCO)

2. Yum China Holdings (NYSE:YUMC)

3. Arcos Dorados Holdings (NYSE:ARCO)

1. Jack In The Box (NASDAQ:JACK)

2. Chagee Holdings (NASDAQ:CHA)

3. Wendy's Co (NASDAQ:WEN)

1. Bloomin' Brands (NASDAQ:BLMN)

2. Wendy's Co (NASDAQ:WEN)

3. Jack In The Box (NASDAQ:JACK)

Company

Stock Tools

Stock Ideas

Sectors & Industries Consumer CyclicalRestaurants
Best Restaurant Stocks to Buy Now (2026)
Top restaurant stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +32.52% per year, and are the best restaurant stocks to buy now. Learn More.