9 fast food stocks to watch

Considering investing in fast food stocks? While the best fast food stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals, we've identified some fast food stocks that are worth keeping an eye on in the restaurant sector. Keep reading to learn more about fast food stocks and how to start investing.

9 popular fast food stocks to watch

We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the restaurant industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap stocks.

Best stock	1-year return	Market cap	Exchange	Volume	Buy now on CIBC Investor's Edge
McDonald’s Corporation (MCD.US)	(data unavailable)	$216.6 billion (USD)	NYSE	(data unavailable)	Buy now
Yum! Brands (YUM.US)	(data unavailable)	$42.5 billion (USD)	NYSE	(data unavailable)	Buy now
Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG.US)	(data unavailable)	$45.9 billion (USD)	NYSE	(data unavailable)	Buy now
Restaurant Brands International (QSR.US)	(data unavailable)	$32.8 billion (USD)	NYSE	(data unavailable)	Buy now
Dominos Pizza Inc Common Stock (DPZ.US)	(data unavailable)	$14.2 billion (USD)	NASDAQ	(data unavailable)	Buy now
Shake Shack (SHAK.US)	(data unavailable)	$3.7 billion (USD)	NYSE	(data unavailable)	Buy now
The Wendy’s (WEN.US)	(data unavailable)	$1.6 billion (USD)	NASDAQ	(data unavailable)	Buy now
Jack In The Box (JACK.US)	(data unavailable)	$372.2 million (USD)	NASDAQ	(data unavailable)	Buy now
Papa Johns International (PZZA.US)	(data unavailable)	$1.4 billion (USD)	NASDAQ	(data unavailable)	Buy now

The values in this table are accurate as of the market close on December 3, 2025, or the most recent data available. Volume refers to the number of shares traded during the day.

What to look for when investing in fast food stock

The restaurant industry is affected by a range of complex factors such as trade policies, regulations, and fluctuating supply and demand. So when considering fast food stocks to buy, it's important that you have access to vital information about a company's financial health, leadership team, and market positioning.

Also keep in mind that, while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look for stocks to offer steadier gains over time.

How to invest in fast food stock

1. Research the restaurant industry. Before investing, learn about the fast food stock sector, its trends and the companies within it. Look at each company's financial health, potential for growth and past performance to identify stocks that fit your investment goals.
2. Choose a stock trading platform. Compare trading fees, access to trading tools and user interface options. We've identified reliable trading platforms to help narrow down your options below or check out the best stock trading apps in Canada to find one that suits your needs.
3. Open and fund your account. Sign up with your personal details and link a bank account or funding method to deposit money before you start trading.
4. Select the fast food stock(s) to buy. Search by company name or ticker symbol, like MCD or YUM. Compare key metrics such as market cap, price history and earnings per share to pick the best stock for your strategy.
5. Buy the stock and monitor performance. Place your order to buy the stock and track its performance over time. Consider setting alerts, signing up for industry newsletters or using platform research tools to stay up to date on market changes.

Our top picks for where to buy fast food stocks

Are fast food stocks a good investment?

While it's possible to turn a profit investing in fast food stocks, keep in mind that—like any investment—fast food stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions both in the market and in the restaurant industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest.

What are the best fast food stocks?

A lot of factors go into picking the best fast food stocks. Stock performance can be impacted by factors like market conditions, company decisions and global events. Plus, what may be a strong fast food stock investment for one person might not be suitable for another.

That said, we rounded up this list of popular fast food stocks in or related to the restaurant industry to help narrow down your options:

• McDonald’s Corporation (MCD)
• Yum! Brands (YUM)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)
• Restaurant Brands International (QSR)
• Dominos Pizza Inc Common Stock (DPZ)
• Shake Shack (SHAK)
• The Wendy’s (WEN)
• Jack In The Box (JACK)
• Papa Johns International (PZZA)

Keep in mind that this is not a "best" list or a recommendation. It highlights some fast food stocks for informational purposes only and does not indicate past or future performance or investment advice. We do not guarantee any investment performance.

We've outlined detailed company and stock performance details for each fast food stock below. Keep reading to decide if any of these companies are the right investment for you.

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McDonald’s Corporation (MCD)

McDonald's Corporation owns, operates, and franchises restaurants under the McDonald's brand in the United States and internationally. It offers food and beverages, including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, various chicken sandwiches, fries, shakes, desserts, sundaes, soft serve cones, cookies, pies, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages; and full or limited breakfast, as well as sells various other products during limited-time promotions. The company owns and operates franchised restaurants under various structures, including conventional franchise, developmental license, or affiliate.

Market Capitalization The total market value of McDonald’s Corporation's outstanding shares	$216.6 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$15.1 billion
Profit margin	32.04%
Revenue (TTM)	$26.3 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$11.72
52-week stock price range	$270.24 – $320.74

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on December 3, 2025.

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Yum! Brands (YUM)

Yum! Brands, Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants worldwide. It operates through four segments: KFC Division, Taco Bell Division, Pizza Hut Division, and Habit Burger & Grill Division segments.

Market Capitalization The total market value of Yum! Brands's outstanding shares	$42.5 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$3.7 billion
Profit margin	17.95%
Revenue (TTM)	$8.1 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$5.13
52-week stock price range	$120.37 – $161.70

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on December 3, 2025.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages, such as burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads, as well as lifestyle bowls, kids's meal, chips, sides, and drinks.

Market Capitalization The total market value of Chipotle Mexican Grill's outstanding shares	$45.9 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$4.7 billion
Profit margin	13.04%
Revenue (TTM)	$11.8 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$1.13
52-week stock price range	$29.75 – $66.74

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on December 3, 2025.

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Restaurant Brands International (QSR)

Restaurant Brands International Inc. operates as a quick-service restaurant company in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through six segments: Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Firehouse Subs, International, and Restaurant Holdings.

Market Capitalization The total market value of Restaurant Brands International's outstanding shares	$32.8 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$3.1 billion
Profit margin	9.95%
Revenue (TTM)	$9.3 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$2.82
52-week stock price range	$57.60 – $72.98

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on December 3, 2025.

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Dominos Pizza Inc Common Stock (DPZ)

Domino's Pizza, Inc. operates as a pizza company in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: U.

Market Capitalization The total market value of Dominos Pizza Inc Common Stock's outstanding shares	$14.2 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$1.4 billion
Profit margin	12.16%
Revenue (TTM)	$4.8 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$17.12
52-week stock price range	$392.47 – $495.24

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on December 3, 2025.

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Shake Shack (SHAK)

Shake Shack Inc. owns, operates, and licenses Shake Shack restaurants (Shacks) in the United States and internationally. Its Shacks offer burgers, chicken, hot dogs, crinkle cut fries, shakes, frozen custard, beer, wine, and other products.

Market Capitalization The total market value of Shake Shack's outstanding shares	$3.7 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$549.6 million
Profit margin	3.10%
Revenue (TTM)	$1.4 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$1.02
52-week stock price range	$72.93 – $144.65

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on December 3, 2025.

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The Wendy’s (WEN)

The Wendy's Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a quick-service restaurant company in the United States and internationally. It operates through Wendy's U. S.

Market Capitalization The total market value of The Wendy’s's outstanding shares	$1.6 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$785.7 million
Profit margin	8.43%
Revenue (TTM)	$2.2 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$0.94
52-week stock price range	$7.70 – $17.07

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on December 3, 2025.

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Jack In The Box (JACK)

Jack in the Box Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick-service restaurants (QSR) in the United States. It operates through Jack in the Box and Del Taco segments.

Market Capitalization The total market value of Jack In The Box's outstanding shares	$372.2 million
Gross profit (TTM)	$420.1 million
Profit margin	-5.51%
Revenue (TTM)	$1.5 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	-$4.24
52-week stock price range	$13.99 – $49.29

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on December 3, 2025.

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Papa Johns International (PZZA)

Papa John's International, Inc. operates and franchises pizza delivery and carryout restaurants under the Papa Johns trademark in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Domestic Company-Owned Restaurants, North America Franchising, North America Commissaries, and International.

Market Capitalization The total market value of Papa Johns International's outstanding shares	$1.4 billion
Gross profit (TTM)	$427.6 million
Profit margin	1.83%
Revenue (TTM)	$2.1 billion
Earnings per share (TTM)	$1.14
52-week stock price range	$29.20 – $55.12

All dollar amounts in this table are in USD. TTM refers to the "trailing 12 months." All values are accurate as of the market close on December 3, 2025.

Compare trading platforms to buy fast food stock

Compare special offers, low fees and a wide range of investment options among popular trading platforms in Canada. Note that the dollar amounts in the table below are in CAD.

Related: Compare the best stock trading platforms in Canada

Bottom line

If you're considering adding fast food stocks to your portfolio, make sure you thoroughly look into any companies before investing to help mitigate risk. We've compiled a list of fast food stocks to help narrow down your options. Then choose a legitimate stock trading platform to start investing. After that it comes down to monitoring the restaurant industry to know when to buy, sell or hold.

Related: How to buy stocks in Canada

Frequently asked questions about fast food stocks

• What are fast food stocks?

  Fast food stocks are shares of companies that either directly work in the fast food sector or operate within related industries. Investors interested in buying fast food stocks may be looking to take advantage of market trends or lock in investments for the long haul.

• What is the top fast food stock to buy in 2025?

  Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to choose a single "top" fast food stock to invest in due to factors like market fluctuations, company management and shifting economic trends. These can all change—sometimes overnight—how a stock performs. It's best to do your own research to decide which companies fit within your risk tolerance. Reviewing a company's financial reports and past stock performance can help you decide if it's worth investing in.

• Where can I find information and regular updates about the restaurant industry?

  You can keep track of the latest restaurant news and updates by signing up for financial newsletters, visiting financial news sites, reading company investor relations pages and using market research platforms. Many online brokerages also offer sector reports, stock screeners and alerts to help you track movements in your stock performance or updates in or related to the restaurant industry.

Check these other commodities and investment sectors

If you're thinking about diversifying your portfolio and investing in sectors beyond fast food stocks, here are some others you can consider:

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