9 top fast food stocks to buy in 2024

The best fast food stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals — while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look to stocks with steadier gains over time.

9 popular fast food stocks picks to buy in 2024

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 US stocks.

1. McDonald’s Corporation (MCD)
2. Yum! Brands (YUM)
3. Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)
4. Restaurant Brands International (QSR)
5. Domino’s Pizza (DPZ)
6. Shake Shack (SHAK)
7. The Wendy’s (WEN)
8. Jack In The Box (JACK)
9. Papa Johns International (PZZA)

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The fast food stocks 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.

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How to invest in fast food stocks

1. Choose an online stock trading platform. Choose from our Top Picks above, use our comparison table below or jump straight to the best stock trading apps of 2024.
2. Sign up for an account. Provide your personal information and sign up.
3. Set up a funding method to pay for the transaction. Deposit funds into your account by linking your banking information.
4. Choose the stocks you want to buy. Search for the stock by name or ticker symbol like MCD or YUM.
5. Place your order. Buy the stock. It's that simple.

Take a deeper dive into fast food stocks

If you're interested in investing in the restaurant industry, take a closer look at what companies in this industry do and how the stocks have historically performed. Keep in mind that positive past performance doesn't guarantee that a stock will continue to rise in the future.

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1. McDonald’s Corporation (MCD)

McDonald's Corporation 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, 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 under various structures comprising conventional franchise, developmental license, or affiliate.

McDonald’s Corporation stock opened the day at $275.54 after a previous close of $276.88. The latest price was $274.00 (25-minute delay). McDonald’s Corporation is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD25.5 billion and employs 100,000 staff.

• Market capitalization: $191,953,125,376
• P/E ratio: 22.9412
• PEG ratio: 1.9285

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2. Yum! Brands (YUM)

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

Yum! Brands stock opened the day at $139.74 after a previous close of $140.10. The latest price was $139.93 (25-minute delay). Yum! Brands is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$7.1 billion and employs 35,000 staff.

• Market capitalization: $38,847,000,576
• P/E ratio: 24.6869
• PEG ratio: 2.3051

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3. Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads.

Chipotle Mexican Grill stock opened the day at $2,937.90 after a previous close of $2,915.00. The latest price was $2,943.36 (25-minute delay). Chipotle Mexican Grill is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$9.9 billion and employs 116,068 staff.

• Market capitalization: $80,682,221,568
• P/E ratio: 66.2239
• PEG ratio: 2.5777

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4. 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 four segments: Tim Hortons (TH), Burger King (BK), Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (PLK), and Firehouse Subs (FHS).

Restaurant Brands International stock opened the day at $74.07 after a previous close of $74.35. The latest price was $73.80 (25-minute delay). Restaurant Brands International is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$7 billion and employs 9,000 staff.

• Market capitalization: $31,883,147,264
• P/E ratio: 18.9787
• PEG ratio: 1.8831

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5. Domino’s Pizza (DPZ)

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

Domino’s Pizza stock opened the day at $479.61 after a previous close of $481.16. The latest price was $487.66 (25-minute delay). Domino’s Pizza is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$4.5 billion and employs 6,500 staff.

• Market capitalization: $16,949,435,392
• P/E ratio: 33.2184
• PEG ratio: 2.9804

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6. Shake Shack (SHAK)

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

Shake Shack stock opened the day at $100.01 after a previous close of $99.99. The latest price was $100.44 (25-minute delay). Shake Shack is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$1.1 billion and employs 12,196 staff.

• Market capitalization: $4,029,086,208
• P/E ratio: 198.3958
• PEG ratio: 2.55

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7. 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. , Wendy's International, and Global Real Estate & Development segments.

The Wendy’s stock opened the day at $19.87 after a previous close of $19.96. The latest price was $19.91 (25-minute delay). The Wendy’s is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$2.2 billion and employs 5,100 staff.

• Market capitalization: $3,864,875,264
• P/E ratio: 19.4021
• PEG ratio: 1.5705

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8. Jack In The Box (JACK)

Jack in the Box Inc. operates and franchises Jack in the Box and Del Taco quick-service restaurants in the United States. The company was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in San Diego, California. . . . .

Jack In The Box stock opened the day at $58.46 after a previous close of $58.41. The latest price was $59.91 (25-minute delay). Jack In The Box is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$1.7 billion and employs 1,079 staff.

• Market capitalization: $1,136,225,408
• P/E ratio: 9.2317
• PEG ratio: 0.5519

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9. Papa Johns International (PZZA)

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

Papa Johns International stock opened the day at $63.64 after a previous close of $64.26. The latest price was $64.27 (25-minute delay). Papa Johns International is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$2.1 billion and employs 13,200 staff.

• Market capitalization: $2,059,012,480
• P/E ratio: 25.2016
• PEG ratio: 1.3482

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Bottom line

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. And if you’re new to investing, or if it’s been awhile since you’ve taken a critical look at your investing accounts, compare brokers to make sure you’re getting the best features in your trading account.

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