Restaurant stocks

The best restaurant 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.

How to buy restaurant stocks

Sign up with an online broker or platform to invest in one of more of these restaurant stocks.

1. Compare share trading platforms. If you're a beginner, look for a platform with low commissions, expert ratings and investment tools to track your portfolio. Use our comparison table to narrow down top brokers by fees and bonuses.
2. Open and fund your brokerage account. Complete an application with your personal and financial details, like your ID and bank information. Fund your account with a bank transfer, credit card or debit card.
3. Search for the stock you're interested in. Find the stock by name or ticker symbol, like CMG or DRI. Research its history to confirm it's a solid investment against your financial goals.
4. Purchase now or later. Invest in the dining industry today with a market order or use a limit order to delay your purchase until the stock reaches your desired price. To spread out your purchase, look into dollar-cost averaging, which smooths out buying at consistent intervals and amounts.
5. Decide on how many to buy. Weigh your budget against a diversified portfolio that can minimize risk through the market's ups and downs. You may be able to buy fractional shares, depending on your broker.
6. Check in on your investment. Congratulations, you own a part of a restaurant company. Optimize your portfolio by tracking how your stock — and even the dining sector as a whole — performs with an eye on the long term. You may be eligible for dividends and shareholder voting rights on directors and management that can affect your stock.

Compare restaurant stocks

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

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1. Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. As of December 31, 2020, it owned and operated 2,724 Chipotle restaurants in the United States, 40 international Chipotle restaurants, and 4 non-Chipotle restaurants.

Chipotle Mexican Grill stock opened the day at $1,525.81 after a previous close of $1,535.04. The latest price was $1,550.01 (25 minute delay). Chipotle Mexican Grill is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD6 billion and employs 88,000 staff.

• Market capitalization: $43,069,468,672
• P/E ratio: 122.0639
• PEG ratio: 2.4029

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2. Darden Restaurants (DRI)

Darden Restaurants, Inc. , through its subsidiaries, owns and operates full-service restaurants in the United States and Canada. As of May 31, 2020, it owned and operated approximately 1,804 restaurants, which included 868 under the Olive Garden, 522 under the LongHorn Steakhouse, 165 under the Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, 81 under the Yard House, 60 under The Capital Grille, 44 under the Seasons 52, 41 under the Bahama Breeze, and 23 under the Eddie V's Prime Seafood brands.

Darden Restaurants stock opened the day at $147.26 after a previous close of $146.33. The latest price was $145.96 (25 minute delay). Darden Restaurants is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$6.2 billion and employs 177,895 staff.

• Market capitalization: $18,868,869,120
• P/E ratio: 17.3814
• PEG ratio: 1.5687

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3. McDonalds Corporation (MCD)

McDonald's Corporation operates and franchises McDonald's restaurants in the United States and internationally. Its restaurants offer various food products and beverages, as well as breakfast menu. As of December 31, 2020, the company operated 39,198 restaurants.

McDonalds Corporation stock opened the day at $233.26 after a previous close of $232.93. The latest price was $231.55 (25 minute delay). McDonalds Corporation is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$19.2 billion and employs 200,000 staff.

• Market capitalization: $171,833,638,912
• P/E ratio: 36.6529
• PEG ratio: 2.4923

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4. Brinker International (EAT)

Brinker International, Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, owns, develops, operates, and franchises casual dining restaurants in the United States and internationally. As of June 24, 2020, it owned, operated, or franchised 1,663 restaurants comprising 1,610 restaurants under the Chili's Grill & Bar name and 53 restaurants under the Maggiano's Little Italy brand name.

Brinker International stock opened the day at $69.48 after a previous close of $69.50. The latest price was $72.10 (25 minute delay). Brinker International is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$2.9 billion and employs 62,200 staff.

• Market capitalization: $3,050,372,608
• P/E ratio: 664.3564
• PEG ratio: 1.11

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5. The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (CAKE)

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated operates restaurants. The company produces cheesecakes and other baked products for its restaurants, international licensees, and third-party bakery customers, as well as external foodservice operators, retailers, and distributors. It owns and operates 294 restaurants throughout the United States and Canada under brands, including The Cheesecake Factory and North Italia; and a collection of Fox Restaurant Concepts, as well as 27 The Cheesecake Factory restaurants under licensing agreements internationally.

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated stock opened the day at $58.39 after a previous close of $58.18. The latest price was $59.63 (25 minute delay). The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$2 billion and employs 42,500 staff.

• Market capitalization: $2,667,131,392
• P/E ratio: 9.8986
• PEG ratio: 9.9328

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6. Texas Roadhouse (TXRH)

Texas Roadhouse, Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, operates casual dining restaurants in the United States and internationally. The company operates and franchises Texas Roadhouse and Bubba's 33 restaurants.

Texas Roadhouse stock opened the day at $93.71 after a previous close of $92.05. The latest price was $90.92 (25 minute delay). Texas Roadhouse is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$2.4 billion and employs 61,600 staff.

• Market capitalization: $6,753,717,760
• P/E ratio: 215.2889
• PEG ratio: 4.0752

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7. Wingstop (WING)

Wingstop Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, franchises and operates restaurants under the Wingstop brand name. Its restaurants offer classic wings, boneless wings, and tenders that are cooked-to-order, and hand-sauced-and-tossed in various flavors.

Wingstop stock opened the day at $129.33 after a previous close of $129.93. The latest price was $125.85 (25 minute delay). Wingstop is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$248.8 million and employs 238 staff.

• Market capitalization: $4,071,708,928
• P/E ratio: 175.8333
• PEG ratio: 9.3094

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8. Dominos Pizza (DPZ)

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

Dominos Pizza stock opened the day at $374.20 after a previous close of $374.77. The latest price was $367.35 (25 minute delay). Dominos Pizza is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$4.1 billion and employs 6,900 staff.

• Market capitalization: $15,156,988,928
• P/E ratio: 31.5287
• PEG ratio: 2.4586

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9. Jack in the Box (JACK)

Jack in the Box Inc. operates and franchises Jack in the Box quick-service restaurants. As of September 27, 2020, it operated and franchised 2,241 Jack in the Box quick-service restaurants primarily in the western and southern United States, including one in Guam.

Jack in the Box stock opened the day at $112.05 after a previous close of $112.09. The latest price was $109.09 (25 minute delay). Jack in the Box is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$1.1 billion and employs 5,200 staff.

• Market capitalization: $2,656,026,112
• P/E ratio: 20.1997
• PEG ratio: 1.1798

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10. Shake Shack (SHAK)

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

Shake Shack stock opened the day at $116.24 after a previous close of $115.00. The latest price was $110.89 (25 minute delay). Shake Shack is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$522.9 million and employs 7,429 staff.

• Market capitalization: $4,994,561,024
• P/E ratio: 101.44
• PEG ratio: 2.55

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11. Aramark (ARMK)

Aramark provides food, facilities, and uniform services to education, healthcare, business and industry, sports, leisure, and corrections clients in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Food and Support Services United States, Food and Support Services International, and Uniform and Career Apparel. The company offers managed services, including dining, catering, food service management, and convenience-oriented retail services; non-clinical support services, such as patient food and nutrition, retail food, and procurement services; and plant operations and maintenance, custodial/housekeeping, energy management, grounds keeping, and capital project management services.

Aramark stock opened the day at $37.95 after a previous close of $37.38. The latest price was $38.04 (25 minute delay). Aramark is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$11.3 billion and employs 170,750 staff.

• Market capitalization: $10,014,312,448
• P/E ratio: 48
• PEG ratio: 1.57

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12. Restaurant Brands International (QSR)

Restaurant Brands International Inc. owns, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants under the Tim Hortons (TH), Burger King (BK), and Popeyes (PLK) brands. The company operates through three segments: TH, BK, and PLK.

Restaurant Brands International stock opened the day at $63.28 after a previous close of $64.12. The latest price was $63.79 (25 minute delay). Restaurant Brands International is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$5 billion and employs 5,200 staff.

• Market capitalization: $19,526,522,880
• P/E ratio: 40.0313
• PEG ratio: 1.69

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13. 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. It 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 $85.93 after a previous close of $84.33. The latest price was $87.16 (25 minute delay). Papa Johns International is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$1.8 billion and employs 16,700 staff.

• Market capitalization: $3,057,885,184
• P/E ratio: 72.5234
• PEG ratio: 2.895

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14. Yum! Brands (YUM)

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

Yum! Brands stock opened the day at $118.38 after a previous close of $118.06. The latest price was $117.71 (25 minute delay). Yum! Brands is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$5.7 billion and employs 38,000 staff.

• Market capitalization: $35,307,958,272
• P/E ratio: 40.2194
• PEG ratio: 2.5604

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15. Starbucks Corporation (SBUX)

Starbucks Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a roaster, marketer, and retailer of specialty coffee worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Americas, International, and Channel Development. Its stores offer coffee and tea beverages, roasted whole bean and ground coffees, single-serve and ready-to-drink beverages, and iced tea; and various food products, such as pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and lunch items.

Starbucks Corporation stock opened the day at $108.42 after a previous close of $109.13. The latest price was $110.27 (25 minute delay). Starbucks Corporation is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$23.2 billion and employs 349,000 staff.

• Market capitalization: $138,391,617,536
• P/E ratio: 206.9542
• PEG ratio: 1.5897

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Bottom line

While it’s possible to turn a profit investing in restaurant stocks, keep in mind that — like any investment — restaurant stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions — both in the market and in the dining 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.