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. It also operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill brands, which specialize in chicken, pizza, made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches, Mexican-style food categories, and other food products. The company was formerly known as TRICON Global Restaurants, Inc. and changed its name to Yum! Brands, Inc. in May 2002. Yum! Brands, Inc. was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.

Компания Yum! Brands, Inc. демонстрирует сильные фундаментальные показатели, такие как высокий уровень операционной и чистой прибыли, что указывает на её способность генерировать доход. Показатели ROA и ROI значительно превышают медианные значения по отрасли, что свидетельствует о высокой эффективности использования активов и инвестированного капитала. Тем не менее, мультипликаторы, такие как P/E и P/S, находятся на уровне, значительно превышающем медиану по отрасли, что может свидетельствовать о переоцененности акций. Долговая нагрузка также вызывает опасения, так как долг превышает уровень собственных средств. Дивидендная доходность стабильна, однако её уровень не демонстрирует значительного роста. Таким образом, несмотря на сильные финансовые результаты и высокую рентабельность, высокая оценка по мультипликаторам и долговая нагрузка могут ограничивать дальнейший рост акций, создавая неопределенность для инвесторов.

Yum! Brands, Inc.

Papa John's PZZA is strengthening the digital ecosystem and loyalty platform as part of its ongoing transformation strategy. The company is focusing on improving the digital ordering experience and deepening customer engagement through its rewards program. These initiatives aim to enhance convenience, increase repeat orders and strengthen long-term relationships with customers.
Digital capabilities remain central to Papa John’s strategy as a large portion of the business flows through digital channels. About 70% of system sales come from owned digital platforms, giving the company strong access to customer data and insights on ordering behavior. This digital presence helps the company personalize marketing, improve targeting and streamline the ordering journey for customers.
To further strengthen its digital platform, Papa John’s recently launched a new omnichannel mobile application built on a single modern code base. The upgrade improves reliability and increases operational efficiency across iOS and Android platforms. The company is also working with Google Cloud to introduce AI-powered ordering capabilities, including advanced voice and group ordering features and easier reordering for loyalty members. These enhancements are expected to simplify ordering and improve conversion.
The loyalty program remains another key driver of customer engagement. Papa Rewards now connects with nearly 41 million customers, helping the company maintain direct relationships with frequent users. Loyalty members also demonstrate higher engagement, placing about 2.5 times more orders than non-members. The program allows Papa John’s to deliver personalized offers and exclusive promotions that encourage repeat purchases.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, the company continued to see strong engagement among loyalty users, reinforcing the importance of its rewards ecosystem. Together, Papa John’s digital investments and loyalty expansion may support customer retention and long-term growth.
How Papa John’s Compares With Industry Peers
Papa John's International operates in the competitive quick-service restaurant pizza market alongside companies such as Yum! Brands YUM and Domino's Pizza, Inc. DPZ. These companies compete through menu innovation, value-focused offerings, digital ordering capabilities and restaurant expansion across global markets.
Yum! Brands continues to leverage the scale of its global portfolio, particularly through brands like Taco Bell and KFC. The company reported strong system sales growth supported by unit expansion and positive same-store sales performance. Digital ordering and technology investments remain key drivers, with digital sales increasing significantly and representing a large share of total transactions. Yum! Brands also continues to focus on menu innovation, value offerings and expanding its restaurant footprint to sustain long-term growth across markets.
Domino's has maintained strong momentum in the pizza category through consistent same-store sales growth and aggressive store expansion across markets. The company continues to focus on value promotions, menu innovation and digital ordering capabilities to drive higher transaction counts and customer engagement. Domino’s large store network and strong franchise economics have supported steady market share gains while helping it maintain a leadership position in the global pizza segment.
PZZA’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Papa John’s shares have lost 21.7% in the past six months against the industry’s 6% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In terms of its forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio, Papa John’s is trading at 22.52, down from the industry’s 24.75.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Papa John’s 2026 earnings per share has decreased, as shown in the chart.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Papa John’s currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Can Papa John's Digital Investments & Loyalty Expansion Drive Growth?

Domino's Pizza, Inc. DPZ relies on strong same-store sales to support overall retail growth across its global system. The company focuses on driving higher order volumes, strengthening store-level economics and expanding its store base. These efforts help increase customer reach and improve sales productivity across existing locations. Consistent comparable sales growth remains central to sustaining retail sales momentum as the company moves into 2026.
Global retail performance in the fourth quarter of 2025 reflected this strength. Global retail sales grew 4.9% in the fourth quarter of 2025, supported by positive comparable sales in both the United States and international markets, along with continued global net store expansion. Growth was supported by steady transaction activity and the company’s ability to attract customers through value-focused offerings and menu innovation.
In the United States, retail sales increased 5.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by same-store sales growth and new store openings across the system. Same-store sales rose 3.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025 as order volumes improved. Strong customer response to the Best Deal Ever promotion, the introduction of a new specialty pizza and incremental demand from aggregator platforms helped increase transaction counts. Continued strength in both delivery and carryout also supported comparable sales momentum.
International markets also contributed to retail growth. Retail sales rose 4.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025, excluding foreign currency impacts. The increase was driven by net store growth of 296 locations and same-store sales growth of 0.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025. Expanding store development in key markets and steady customer demand supported performance across the international segment.
Looking ahead to 2026, the company expects another year of positive international same-store sales growth, supported by accelerating net store expansion as development activity strengthens across the system. While macroeconomic uncertainty and industry competition remain potential challenges, strong comparable sales trends and continued store growth should help support Domino’s retail sales trajectory in 2026.
How Domino's Stacks Up Against Industry Peers
Domino's operates in a competitive quick-service restaurant pizza market alongside companies such as Yum! Brands YUM and Papa John's International PZZA. These companies compete for customers through menu innovation, value offerings, digital ordering capabilities and restaurant expansion across global markets.
Yum! Brands continues to leverage the scale of its global portfolio, particularly through brands like Taco Bell and KFC. The company reported strong system sales growth supported by unit expansion and positive same-store sales performance. Digital ordering and technology investments remain key drivers, with digital sales increasing significantly and representing a large share of total transactions. Yum! Brands also continues to focus on menu innovation, value offerings and expanding its restaurant footprint to sustain long-term growth across markets.
Papa John’s is currently focused on operational improvements and brand transformation to strengthen its competitive position. The company is investing in menu innovation, including new product launches and an expanded innovation pipeline, aimed at attracting new customers and increasing order frequency. Papa John’s is also enhancing its technology platform and loyalty ecosystem to improve digital engagement while implementing cost optimization initiatives and targeted restaurant portfolio changes to strengthen long-term profitability and growth potential.
DPZ’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
Domino's shares have lost 13% in the past six months against the industry’s 5.5% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In terms of its forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio, DPZ is trading at 19.54, down from the industry’s 24.75.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for DPZ’s 2026 earnings per share has increased, as shown in the chart.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
DPZ currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Can Domino's Same-Store Sales Strength Support Retail Growth in 2026?

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Yum Brands (YUM). Shares have lost about 1.5% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
But investors have to be wondering, will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Yum due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.
YUM! Brands Q4 Earnings Fall Short, Revenues Surpass Estimates
YUM! Brands, reported fourth-quarter 2025 results, with earnings missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate but revenues beating the same. However, both metrics increased year over year.
Chris Turner, CEO, highlighted that Yum! Brands capped off another strong year, led by impressive performances at KFC and Taco Bell. Taco Bell continued to outperform the market, posting exceptional same-store sales gains, while KFC achieved a new milestone in restaurant expansion, marking its best year ever for unit growth.
Turner noted that the company heads into 2026 with sharpened priorities centered on its long-term “Raise the Bar” strategy, aimed at sustaining growth across the portfolio. He added that YUM’s global reach, deep talent pool, strong culture and industry-leading franchise relationships together form a powerful competitive edge that positions it for continued success.
YUM’s Q4 Earnings & Revenue Discussion
In fourth-quarter 2025, the company's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) were $1.73, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.78. However, the metric increased 8% from the prior-year quarter.
Quarterly revenues of $2.51 billion beat the consensus mark of $2.47 billion. Moreover, the top line increased 6% year over year.
Global system sales increased 5% on a constant-currency basis, excluding the impact of the 53rd week, with Taco Bell leading the growth at 8% and KFC close behind at 6%. The metric declined 2% year over year at Pizza Hut.
Divisional Performance of YUM in Q4
YUM! Brands primarily announces results under four divisions — KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Habit Burger Grill.
For fourth-quarter 2025, revenues from KFC totaled $1,041 million, up 8% from the prior-year quarter. Our model predicted the metric to increase 7.7% year over year. Comps in the division rose 3% flat year over year.
The segment's operating margin expanded 80 basis points (bps) year over year to 39.8%. In the quarter under review, the KFC Division opened 1,132 gross new restaurants.
At Pizza Hut, revenues amounted to $303 million, up 3% year over year. Our model predicted Pizza Hut revenues to decrease 9.3% year over year. Comps in the quarter decreased 1% compared with a decline of 1% in the year-ago quarter.
The segment's operating margin expanded 90 bps year over year to 33.3%. The Pizza Hut Division opened 443 gross new restaurants.
Taco Bell's revenues were $997 million, up 7% from the year-ago quarter's levels. Our model predicted the metric to decrease 1.7% year over year. Comps in the segment increased 7%, up from 5% growth reported in the prior-year quarter. Its operating margin contracted 50 bps year over year to 36%.
Taco Bell opened 228 gross new restaurants in the quarter under review.
In the fourth quarter, the Habit Burger Grill division’s revenues amounted to $175 million compared with $192 million reported in the prior-year quarter. Our model predicted the metric to be $195.1 million. Comps in the division grew flat year over year. In the quarter under review, the division opened 11 gross new restaurants.
Other Financial Details of YUM’s Q4 Earnings
As of Dec. 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents totaled $709 million compared with $616 million at 2024-end. Long-term debt, as of Dec 31, 2025, was $11.9 billion compared with $11.3 billion at 2024-end.
YUM’s Long-Term Growth Targets
Yum! Brands reaffirmed its long-term growth algorithm, originally introduced in 2022, outlining sustained expansion targets over time. The company aims to deliver approximately 5% annual unit growth, drive around 7% yearly system sales growth (excluding foreign currency and the 53rd week), and achieve at least 8% annual growth in core operating profit.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in estimates review.
VGM Scores
At this time, Yum has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with an F. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock has a score of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Interestingly, Yum has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
Performance of an Industry Player
Yum belongs to the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry. Another stock from the same industry, Starbucks (SBUX), has gained 2.7% over the past month. More than a month has passed since the company reported results for the quarter ended December 2025.
Starbucks reported revenues of $9.92 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +5.5%. EPS of $0.56 for the same period compares with $0.69 a year ago.
Starbucks is expected to post earnings of $0.42 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +2.4%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.4%.
The overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions translate into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Starbucks. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of C.
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Yum (YUM) Down 1.5% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Rebound?

Key Points
Market share gains are helping to drive Domino's profits higher.
Investors are in store for higher dividends.
Shares of Domino's Pizza (NASDAQ: DPZ) rallied on Monday after management highlighted the restaurant chain's massive expansion opportunity.
By the close of trading, Domino's stock price was up more than 4%.
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Domino's is winning market share
Even as struggling competitors like Pizza Hut shuttered locations, Domino's opened 392 new stores in the fourth quarter and a total of 776 in fiscal 2025.
The pizza king's popular promotions, such as its "Best Deal Ever," which features a pizza with any toppings for just $9.99, are resonating with value-focused consumers. Domino's same-store sales at its U.S. locations grew by 3.7% in the fourth quarter.
In all, the restaurant giant's revenue rose 6.4% to $91.8 million.
"These strong results flowed through to increased franchisee profits, showcasing our ability to drive store-level profitability while providing incredible value for our customers," CEO Russell Weiner said in a press release.
All told, Domino's net income climbed 7.2% to $12.2 million. Earnings per share, which were boosted by stock buybacks, jumped 9.4% to $5.35.
A long runway for expansion
Domino's rising profitability and strong free cash flow generation -- to the tune of $671.5 million in 2025 -- is enabling the company to boost its payouts to investors. The pizza leader raised its quarterly dividend by 15% to $1.99 per share.
Peering further into the future, Weiner sees the potential for Domino's to grow far larger than it is today.
"When I look at our current market share in comparison to other leaders within QSR [quick-service restaurants] who own 40% to 50% of their categories, I believe that Domino's can double our retail sales from where they are today," Weiner said during a conference call with analysts.
Should you buy stock in Domino's Pizza right now?
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Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Domino's Pizza. 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.

Why Domino's Pizza Stock Popped Today

Key Points
The company serves as the landlord for its global network by owning the physical assets for most locations.
Rental income from franchisees provides a stable, recurring source of high-margin revenue.
The fast food chain ended the year on a high note, reporting same-store sales growth of 5.7%.
McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) scale is easy to see, but the business model can be underappreciated. Most people view it strictly as a burger joint, yet the corporation owns a ton of valuable real estate. While independent operators run 95% of the 45,000 stores, the company owns 80% of the buildings and 56% of the land.
This structure provides shareholders with meaningful asset value that a typical restaurant stock lacks. It also allows McDonald's to collect rent and royalties as a percentage of sales. Every time menu prices or traffic increase, the bottom line grows without taking on the direct risk of rising food or labor costs.
McDonald's rent-heavy franchise model distinguishes it from competitors like Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM) and Restaurant Brands International (NYSE: QSR). The combination of prime real estate, predictable rent collection, and high margin royalties has made McDonald's one of the market's most reliable long-term holdings, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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Real estate and the Golden Arches
The domestic asset base remains a visible anchor, but the reach of its property holdings is not confined to the United States. Most domestic investors focus on the local drive-thru, yet roughly half of the total book value sits within the International Operated Markets (IOM) segment. This includes premium urban locations in the U.K., France, and Germany.
From its global base, the company generates roughly $10 billion in annual revenue, which results in around $7.5 billion in net rental income. It typically employs triple net leases, which shift the burden of taxes, insurance, and maintenance to the franchisee, creating a stable source of cash flow to fund its dividend streak.
According to Macquarie Asset Management, McDonald's real estate is likely worth around $120 billion, compared to a net asset value on the balance sheet of just $27.5 billion, since the properties are recorded at historical cost and depreciated over time. By holding these assets for decades, the company has built a property portfolio that is likely one of the most valuable in the retail world.
Defensive cash flow in a changing environment
McDonald's is currently trading near all-time highs following the release of fourth-quarter results on Feb. 11. Global same-store sales grew 5.7% year over year, driven by 6.8% comps in the U.S. market, the fastest growth in over two years.
A renewed focus on affordability through initiatives like the relaunch of Extra Value Meals and holiday campaigns featuring the Grinch reversed traffic trends. While the company has acknowledged that lower-income households have been under pressure for nearly two years, these value-oriented strategies successfully increased guest counts and average spend per visit.
The business generated $7.2 billion in free cash flow in 2025, providing plenty of capital for its routine share buybacks. In addition, McDonald's has raised its dividend for 49 consecutive years, and a 50th increase this fall would secure its status as a Dividend King.
At 24 times forward earnings, the stock trades in line with rival Yum! Brands, yet it's backstopped by a massive property portfolio worth over half its market cap.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

McDonald's $120B Real Estate Portfolio Paves the Way to Its 50th Consecutive Dividend Hike

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. CMG is expanding its use of artificial intelligence within its digital platform, with a focus on strengthening customer engagement. The company stated that AI-driven tools are being used to support personalized communication and targeted outreach, particularly to re-engage lapsed or less-frequent users.
The initiative operates within Chipotle’s existing digital ecosystem, including its loyalty program and mobile ordering channels. Data analytics and machine learning tools are being applied to tailor messaging based on customer activity and purchase behavior. This enables the company to direct specific offers and communications to defined customer segments.
Digital sales remain a meaningful portion of total revenues, and increasing frequency within the loyalty member base continues to be a priority. Targeted offers and personalized outreach are intended to encourage incremental visits. The company continues to adjust and refine engagement strategies as it gathers additional performance data.
Looking ahead, AI-powered personalization is positioned as a tool to enhance digital effectiveness within the existing operating framework. As loyalty participation and digital ordering remain central to customer interaction, targeted engagement efforts are becoming a more visible component of Chipotle’s evolving digital strategy.
How It Stacks Up to Competitors
Chipotle’s use of AI-driven personalization places it alongside, but distinct from, the digital and technology strategies being pursued by McDonald's Corporation MCD and Yum! Brands, Inc. YUM.
McDonald’s continues to emphasize digital scale and systemwide engagement, supported by the rapid expansion of its loyalty platform and a standardized global technology stack. Management highlighted loyalty as a driver of visit frequency and engagement, while positioning AI-enabled tools primarily around operational execution, including voice ordering, shift management and restaurant-level efficiency. While these initiatives are designed to enhance customer experience and throughput at scale, management did not explicitly frame AI as a mechanism for identifying or reengaging lapsed customers through targeted personalization.
Yum! Brands, by contrast, has leaned more directly into AI-driven personalized marketing as part of its digital growth strategy. Management cited investments in the Byte by Yum! platform and its loyalty ecosystem as contributors to accelerating digital sales growth, with digital mix approaching 60% systemwide. Yum! Brands emphasized platform ownership and data control as advantages that enable personalized engagement across brands and markets, though the company’s commentary focused on broad-based digital momentum rather than explicit lapsed-user reactivation.
Within this competitive landscape, Chipotle’s approach stands out for its specificity. Management directly referenced the use of AI models to identify lapsed and at-risk users and to design targeted reengagement journeys based on prior visit behavior and estimated lifetime value. Rather than emphasizing digital scale or platform breadth, Chipotle framed AI as a precision tool within its loyalty and digital ecosystem, aimed at improving frequency and reactivating less-engaged customers. This more targeted application differentiates Chipotle’s strategy from the broader, scale-oriented digital initiatives highlighted by McDonald’s and Yum! Brands.
CMG’s Stock Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Shares of Chipotle have plunged 29.6% in the past year compared with the industry’s fall of 6.5%.
CMG One-Year Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, CMG trades at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 3.76, below the industry’s average of 3.68.
CMG’s P/S Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CMG’s fiscal 2026 earnings per share (EPS) implies a year-over-year decline of 2.6%. The EPS estimates for fiscal 2026 have declined in the past 30 days.
EPS Trend of CMG Stock
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CMG stock currently has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
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Is Chipotle Leveraging AI to Reengage Lapsed Customers?

Looking at the universe of stocks we cover at Dividend Channel, on 2/20/26, Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc (Symbol: ATMU), Yum! Brands Inc (Symbol: YUM), and Bath & Body Works Inc (Symbol: BBWI) will all trade ex-dividend for their respective upcoming dividends. Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.055 on 3/4/26, Yum! Brands Inc will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.75 on 3/6/26, and Bath & Body Works Inc will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.20 on 3/6/26. As a percentage of ATMU's recent stock price of $64.09, this dividend works out to approximately 0.09%, so look for shares of Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc to trade 0.09% lower — all else being equal — when ATMU shares open for trading on 2/20/26. Similarly, investors should look for YUM to open 0.47% lower in price and for BBWI to open 0.81% lower, all else being equal.
Below are dividend history charts for ATMU, YUM, and BBWI, showing historical dividends prior to the most recent ones declared.
Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc (Symbol: ATMU):
Yum! Brands Inc (Symbol: YUM):
Bath & Body Works Inc (Symbol: BBWI):
In general, dividends are not always predictable, following the ups and downs of company profits over time. Therefore, a good first due diligence step in forming an expectation of annual yield going forward, is looking at the history above, for a sense of stability over time. This can help in judging whether the most recent dividends from these companies are likely to continue. If they do continue, the current estimated yields on annualized basis would be 0.34% for Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc, 1.86% for Yum! Brands Inc, and 3.24% for Bath & Body Works Inc.
In Wednesday trading, Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc shares are currently off about 0.1%, Yum! Brands Inc shares are up about 0.4%, and Bath & Body Works Inc shares are up about 2.5% on the day.
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Ex-Dividend Reminder: Atmus Filtration Technologies, Yum! Brands and Bath & Body Works

Dutch Bros Inc. BROS reported fourth-quarter 2025 results, wherein earnings and revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both metrics increased on a year-over-year basis. Following the release, Dutch Bros’ stock climbed 12.3% yesterday in the after-hours trading session.
Dutch Bros’ results reflected strong systemwide momentum, supported by healthy transaction growth, comparable-shop sales expansion and accelerated shop development across both existing and newer markets. Management underscored that disciplined execution of its long-term growth strategy, coupled with refined development processes and a strengthened people pipeline, continued to drive new shop productivity and brand resonance. With an expanding pipeline and ongoing investments in capabilities, Dutch Bros remains focused on advancing toward its multi-year unit growth of 2,029 shops in 2029.
BROS’ Q4 Earnings & Revenue Discussion
In fourth-quarter 2025, Dutch Bros reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 17 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 10 cents. It reported an adjusted EPS of 7 cents in the prior-year quarter.
Dutch Bros Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Quarterly total revenues of $443.6 million beat the consensus mark of $427 million. The top line increased 29.4% year over year.
At company-operated shops, revenues were $409.6 million, up 30.4% year over year. Franchising and other revenues amounted to $34 million, which increased 19% year over year.
Dutch Bros’ Comps Details
In the quarter under discussion, systemwide same-shop sales rose 7.7% compared with 6.9% reported in the prior-year quarter. Systemwide same-shop transactions increased 5.4% compared with 2.3% reported in the same period last year.
Company-operated same-shop sales advanced 9.7% compared with 9.5% reported in the year-ago quarter, while company-operated same-shop transactions improved 7.6% compared with 5.2% reported in the prior-year period.
Operating Highlights & Expenses of Dutch Bros
In the fourth quarter, Dutch Bros’ total costs and expenses were $409.7 million compared with $327 million reported in the prior-year quarter.
Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses — as a percentage of revenues — stood at 14.7%, contracting 410 basis points from 18.8% reported in the prior-year quarter.
Adjusted net income totaled $30.1 million compared with $12.5 million reported in the prior-year quarter.
Balance Sheet of BROS
As of Dec. 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents totaled $269.4 million compared with $293.3 million as of Dec. 31, 2024. Long-term debt (less current portion) at the end of the fourth quarter totaled $196.3 million compared with $219.8 million reported as of Dec. 31, 2024.
Shop Openings and Expansion Plans
In the fourth quarter of 2025, BROS opened 55 new shops, including 52 company-operated locations, across 17 states. For 2026, the company expects to open a minimum of 181 shops.
BROS’ 2025 Highlights
Total revenues in 2025 amounted to $1.64 billion compared with $1.28 billion in 2024.
Adjusted net income in 2025 came in at $133.9 million compared with $87.8 million reported in 2024.
In 2025, adjusted EPS came in at 76 cents compared with 49 cents reported in the previous year.
BROS’ 2026 Outlook
Dutch Bros expects 2026 total revenues to be in the band of $2-$2.03 billion. Same-shop sales growth is expected to be in the range of 3% to 5%.
Adjusted EBITDA is still expected to be within $355-$365 million. Capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of $270 million to $290 million.
BROS’ Zacks Rank
Dutch Bros currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Recent Retail-Wholesale Releases
YUM! Brands, Inc. YUM reported fourth-quarter 2025 results, with earnings missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate but revenues beating the same. However, both metrics increased year over year.
Yum! Brands capped off another strong year, led by impressive performances at KFC and Taco Bell. Taco Bell continued to outperform the market, posting exceptional same-store sales gains, while KFC achieved a new milestone in restaurant expansion, marking its best year ever for unit growth. Turner noted that YUM heads into 2026 with sharpened priorities centered on its long-term “Raise the Bar” strategy, aimed at sustaining growth.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. CMG reported fourth-quarter 2025 results, with earnings and revenues beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The top line increased from the prior-year quarter’s figure, while the bottom line remained flat.
Chipotle's fourth-quarter results were affected by various headwinds, including near-term margin pressure due to elevated labor, marketing and operating costs. Negative investor sentiment was observed for CMG as management highlighted declining comparable sales amid a dynamic and uncertain consumer backdrop.
Starbucks Corporation SBUX reported mixed first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with earnings missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate and net revenues beating the same. The top line increased, but the bottom line declined from the prior-year quarter’s figure.
Starbucks’ management said first-quarter fiscal 2026 results show the “Back to Starbucks” strategy is gaining traction sooner than expected, with sales improving as more customers return and visit often. SBUX is confident this momentum will translate into sustainable earnings growth and support long-term profitability.
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Dutch Bros Q4 Earnings & Revenues Beat Estimates, Rise Y/Y, Stock Up

McDonald's Corporation MCD reported fourth-quarter 2025 results, with earnings and revenues beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The top and bottom lines increased on a year-over-year basis.
McDonald’s results reflected solid systemwide momentum, supported by comparable-sales growth, accelerated restaurant expansion and strong engagement across markets. Management emphasized that value leadership, impactful marketing and menu innovation remained central to performance, with initiatives like McValue, global campaigns and new product launches driving customer engagement.
MCD’s Q4 Earnings & Revenue Discussion
In fourth-quarter 2025, McDonald's reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.12, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.05. It reported an adjusted EPS of $2.83 in the prior-year quarter.
Quarterly net revenues of $7 billion beat the consensus mark of $6.85 billion. Additionally, the top line rose 10% year over year.
McDonald's Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
At company-operated restaurants, sales were $2.54 billion, up 10% year over year. Sales at franchise-operated restaurants amounted to $4.31 billion, which increased 9% year over year. Moreover, Other revenues rose 35% year over year to $162 million. Our model predicted sales by company-operated restaurants to rise 10.5%, while franchise-operated restaurants were expected to increase 3.4% from the prior-year levels.
McDonald's Comps Details
In the quarter under discussion, global comps rose 5.7% compared with the 0.4% rise reported in the prior-year quarter. Our estimate was a 3.7% increase year over year.
Comps Across MCD’s Segments
The United States: In the fourth quarter, segmental comps rose 6.8% against a 1.4% decline registered in the prior-year quarter. The company's comparable sales for the quarter were aided by positive check growth. Our model estimated the U.S. comps to increase 2.9%.
International Operated Markets: Segmental comps jumped 5.2% compared with the 0.1% increase reported in the year-ago quarter. The rise was driven by positive comparable sales across the U.K., Germany and Australia. We anticipated an increase of 4.7% from the year-ago levels.
International Developmental Licensed Segment: Segmental comparable sales registered a 4.5% increase compared with a 4.1% increase reported in the prior-year quarter. Japan led the growth in positive comparable sales, with all geographic regions also reporting increases.
Operating Highlights & Expenses of McDonald's
In the fourth quarter, McDonald’s total operating costs and expenses were $3.85 billion, up 9% year over year.
Operating income rose 10% year over year to $3.15 billion. Net income totaled $2.16 billion, up 7% year over year.
MCD’s 2025 Highlights
Total revenues in 2025 amounted to $26.9 billion compared with $25.9 billion in 2024.
Net income in 2025 came in at $8.6 billion compared with $8.2 billion reported in 2024.
In 2025, diluted EPS came in at $12.20 compared with $11.72 reported in the previous year.
MCD’s Zacks Rank & Recent Retail-Wholesale Releases
McDonald’s currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
YUM! Brands, Inc. YUM reported fourth-quarter 2025 results, with earnings missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate but revenues beating the same. However, both metrics increased year over year.
Yum! Brands capped off another strong year, led by impressive performances at KFC and Taco Bell. Taco Bell continued to outperform the market, posting exceptional same-store sales gains, while KFC achieved a new milestone in restaurant expansion, marking its best year ever for unit growth. Turner noted that YUM heads into 2026 with sharpened priorities centered on its long-term “Raise the Bar” strategy, aimed at sustaining growth.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. CMG reported fourth-quarter 2025 results, with earnings and revenues beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The top line increased from the prior-year quarter’s figure, while the bottom line remained flat.
Chipotle's fourth-quarter results were affected by various headwinds, including near-term margin pressure due to elevated labor, marketing and operating costs. Negative investor sentiment was observed for CMG as management highlighted declining comparable sales amid a dynamic and uncertain consumer backdrop.
Starbucks Corporation SBUX reported mixed first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with earnings missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate and net revenues beating the same. The top line increased, but the bottom line declined from the prior-year quarter’s figure.
Starbucks’ management said first-quarter fiscal 2026 results show the “Back to Starbucks” strategy is gaining traction sooner than expected, with sales improving as more customers return and visit often. SBUX is confident this momentum will translate into sustainable earnings growth and support long-term profitability.
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McDonald's Q4 Earnings & Revenues Beat Estimates, Rise Y/Y

(RTTNews) - Pizza Hut (YUM) is set to close hundreds of restaurants across the United States as its owner, Yum! Brands, continues to reassess the long-term direction of the struggling chain.
During its latestearnings call Yum! said around 250 underperforming Pizza Hut locations will shut in the first half of the year, representing about 3 percent of the brand's U.S. footprint. The company did not disclose which outlets will be affected.
The closures come as part of a broader strategic review launched late last year, in which Yum! is evaluating options for Pizza Hut, including a potential sale. Management offered no new details on that process, other than confirming it expects the review to conclude sometime this year.
Pizza Hut's challenges persist amid intense competition in the U.S. pizza market, particularly from Domino's. The brand posted another weak quarter, with U.S. same-store sales down 3 percent. Efforts to reignite demand through value-focused offerings, such as a $5 pizza, have yet to gain traction with customers.
In contrast, Yum!'s other brands delivered stronger results. Taco Bell continued to outperform, with same-store sales rising 7 percent as frequent menu launches attracted a broad mix of consumers, including higher-income households. KFC showed modest progress in the U.S., posting a 1 percent increase in comparable sales as it leans on menu innovation to regain share from fast-growing chicken rivals.
Despite Pizza Hut's ongoing struggles, Yum! shares are up about 6 percent so far this year, reflecting investor confidence in the group's broader portfolio and its willingness to make tough decisions around underperforming assets.
YUM currently trades at $161.18 or 1.01% higher on the NYSE.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Yum! Brands, Inc.

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