The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who not so much). Let’s take a look at how sit-down dining stocks fared in Q3, starting with BJ's (NASDAQ: BJRI).

Sit-down restaurants offer a complete dining experience with table service. These establishments span various cuisines and are renowned for their warm hospitality and welcoming ambiance, making them perfect for family gatherings, special occasions, or simply unwinding. Their extensive menus range from appetizers to indulgent desserts and wines and cocktails. This space is extremely fragmented and competition includes everything from publicly-traded companies owning multiple chains to single-location mom-and-pop restaurants.

The 13 sit-down dining stocks we track reported a mixed Q3. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 9% on average since the latest earnings results.

BJ's (NASDAQ: BJRI)

Founded in 1978 in California, BJ’s Restaurants (NASDAQ: BJRI) is a chain of restaurants whose menu features classic American dishes, often with a twist.

BJ's reported revenues of $330.2 million, up 1.4% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1.1%. Overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a slight miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

“We are pleased to report our 5th consecutive quarter of sales and traffic growth, along with our 4th consecutive quarter of profit expansion,” commented Lyle Tick, Chief Executive Officer and President.

The stock is up 40.7% since reporting and currently trades at $40.37.

Is now the time to buy BJ's? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q3: Bloomin' Brands (NASDAQ: BLMN)

Owner of the iconic Australian-themed Outback Steakhouse, Bloomin’ Brands (NASDAQ: BLMN) is a leading American restaurant company that owns and operates a portfolio of popular restaurant brands.

Bloomin' Brands reported revenues of $928.8 million, down 10.6% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 2.8% since reporting. It currently trades at $7.03.

Is now the time to buy Bloomin' Brands? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Slowest Q3: Denny's (NASDAQ: DENN)

Open around the clock, Denny’s (NASDAQ: DENN) is a chain of diner restaurants serving breakfast and traditional American fare.

Denny's reported revenues of $113.2 million, up 1.3% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 3.2%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 51.1% since the results and currently trades at $6.21.

Read our full analysis of Denny’s results here.

Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ: TXRH)

With locations often featuring Western-inspired decor, Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ: TXRH) is an American restaurant chain specializing in Southern-style cuisine and steaks.

Texas Roadhouse reported revenues of $1.44 billion, up 12.8% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates but a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is up 5.5% since reporting and currently trades at $169.62.

Read our full, actionable report on Texas Roadhouse here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Brinker International (NYSE: EAT)

Founded by Norman Brinker in Dallas, Brinker International (NYSE: EAT) is a casual restaurant chain that operates the Chili’s, Maggiano’s Little Italy, and It’s Just Wings banners.

Brinker International reported revenues of $1.35 billion, up 18.5% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. Aside from that, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates but full-year revenue guidance slightly missing analysts’ expectations.

Brinker International had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is up 15.7% since reporting and currently trades at $143.71.

Read our full, actionable report on Brinker International here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s series of rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has cooled significantly from its post-pandemic highs, drawing closer to the 2% goal. This disinflation has occurred without severely impacting economic growth, suggesting the success of a soft landing. The stock market thrived in 2024, spurred by recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November), and a notable surge followed Donald Trump’s presidential election win in November, propelling indices to historic highs. Nonetheless, the outlook for 2025 remains clouded by potential trade policy changes and corporate tax discussions, which could impact business confidence and growth. The path forward holds both optimism and caution as new policies take shape.

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