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 Q4, starting with Cracker Barrel (NASDAQ: CBRL).

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 satisfactory Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.9% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 2.4% below.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 17.6% since the latest earnings results.

Cracker Barrel (NASDAQ: CBRL)

Known for its country-themed food and merchandise, Cracker Barrel (NASDAQ: CBRL) is a beloved American restaurant and retail chain that celebrates the warmth and charm of Southern hospitality.

Cracker Barrel reported revenues of $949.4 million, up 1.5% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates.

Commenting on the second quarter results, Cracker Barrel President and Chief Executive Officer Julie Masino said, "Outstanding execution by our teams, coupled with our actions to improve the profitability of our off-premise channels during the high-volume holiday season, delivered strong second quarter results that exceeded our expectations. Despite some recent industry-wide softness, these results, together with the continued improvements in key guest and operational metrics and the initiatives we have planned for our important fourth quarter, make us confident in raising our financial outlook for the remainder of the year."

The stock is down 11.9% since reporting and currently trades at $35.51.

Is now the time to buy Cracker Barrel? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q4: 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 $1.36 billion, up 26.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 9.6%. The business had an incredible quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Brinker International delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat and highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 12.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $135.09.

Is now the time to buy Brinker International? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: 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 $972 million, down 18.6% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 9.9%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations and a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Bloomin' Brands delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 39.5% since the results and currently trades at $7.20.

Read our full analysis of Bloomin' Brands’s results here.

First Watch (NASDAQ: FWRG)

Based on a nautical reference to the first work shift aboard a ship, First Watch (NASDAQ: FWRG) is a chain of breakfast and brunch restaurants whose menu is heavily-focused on eggs and griddle items such as pancakes.

First Watch reported revenues of $263.3 million, up 7.6% year on year. This result met analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 7.1% since reporting and currently trades at $16.81.

Read our full, actionable report on First Watch here, it’s free.

Red Robin (NASDAQ: RRGB)

Known for its bottomless steak fries, Red Robin (NASDAQ: RRGB) is a chain of casual restaurants specializing in burgers and general American fare.

Red Robin reported revenues of $285.2 million, down 7.7% year on year. This number was in line with analysts’ expectations. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Red Robin had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is down 33.6% since reporting and currently trades at $3.01.

Read our full, actionable report on Red Robin here, it’s free.

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