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Spotting Winners: BJ's (NASDAQ:BJRI) And Sit-Down Dining Stocks In Q2

By: StockStory

August 25, 2025 at 23:33 PM EDT

BJRI Cover Image

Let’s dig into the relative performance of BJ's (NASDAQ: BJRI) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q2 sit-down dining earnings season.

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 12 sit-down dining stocks we track reported a mixed Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 5.4% below.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady. On average, they are relatively unchanged 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 $365.6 million, up 4.5% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, and overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

“We are pleased with the continued growth and improvement of our sales and profitability and the progress we are making against our short- and long-term strategic initiatives,” commented Lyle Tick, Chief Executive Officer and President.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 5.1% since reporting and currently trades at $33.65.

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

Best Q2: Kura Sushi (NASDAQ: KRUS)

Known for its conveyor belt that transports dishes to diners, Kura Sushi (NASDAQ: KRUS) is a chain of sushi restaurants serving traditional Japanese fare with a touch of modernity and technology.

Kura Sushi reported revenues of $73.97 million, up 17.3% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2.5%. The business had a very strong quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

Kura Sushi pulled off the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 9.4% since reporting. It currently trades at $78.65.

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

Weakest Q2: 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 $1.00 billion, down 10.4% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 1.4%. Still, it was a softer quarter as it posted full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations and EPS guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

Bloomin' Brands delivered the slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 20.3% since the results and currently trades at $7.16.

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

The ONE Group (NASDAQ: STKS)

Doubling as a hospitality services provider for hotels and resorts, The One Group Hospitality (NASDAQ: STKS) is an upscale restaurant company that operates STK Steakhouse and Kona Grill.

The ONE Group reported revenues of $207.4 million, up 20.2% year on year. This result lagged analysts' expectations by 0.7%. It was a slower quarter as it also logged a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and EBITDA guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

The ONE Group had the weakest performance against analyst estimates among its peers. The stock is down 3.3% since reporting and currently trades at $2.95.

Read our full, actionable report on The ONE Group here, it’s free.

Dine Brands (NYSE: DIN)

Operating a franchise model, Dine Brands (NYSE: DIN) is a casual restaurant chain that owns the Applebee’s and IHOP banners.

Dine Brands reported revenues of $230.8 million, up 11.9% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 3.3%. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Dine Brands pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is up 1.2% since reporting and currently trades at $22.07.

Read our full, actionable report on Dine Brands here, it’s free.

Market Update

The Fed’s interest rate hikes throughout 2022 and 2023 have successfully cooled post-pandemic inflation, bringing it closer to the 2% target. Inflationary pressures have eased without tipping the economy into a recession, suggesting a soft landing. This stability, paired with recent rate cuts (0.5% in September 2024 and 0.25% in November 2024), fueled a strong year for the stock market in 2024. The markets surged further after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, with major indices reaching record highs in the days following the election. Still, questions remain about the direction of economic policy, as potential tariffs and corporate tax changes add uncertainty for 2025.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 6 Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.

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