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Q2 Earnings Highlights: The Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ:CAKE) Vs The Rest Of The Sit-Down Dining Stocks

By: StockStory

September 10, 2025 at 23:36 PM EDT

CAKE Cover Image

Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at The Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ: CAKE) and the best and worst performers in the sit-down dining industry.

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.

While some sit-down dining stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 2.7% since the latest earnings results.

The Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ: CAKE)

Celebrated for its delicious (and free) brown bread, gigantic portions, and delectable desserts, Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ: CAKE) is an iconic American restaurant chain that also owns and operates a portfolio of separate restaurant brands.

The Cheesecake Factory reported revenues of $955.8 million, up 5.7% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

“We delivered another quarter of strong results, with record-high revenue, continued margin expansion, and profitability that exceeded our guidance,” said David Overton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 7.1% since reporting and currently trades at $58.65.

Is now the time to buy The Cheesecake Factory? 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 8.4% since reporting. It currently trades at $79.50.

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.

Bloomin' Brands delivered the slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 23.5% since the results and currently trades at $6.87.

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

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 print beat analysts’ expectations by 3.3%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced a solid beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Dine Brands delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is up 7.6% since reporting and currently trades at $23.45.

Read our full, actionable report on Dine Brands 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 $283.7 million, down 5.5% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 1.5%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also produced a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Red Robin had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is up 4.3% since reporting and currently trades at $6.24.

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

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.

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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