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Traditional Fast Food Stocks Q2 Results: Benchmarking Restaurant Brands (NYSE:QSR)

By: StockStory

September 25, 2025 at 23:32 PM EDT

QSR 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 Restaurant Brands (NYSE: QSR) and the best and worst performers in the traditional fast food industry.

Traditional fast-food restaurants are renowned for their speed and convenience, boasting menus filled with familiar and budget-friendly items. Their reputations for on-the-go consumption make them favored destinations for individuals and families needing a quick meal. This class of restaurants, however, is fighting the perception that their meals are unhealthy and made with inferior ingredients, a battle that's especially relevant today given the consumers increasing focus on health and wellness.

The 13 traditional fast food stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.8%.

While some traditional fast food stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 2.8% since the latest earnings results.

Restaurant Brands (NYSE: QSR)

Formed through a strategic merger, Restaurant Brands International (NYSE: QSR) is a multinational corporation that owns three iconic fast-food chains: Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Popeyes.

Restaurant Brands reported revenues of $2.41 billion, up 15.9% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.9%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with same-store sales in line with analysts’ estimates.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 5.9% since reporting and currently trades at $64.56.

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

Best Q2: Dutch Bros (NYSE: BROS)

Started in 1992 by two brothers as a single pushcart, Dutch Bros (NYSE: BROS) is a dynamic coffee chain that’s captured the hearts of coffee enthusiasts across the United States.

Dutch Bros reported revenues of $415.8 million, up 28% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 3.1%. The business had a stunning quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA and same-store sales estimates.

Dutch Bros pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 7.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $53.42.

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

Weakest Q2: Jack in the Box (NASDAQ: JACK)

Delighting customers since its inception in 1951, Jack in the Box (NASDAQ: JACK) is a distinctive fast-food chain known for its bold flavors, innovative menu items, and quirky marketing.

Jack in the Box reported revenues of $333 million, down 9.8% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2.1%. It was a softer quarter as it posted a miss of analysts’ EBITDA and same-store sales estimates.

Jack in the Box delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 1.4% since the results and currently trades at $19.20.

Read our full analysis of Jack in the Box’s results here.

Arcos Dorados (NYSE: ARCO)

Translating to “Golden Arches” in Spanish, Arcos Dorados (NYSE: ARCO) is the master franchisee of the McDonald's brand in Latin America and the Caribbean, responsible for its operations and growth in over 20 countries.

Arcos Dorados reported revenues of $1.14 billion, up 2.8% year on year. This number lagged analysts' expectations by 1.8%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also logged a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ same-store sales estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $6.97.

Read our full, actionable report on Arcos Dorados here, it’s free.

Wendy's (NASDAQ: WEN)

Founded by Dave Thomas in 1969, Wendy’s (NASDAQ: WEN) is a renowned fast-food chain known for its fresh, never-frozen beef burgers, flavorful menu options, and commitment to quality.

Wendy's reported revenues of $560.9 million, down 1.7% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 0.6%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations.

The stock is down 8.2% since reporting and currently trades at $9.15.

Read our full, actionable report on Wendy's here, it’s free.

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been on a steady path downward, easing back toward that 2% sweet spot. Fortunately (miraculously to some), all this tightening didn’t send the economy tumbling into a recession, so here we are, cautiously celebrating a soft landing. The cherry on top? Recent rate cuts (half a point in September 2024, a quarter in November) have propped up markets, especially after Trump’s November win lit a fire under major indices and sent them to all-time highs. However, there’s still plenty to ponder — tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and what 2025 might hold for the economy.

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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