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 Brinker International (NYSE:EAT).

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 14 sit-down dining stocks we track reported a decent Q4; on average, revenues were in line with analyst consensus estimates. Stocks, especially growth stocks where cash flows further in the future are more important to the story, had a good end of 2023. The beginning of 2024 saw mixed inflation data, however, leading to more volatile stock performance, and sit-down dining stocks have held roughly steady amidst all this, with share prices up 0.3% on average since the previous earnings results.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT)

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

Brinker International reported revenues of $1.07 billion, up 5.4% year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 0.4%. It was a decent quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' gross margin estimates but a miss of analysts' revenue estimates.

"Our second quarter marked another quarter of year over year growth with continued margin improvement, driven by our strategy to simplify operations, improve our food, service, and atmosphere, and deploy an effective marketing plan," said Kevin Hochman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Brinker International.

The stock is up 14.7% since the results and currently trades at $46.69.

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

Best Q4: 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 $244.6 million, up 31.7% year on year, outperforming analyst expectations by 3.1%. It was an incredible quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' earnings estimates. The company also guided to full year 2024 revenue and adjusted EBITDA above expectations.

First Watch pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 9.7% since the results and currently trades at $22.97.

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

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 $57.29 million, up 30.4% year on year, exceeding analyst expectations by 1.1%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with a miss of analysts' earnings estimates.

The stock is up 8.4% since the results and currently trades at $112.87.

Read our full analysis of Kura Sushi'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 $89.94 million, up 1.8% year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 8.3%. It was a slower quarter for the company, with full-year revenue guidance missing analysts' expectations and a miss of analysts' revenue estimates.

The ONE Group had the weakest performance against analyst estimates and weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is up 59.4% since the results and currently trades at $5.69.

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

Darden (NYSE:DRI)

Started in 1968 as the famous seafood joint, Red Lobster, Darden (NYSE:DRI) is a leading American restaurant company that owns and operates a portfolio of popular restaurant brands.

Darden reported revenues of $2.97 billion, up 6.8% year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 1.7%. It was a slower quarter for the company, with a miss of analysts' revenue estimates and full-year revenue guidance missing analysts' expectations.

The stock is down 11.2% since the results and currently trades at $155.01.

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

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