Let's dig into the relative performance of Portillo's (NASDAQ:PTLO) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q4 traditional fast food earnings season.

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 15 traditional fast food stocks we track reported a decent Q4; on average, revenues beat analyst consensus estimates by 0.6% Valuation multiples for growth stocks have reverted to their historical means after reaching highs in early 2021, but traditional fast food stocks held their ground better than others, with the share prices up 7% on average since the previous earnings results.

Portillo's (NASDAQ:PTLO)

Begun as a Chicago hot dog stand in 1963, Portillo’s (NASDAQ:PTLO) is a casual restaurant chain that serves Chicago-style hot dogs and beef sandwiches as well as fries and shakes.

Portillo's reported revenues of $187.9 million, up 24.5% year on year, topping analyst expectations by 2%. It was a stunning quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' revenue, gross margin, EBITDA and earnings estimates. The main driver behind the company's outperformance was better-than-expected same-store sales growth (4.4% vs estimates of 3.5%). It also opened 6 new restaurants during the quarter (12 for all of 2023) in Illinois, Texas, and Florida.

Michael Osanloo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Portillo’s, said “Portillo’s has been a beloved brand for 60 years, and we only continue to get better. In 2023, we grew revenue and adjusted EBITDA by double-digits. We generated record operating cash flow. We opened 12 new restaurants. We ended the year with positive traffic and multi-year highs in guest satisfaction. We do this by building on what makes us great — impeccable operations and an excellent value proposition. This is our playbook. It’s how we drive the kind of results you saw from us in 2023. And we’re just getting started.”

The stock is down 3% since the results and currently trades at $13.35.

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

Best Q4: Yum China (NYSE:YUMC)

One of China’s largest restaurant companies, Yum China (NYSE:YUMC) is an independent entity spun off from Yum! Brands in 2016.

Yum China reported revenues of $2.49 billion, up 19.4% year on year, outperforming analyst expectations by 7%. It was a stunning quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' revenue estimates, driven by better-than-expected same store sales and a higher number of locations. Profitability was also solid, leading to an EPS beat.

Yum China scored the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is up 4% since the results and currently trades at $38.94.

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

Weakest Q4: Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX)

Started by three friends in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market, Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) is a globally-renowned coffeehouse chain that offers a wide selection of high-quality coffee, beverages, and food items.

Starbucks reported revenues of $9.43 billion, up 8.2% year on year, falling short of analyst expectations by 2.1%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with a miss of analysts' revenue and earnings estimates.

The stock is down 3.7% since the results and currently trades at $90.61.

Read our full analysis of Starbucks's results here.

Krispy Kreme (NASDAQ:DNUT)

Famous for its Original Glazed doughnuts and parent company of Insomnia Cookies, Krispy Kreme (NASDAQ:DNUT) is one of the most beloved and well-known fast-food chains in the world.

Krispy Kreme reported revenues of $450.9 million, up 11.4% year on year, surpassing analyst expectations by 2.7%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with underwhelming earnings guidance for the full year and a miss of analysts' gross margin estimates.

The stock is up 33.3% since the results and currently trades at $18.46.

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

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