Cracker Barrel Reports Missed Earnings, Shares Surge Post-Results
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 6 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy CBRL?
Source: seekingalpha
- Earnings Performance: Cracker Barrel reported $874.8 million in revenue for Q2, an 8% decline year-over-year, yet it slightly outperformed the expected $864.35 million, indicating resilience amid challenging conditions.
- Profitability Shift: Adjusted earnings per share were $0.25, significantly down from $1.38 a year ago, but better than the anticipated loss of $0.30 per share, suggesting effective cost control measures.
- Sales Forecast Adjustment: The company revised its FY26 revenue outlook to between $3.24 billion and $3.27 billion, with a new midpoint of $3.255 billion slightly above market expectations, reflecting cautious optimism from management regarding future sales.
- Investment Plans: Cracker Barrel plans to invest between $105 million and $115 million in FY26, lower than the previous forecast of $110 million to $125 million, demonstrating a prudent approach to capital expenditures.
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Analyst Views on CBRL
Wall Street analysts forecast CBRL stock price to fall
8 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
4 Hold
3 Sell
Hold
Current: 29.080
Low
20.00
Averages
28.86
High
45.00
Current: 29.080
Low
20.00
Averages
28.86
High
45.00
About CBRL
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. is engaged in the operation and development of the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store concept (Cracker Barrel). It operates approximately 660 company-owned Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations in 43 states and 68 Maple Street Biscuit Company stores in 10 states. The Company’s format of its stores consists of a trademarked rustic old country-store design offering a full-service restaurant menu that features home-style country food and a wide variety of decorative and functional items such as rocking chairs, holiday and seasonal gifts, toys, apparel, cookware and foods. Its breakfast items include juices, eggs, pancakes, meats, grits, and a variety of biscuit specialties, such as gravy and biscuits and country ham and biscuits. Its Lunch and dinner items include fried and grilled chicken, chicken and dumplings, meatloaf, country fried steak, pork chops, fish, country fried shrimp, steak, vegetable plates, sandwiches and salads.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Cracker Barrel Reports Strong Q2 Earnings Despite Revenue Decline
- Revenue Decline: Cracker Barrel's total revenue for Q2 was $874.8 million, a 7.9% year-over-year decrease that slightly missed analyst expectations of $876.94 million, indicating pressure in a competitive market.
- Earnings Beat: The adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.25, surpassing the analyst estimate of -$0.22, although it significantly dropped from $1.38 in the same quarter last year, suggesting some success in cost management.
- EBITDA Guidance Cut: The company narrowed its full-year adjusted EBITDA outlook to $85 million–$100 million, down from a previous range of $70 million–$110 million, reflecting a cautious outlook on future performance.
- Analyst Price Target Adjustments: Following the earnings announcement, several analysts adjusted their price targets for Cracker Barrel, with UBS raising its target from $26 to $31, Truist Securities from $45 to $47, and Wells Fargo from $30 to $35, indicating varied market perspectives on the company's future performance.
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Cracker Barrel Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.25 per Share
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Cracker Barrel declares a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's stable cash flow and shareholder return strategy, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 3.27% reflects the company's appeal in the current market environment, potentially boosting investor confidence and supporting stock price stability.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend will be payable on May 13, with a record date of April 10 and an ex-dividend date also on April 10, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns and further solidifying the relationship between the company and its investors.
- EBITDA Target: Cracker Barrel outlines an adjusted EBITDA target of $85 million to $100 million for 2026, as guest metrics improve and the loyalty program expands, demonstrating the company's confidence in future growth and strategic planning.
See More
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- Veeva Systems Beats Expectations: Veeva Systems (VEEV) reported Q4 results that exceeded expectations, projecting FY2027 revenue between $3.585B and $3.6B, surpassing the consensus of $3.56B, with non-GAAP EPS expected at $8.85, above the $8.60 consensus, indicating strong growth potential in the life sciences sector.
- Cracker Barrel Strong Performance: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (CBRL) posted better-than-expected results, now forecasting FY2026 revenue of $3.24B to $3.27B, with adjusted EBITDA projected at $85M to $100M, demonstrating the company's adaptability in managing inflation and investment adjustments.
- Broadcom's Robust Growth: Broadcom (AVGO) reported FQ1 results that topped Wall Street estimates, expecting FQ2 revenue of about $22B with adjusted EBITDA around 68%, highlighting a 106% year-over-year surge in AI semiconductor revenue to $8.4B, reflecting strong demand for AI solutions.
- Rigetti Computing Faces Challenges: Rigetti Computing (RGTI) reported Q4 results that missed expectations; however, the CEO emphasized the company's commitment to deploying its 108-qubit system, anticipating significant year-over-year revenue growth in Q1, showcasing its long-term strategic focus in quantum computing.
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Cracker Barrel Reports Q2 2026 Earnings with Mixed Results
- Sales Performance Overview: Cracker Barrel reported total sales of $874.8 million for Q2, with adjusted EBITDA at $38.2 million, highlighting a 7.9% year-over-year decline in sales, yet management emphasizes their commitment to operational improvements and enhancing customer experience.
- Customer Feedback Improvement: Following leadership changes, the Google star rating reached 4.28, the highest since Q2 of fiscal 2020, indicating a 4% to 5% year-over-year increase in food taste, service, and value scores, reflecting a gradual recovery in brand perception.
- Loyalty Program Expansion: The Cracker Barrel Rewards program now boasts over 11 million members, accounting for over 40% of tracked sales, which management views as a crucial tool for driving traffic and fostering long-term customer loyalty and sales growth.
- Cautious Future Outlook: Management anticipates total revenue for fiscal 2026 to be between $3.24 billion and $3.27 billion, despite expectations of an 8.5% to 9.5% decline in traffic, while continuing to focus on cost control and menu innovation to navigate market challenges.
See More
Cracker Barrel Reports Q2 Earnings with Mixed Results
- Revenue Decline: Cracker Barrel's total revenue for Q2 was $874.8 million, down 7.9% year-over-year and slightly missing the analyst estimate of $876.94 million, indicating challenges in a competitive dining market.
- Same-Store Sales Weakness: Comparable restaurant sales fell by 7.1% and retail sales dropped by 9.2%, reflecting weakened consumer demand that could impact future market share and profitability.
- Adjusted Earnings Performance: Although net income fell to $1.3 million from $22.2 million a year ago, adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.25, beating the analyst estimate of -$0.22, demonstrating some earnings resilience.
- Financial Outlook Adjustment: The company narrowed its fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA outlook to $85 million–$100 million, reflecting a cautious approach to future cost control, while declaring a $0.25 quarterly dividend, which bolsters shareholder confidence.
See More
Cracker Barrel (CBRL) Q2 2026 Earnings Transcript
See More
Cracker Barrel Reports Strong Q2 Earnings Despite Revenue Decline
- Revenue Decline: Cracker Barrel's total revenue for Q2 was $874.8 million, a 7.9% year-over-year decrease that slightly missed analyst expectations of $876.94 million, indicating pressure in a competitive market.
- Earnings Beat: The adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.25, surpassing the analyst estimate of -$0.22, although it significantly dropped from $1.38 in the same quarter last year, suggesting some success in cost management.
- EBITDA Guidance Cut: The company narrowed its full-year adjusted EBITDA outlook to $85 million–$100 million, down from a previous range of $70 million–$110 million, reflecting a cautious outlook on future performance.
- Analyst Price Target Adjustments: Following the earnings announcement, several analysts adjusted their price targets for Cracker Barrel, with UBS raising its target from $26 to $31, Truist Securities from $45 to $47, and Wells Fargo from $30 to $35, indicating varied market perspectives on the company's future performance.
See More
Cracker Barrel Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.25 per Share
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Cracker Barrel declares a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's stable cash flow and shareholder return strategy, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 3.27% reflects the company's appeal in the current market environment, potentially boosting investor confidence and supporting stock price stability.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend will be payable on May 13, with a record date of April 10 and an ex-dividend date also on April 10, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns and further solidifying the relationship between the company and its investors.
- EBITDA Target: Cracker Barrel outlines an adjusted EBITDA target of $85 million to $100 million for 2026, as guest metrics improve and the loyalty program expands, demonstrating the company's confidence in future growth and strategic planning.
See More
Stock Futures Dip as Oil Prices Rally Amid Iran Conflict
- Veeva Systems Beats Expectations: Veeva Systems (VEEV) reported Q4 results that exceeded expectations, projecting FY2027 revenue between $3.585B and $3.6B, surpassing the consensus of $3.56B, with non-GAAP EPS expected at $8.85, above the $8.60 consensus, indicating strong growth potential in the life sciences sector.
- Cracker Barrel Strong Performance: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (CBRL) posted better-than-expected results, now forecasting FY2026 revenue of $3.24B to $3.27B, with adjusted EBITDA projected at $85M to $100M, demonstrating the company's adaptability in managing inflation and investment adjustments.
- Broadcom's Robust Growth: Broadcom (AVGO) reported FQ1 results that topped Wall Street estimates, expecting FQ2 revenue of about $22B with adjusted EBITDA around 68%, highlighting a 106% year-over-year surge in AI semiconductor revenue to $8.4B, reflecting strong demand for AI solutions.
- Rigetti Computing Faces Challenges: Rigetti Computing (RGTI) reported Q4 results that missed expectations; however, the CEO emphasized the company's commitment to deploying its 108-qubit system, anticipating significant year-over-year revenue growth in Q1, showcasing its long-term strategic focus in quantum computing.
See More
Cracker Barrel Reports Q2 2026 Earnings with Mixed Results
- Sales Performance Overview: Cracker Barrel reported total sales of $874.8 million for Q2, with adjusted EBITDA at $38.2 million, highlighting a 7.9% year-over-year decline in sales, yet management emphasizes their commitment to operational improvements and enhancing customer experience.
- Customer Feedback Improvement: Following leadership changes, the Google star rating reached 4.28, the highest since Q2 of fiscal 2020, indicating a 4% to 5% year-over-year increase in food taste, service, and value scores, reflecting a gradual recovery in brand perception.
- Loyalty Program Expansion: The Cracker Barrel Rewards program now boasts over 11 million members, accounting for over 40% of tracked sales, which management views as a crucial tool for driving traffic and fostering long-term customer loyalty and sales growth.
- Cautious Future Outlook: Management anticipates total revenue for fiscal 2026 to be between $3.24 billion and $3.27 billion, despite expectations of an 8.5% to 9.5% decline in traffic, while continuing to focus on cost control and menu innovation to navigate market challenges.
See More
Cracker Barrel Reports Q2 Earnings with Mixed Results
- Revenue Decline: Cracker Barrel's total revenue for Q2 was $874.8 million, down 7.9% year-over-year and slightly missing the analyst estimate of $876.94 million, indicating challenges in a competitive dining market.
- Same-Store Sales Weakness: Comparable restaurant sales fell by 7.1% and retail sales dropped by 9.2%, reflecting weakened consumer demand that could impact future market share and profitability.
- Adjusted Earnings Performance: Although net income fell to $1.3 million from $22.2 million a year ago, adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.25, beating the analyst estimate of -$0.22, demonstrating some earnings resilience.
- Financial Outlook Adjustment: The company narrowed its fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA outlook to $85 million–$100 million, reflecting a cautious approach to future cost control, while declaring a $0.25 quarterly dividend, which bolsters shareholder confidence.
See More
Cracker Barrel (CBRL) Q2 2026 Earnings Transcript
See More
