Restaurant Sales Slow as Gas Prices Rise
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 hour ago
0mins
Should l Buy QSR?
Source: Newsfilter
- Sales Slowdown: According to Black Box Intelligence, restaurant traffic fell 2.3% in March compared to the previous year, primarily due to rising gas prices, which have led consumers, especially low-income groups, to cut back on dining out.
- Applebee's Strategy: To attract budget-conscious diners, Applebee's is accelerating its rollout of an All-You-Can-Eat special for $15.99, aiming to boost traffic and enhance its competitive position in the market amid rising costs.
- Market Share Competition: Some restaurant CEOs see the rise in gas prices as an opportunity to capture market share from weaker competitors, with Chili's CEO noting an acceleration in their market share as overall restaurant spending declines.
- Diverse Fast-Food Performance: Despite the overall sales slowdown, McDonald's reported a 3.7% same-store sales growth in Q1, driven by increased spending from higher-income consumers, while Burger King achieved a 5.8% growth, highlighting significant performance disparities among brands.
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Analyst Views on QSR
Wall Street analysts forecast QSR stock price to fall
15 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 79.710
Low
64.00
Averages
78.53
High
86.00
Current: 79.710
Low
64.00
Averages
78.53
High
86.00
About QSR
Restaurant Brands International Inc. is a quick-service restaurant company. It franchises and operates quick-service restaurants serving coffee and other beverage and food products. Its segments include Tim Hortons (TH), Burger King (BK), Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (PLK), Firehouse Subs (FHS), International (INTL) and Restaurant Holdings. Tim Hortons is a coffee and baked goods restaurant chain in North America. Tim Hortons restaurants also serve a variety of hot and cold specialty beverages alongside breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings, including sandwiches, wraps, flatbread pizzas, and more. Burger King is a quick-service hamburger restaurant chain and is Home of the Whopper. Burger King restaurants feature flame-grilled hamburgers, chicken and other specialty sandwiches. Popeyes is a quick-service chicken concept, and delivers guests a Louisiana-style menu featuring fried bone-in chicken, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, wings, fried shrimp and regional items.
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.
Restaurant Chains Face Sales Slowdown Due to Rising Gas Prices
- Gas Price Impact: The U.S. conflict with Iran has driven gas prices above $4.50 per gallon, resulting in a record low for consumer sentiment, with 43% of surveyed drivers cutting back on dining out and takeout, directly affecting restaurant sales performance.
- Industry Traffic Decline: According to Black Box Intelligence, restaurant traffic fell 2.3% in March compared to the previous year, indicating that consumers are opting for lower-cost dining options in a high gas price environment, posing ongoing risks for many restaurant chains.
- Applebee's Strategy: To attract budget-conscious consumers, Applebee's is accelerating its rollout of an All-You-Can-Eat special priced at $15.99, aiming to boost traffic and enhance its competitive position in the market amidst rising costs.
- Market Share Shifts: Despite the overall decline in restaurant spending, brands like Chili's and Burger King have seen market share gains, with Chili's CEO noting that strong brands will become stronger, reflecting the dynamic changes in the market under economic pressure.
See More
Restaurant Sales Slow as Gas Prices Rise
- Sales Slowdown: According to Black Box Intelligence, restaurant traffic fell 2.3% in March compared to the previous year, primarily due to rising gas prices, which have led consumers, especially low-income groups, to cut back on dining out.
- Applebee's Strategy: To attract budget-conscious diners, Applebee's is accelerating its rollout of an All-You-Can-Eat special for $15.99, aiming to boost traffic and enhance its competitive position in the market amid rising costs.
- Market Share Competition: Some restaurant CEOs see the rise in gas prices as an opportunity to capture market share from weaker competitors, with Chili's CEO noting an acceleration in their market share as overall restaurant spending declines.
- Diverse Fast-Food Performance: Despite the overall sales slowdown, McDonald's reported a 3.7% same-store sales growth in Q1, driven by increased spending from higher-income consumers, while Burger King achieved a 5.8% growth, highlighting significant performance disparities among brands.
See More
Burger King Transforms Through Customer Feedback
- Customer Feedback Drives Transformation: Burger King President Tom Curtis revealed that he personally took 1,800 customer calls, contributing to over 70,000 incoming calls, which directly influenced the brand's turnaround, particularly in improving its signature Whopper.
- Significant Sales Growth: Burger King U.S. achieved a 5.8% same-store sales growth in the three months ending in March, significantly outperforming competitors, indicating the company's strong market performance amid weaker consumer spending.
- Product Improvement Strategy: After two years of evaluation, Burger King opted for modest adjustments to its signature sandwich, launching the 'Elevated Whopper' with a new glazed bun and creamier mayo, which has received positive customer feedback and resulted in the highest sales volumes in over three years.
- Enhanced Family Experience: By introducing new King Junior meals and SpongeBob-themed promotions, Burger King saw kids meal sales rise approximately 40% over the past six months, demonstrating the company's success in improving the family dining experience and attracting more family customers.
See More
CIBC Increases Target Price for Restaurant Brands International Inc. to $86 from $81
Restaurant Brands International: The company has announced a price increase for its stock target.
CIBC Raises Target Price: The target price for Restaurant Brands has been raised to $86 from $81.
See More
Restaurant Brands International Q1 2026 Earnings Highlights
- Share Buyback Resumption: Restaurant Brands International restarted share repurchases in March, having bought back $60 million by April 30, with a target of approximately $500 million for the full year 2026, indicating strong confidence in future growth.
- Strong Sales Growth: In Q1, comparable sales grew by 3.2% and system-wide sales increased by 6.2%, with U.S. Burger King same-store sales rising 5.8%, outperforming the industry average by over 5 percentage points, demonstrating the company's sustained competitive strength in the market.
- Profitability Improvement: Adjusted EPS reached $0.86, up from $0.75 last year, alongside a 10.7% organic AOI growth, reflecting effective strategies in cost control and revenue enhancement.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Management reiterated 2026 targets, including segment G&A of about $600 million to $620 million and $400 million in CapEx, with expectations for Popeyes to return to positive growth in the second half, showcasing confidence in overall business performance.
See More
Significant Stock Price Movements for Multiple Companies
- Arm Holdings Surge: Ahead of its earnings report, Arm Holdings saw a nearly 13% jump on Nasdaq, with UBS analyst raising its 12-month price target from $175 to $245, indicating strong market optimism for its growth potential.
- Healthpeak Properties Strong Performance: The healthcare REIT soared 18% after first-quarter funds from operations and revenue exceeded Wall Street expectations, raising its second-quarter FFO guidance to $1.71 to $1.75, reflecting robust business momentum.
- CDW Stock Decline: CDW shares dropped 19% after reporting disappointing operating income in Q1, with adjusted EPS of $2.28 matching consensus, yet the company reaffirmed its 2026 outlook, raising concerns about future performance.
- Aurora Innovation Partnership: Aurora Innovation's stock rose 9% following a deal to provide driverless technology to Berkshire Hathaway's McLane, which is expected to enhance its competitive edge in the long-haul trucking market.
See More
Restaurant Chains Face Sales Slowdown Due to Rising Gas Prices
- Gas Price Impact: The U.S. conflict with Iran has driven gas prices above $4.50 per gallon, resulting in a record low for consumer sentiment, with 43% of surveyed drivers cutting back on dining out and takeout, directly affecting restaurant sales performance.
- Industry Traffic Decline: According to Black Box Intelligence, restaurant traffic fell 2.3% in March compared to the previous year, indicating that consumers are opting for lower-cost dining options in a high gas price environment, posing ongoing risks for many restaurant chains.
- Applebee's Strategy: To attract budget-conscious consumers, Applebee's is accelerating its rollout of an All-You-Can-Eat special priced at $15.99, aiming to boost traffic and enhance its competitive position in the market amidst rising costs.
- Market Share Shifts: Despite the overall decline in restaurant spending, brands like Chili's and Burger King have seen market share gains, with Chili's CEO noting that strong brands will become stronger, reflecting the dynamic changes in the market under economic pressure.
See More
Restaurant Sales Slow as Gas Prices Rise
- Sales Slowdown: According to Black Box Intelligence, restaurant traffic fell 2.3% in March compared to the previous year, primarily due to rising gas prices, which have led consumers, especially low-income groups, to cut back on dining out.
- Applebee's Strategy: To attract budget-conscious diners, Applebee's is accelerating its rollout of an All-You-Can-Eat special for $15.99, aiming to boost traffic and enhance its competitive position in the market amid rising costs.
- Market Share Competition: Some restaurant CEOs see the rise in gas prices as an opportunity to capture market share from weaker competitors, with Chili's CEO noting an acceleration in their market share as overall restaurant spending declines.
- Diverse Fast-Food Performance: Despite the overall sales slowdown, McDonald's reported a 3.7% same-store sales growth in Q1, driven by increased spending from higher-income consumers, while Burger King achieved a 5.8% growth, highlighting significant performance disparities among brands.
See More
Burger King Transforms Through Customer Feedback
- Customer Feedback Drives Transformation: Burger King President Tom Curtis revealed that he personally took 1,800 customer calls, contributing to over 70,000 incoming calls, which directly influenced the brand's turnaround, particularly in improving its signature Whopper.
- Significant Sales Growth: Burger King U.S. achieved a 5.8% same-store sales growth in the three months ending in March, significantly outperforming competitors, indicating the company's strong market performance amid weaker consumer spending.
- Product Improvement Strategy: After two years of evaluation, Burger King opted for modest adjustments to its signature sandwich, launching the 'Elevated Whopper' with a new glazed bun and creamier mayo, which has received positive customer feedback and resulted in the highest sales volumes in over three years.
- Enhanced Family Experience: By introducing new King Junior meals and SpongeBob-themed promotions, Burger King saw kids meal sales rise approximately 40% over the past six months, demonstrating the company's success in improving the family dining experience and attracting more family customers.
See More
CIBC Increases Target Price for Restaurant Brands International Inc. to $86 from $81
Restaurant Brands International: The company has announced a price increase for its stock target.
CIBC Raises Target Price: The target price for Restaurant Brands has been raised to $86 from $81.
See More
Restaurant Brands International Q1 2026 Earnings Highlights
- Share Buyback Resumption: Restaurant Brands International restarted share repurchases in March, having bought back $60 million by April 30, with a target of approximately $500 million for the full year 2026, indicating strong confidence in future growth.
- Strong Sales Growth: In Q1, comparable sales grew by 3.2% and system-wide sales increased by 6.2%, with U.S. Burger King same-store sales rising 5.8%, outperforming the industry average by over 5 percentage points, demonstrating the company's sustained competitive strength in the market.
- Profitability Improvement: Adjusted EPS reached $0.86, up from $0.75 last year, alongside a 10.7% organic AOI growth, reflecting effective strategies in cost control and revenue enhancement.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Management reiterated 2026 targets, including segment G&A of about $600 million to $620 million and $400 million in CapEx, with expectations for Popeyes to return to positive growth in the second half, showcasing confidence in overall business performance.
See More
Significant Stock Price Movements for Multiple Companies
- Arm Holdings Surge: Ahead of its earnings report, Arm Holdings saw a nearly 13% jump on Nasdaq, with UBS analyst raising its 12-month price target from $175 to $245, indicating strong market optimism for its growth potential.
- Healthpeak Properties Strong Performance: The healthcare REIT soared 18% after first-quarter funds from operations and revenue exceeded Wall Street expectations, raising its second-quarter FFO guidance to $1.71 to $1.75, reflecting robust business momentum.
- CDW Stock Decline: CDW shares dropped 19% after reporting disappointing operating income in Q1, with adjusted EPS of $2.28 matching consensus, yet the company reaffirmed its 2026 outlook, raising concerns about future performance.
- Aurora Innovation Partnership: Aurora Innovation's stock rose 9% following a deal to provide driverless technology to Berkshire Hathaway's McLane, which is expected to enhance its competitive edge in the long-haul trucking market.
See More
