Market Minute: Bite-Size Earnings: QSR, YUM, PLTO

Restaurant Brands (QSR) is lower premarket after it missed 3Q estimates on the top and bottom line with EPS of $0.93 and revenue of $2.29 billion. Comparable sales barely grew at 0.3% but were affected by the acquisition completion of Popeyes China and Carrols Restaurant Group. Domestically, Tim Horton’s led the way for growth, while Burger King slumped despite major investments in promoting the brand since 2022. 

Yum! Brands (YUM) is slightly up in the premarket despite also missing on 3Q estimates. EPS were $1.37 and revenue was $1.83 billion, with worldwide system sales up 1%. The company says consumers are still feeling pressure. Taco Bell delivered the strongest performance with system sales up 5% year-over-year. KFC International grew units by 9% in the quarter across 64 countries. 

Chicago’s own Portillo’s (PTLO) is about unchanged after a mixed 3Q report, with GAAP EPS of $0.11 beating estimates and revenue of $178.3 million missing. Same-restaurant sales fell 0.9%, citing commodity inflation, wage increases, and lower visitors. However, average check was higher. CEO Michael Osanloo says, “we’re profitable, we’re controlling the levers that we can, and we’re positioned for lasting, long-term growth.”