Latest news with #MichelleKorsmo
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
National Restaurant Association Sees Continued Growth and Success by Future-proofing What Makes the Restaurant Experience Unforgettable
President & CEO Michelle Korsmo calls on restaurant operators to focus on the people, consistency and reliability that keep consumers coming to restaurants CHICAGO, May 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Restaurants will continue to thrive by empowering a future-ready workforce and embracing technology to unleash breakthrough efficiency in a rapidly changing and competitive marketplace. This was the message of National Restaurant Association President & CEO Michelle Korsmo today during her keynote address delivered to attendees at the annual National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. Korsmo emphasized to the owners, operators, and suppliers present that the path forward requires investing in people and adopting technologies that enhance the restaurant experience. "We should celebrate the nearly 16 million people who make up this workforce. The competition for talent is fierce. It's not just about filling jobs; it's about inspiring people to choose this industry, to see it as a career that offers purpose and fulfillment," said Korsmo during her remarks. Empowering a Future-Ready WorkforceAccording to the National Restaurant Association's 2025 State of the Restaurant Industry report, 60 percent of food service employees are under 35. This generation craves more than just a paycheck. They're looking for a community and workplaces that value developing the potential in their teams, provide flexibility, and use technology to improve the employee and customer experience. Korsmo highlighted the restaurant industry's unique role as both a training ground and a launchpad for meaningful careers. She pointed to programs like ProStart®, where high school students gain hands-on culinary and business experience that prepares them to be the next generation of industry leaders. Unleashing Breakthrough Efficiency "Gone are the days when restaurant operators could simply balance the checkbook at the end of the month to know if they were profitable. Today, meeting the demands of the modern restaurant environment requires a whole new level of insights and tools. That means tighter control over inventory, smarter purchasing decisions, and more strategic supply chain management. It also means managing labor costs more effectively, with better scheduling, predictive tools, and automation that enhances operations, rather than replacing people," said Korsmo. Leveraging technology is key, and Korsmo noted that 83 percent of restaurant operators say that using technology provides a clear competitive advantage and 4 in 10 say their tech investments have directly improved overall customer satisfaction. As labor and food costs continue to rise, Korsmo noted, improving efficiency can be the difference between struggling and staying profitable. Korsmo closed her remarks by emphasizing that consumers continue to love the restaurant experience and are choosing to spend their discretionary dollars in restaurants – with sales projected to reach $1.5 trillion this year and strong demand across every segment of the industry. Korsmo encouraged restaurant operators to get involved and let their voices be heard, noting that there is no better advocate for the restaurant industry. Read Korsmo's full remarks here. About the National Restaurant AssociationFounded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises more than 1 million restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 15.7 million employees. Together with 52 State Associations, we are a network of professional organizations dedicated to serving every restaurant through advocacy, education, and food safety. We sponsor the industry's largest trade show (National Restaurant Association Show); leading food safety training and certification program (ServSafe); unique career-building high school program (the NRAEF's ProStart). For more information, visit and find @WeRRestaurants on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE National Restaurant Association Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) The Best Restaurant Stock to Buy According to Hedge Funds?
We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Restaurant Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) stands against the other best restaurant stocks. Restaurant stocks are businesses that own, run, and franchise full-service restaurants that sell prepared food and drinks at retail. According to estimates from the National Restaurant Association, restaurant sales in the United States reached an all-time high of $1.1 trillion in 2024. The industry's sales exceeded $1 trillion for the first time ever. According to the group, the industry's workforce was projected to go up by 200,000 jobs in 2024, bringing its total employment to just under 16 million by the end of the year. Restaurants are facing increased competition as well as greater operating expenses, especially labor costs. Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association, stated: 'With more than $1 trillion in sales expected this year, the state of the restaurant industry is strong thanks to the agility of its operators and employees,' 'As our report shows, restaurants are finding ways to adapt to the challenges of increased food costs and supply chain disruption. Restaurants have responded well to customers' desire to have more opportunities to enjoy restaurant meals, which continues to grow sales, create employment opportunities, and foster a strong sense of community.' Nonetheless, as the macro economy continues to exhibit signs of inflation, many diners are having a tough time and are spending carefully. Furthermore, labor shortages, cost inflation, and an unstable economy that may reduce demand are issues that all restaurants are dealing with. Not every restaurant will do well in this volatile setting. However, the most remarkable financial resilience should be shown by companies that offer a strong value proposition to customers and keep a stable moat over the coming years. As per the National Restaurant Association's research report, the restaurant business in the United States is expected to increase further in 2025, with sales expected to exceed $1.5 trillion. Employment is predicted to jump by 200,000, bringing the total workforce to 15.9 million. Demand from customers is still strong; 90% of adults claim they like eating out because of the different tastes and experiences that restaurants provide. Value is a top priority, as 47% of operators want to launch new sales or promotions to draw clients. However, many customers value experience more than price: 47% of limited-service diners and 64% of full-service diners place a higher value on dining experiences than on prices. On-premises traffic is a primary strategic priority, with 90% of fine dining and 87% of casual dining operators prioritizing it over off-premises sales. Despite their willingness to pay, many consumers say they would eat out more often if they had more money to spend. As operators strike a balance between innovation, price, and experience to foster loyalty and growth, these dynamics show cautious optimism. KPMG revealed not only the challenges but also major trends that will impact the restaurant business this year, based on views from senior executives. The restaurant business expects to grow in 2025 due to the introduction of new products and the opening of more outlets. However, rising labor and food costs, as well as inflationary fears, pose serious problems, especially for franchisees. Operators are putting a high priority on digital enablement to improve customer conversion, maximize operations, and modify menus to accommodate changing customer preferences to remain competitive. Industry dynamics are still being shaped by the growing dependence on third-party ordering and delivery platforms. Lastly, it is essential to keep up a positive workplace culture to attract and keep talent. A chef plating up a wide variety of dishes for a restaurant chain. For this article, we sifted through the online rankings to form an initial list of the 20 Restaurant Stocks. From the resultant dataset, we chose 12 stocks with the highest number of hedge fund investors, using Insider Monkey's database of 1009 hedge funds in Q4 2024 to gauge hedge fund sentiment for stocks. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter's strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here). Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 83 Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) is the largest fast-casual restaurant chain in the United States, with a projected systemwide sales of $11.3 billion by 2024. The firm has 3,726 locations across the US by the end of 2024, with a smaller presence in Canada, the UK, France, and Germany. The restaurant offers tacos, quesadillas, burritos, burrito bowls, and beverages. Delivery fees and restaurant sales provide all of the company's income. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG)'s recent quarter saw strong growth, with sales rising more than 6% year over year to $2.9 billion, even if comparable sales slightly decreased by 0.4%. Digital sales continued to play an important role, accounting for 35.4% of total revenue and emphasizing the company's digital strategy. The quarter saw the debut of 57 new restaurants, including 48 Chipotle lanes that facilitate quick digital order pickup, showing the continued strength of expansion efforts. The introduction of Chipotle Honey Chicken proved to be the company's most successful limited-time offer to date. In terms of international expansion, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) has opened five locations in the Middle East and formed a new development partnership in Mexico. Fortune has named the company one of the most admired in the world, praising its outstanding benefits package, work environment, and dedication to professional development. Overall, CMG ranks 2nd on our list of the Best Restaurant Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. While we acknowledge the potential of CMG as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CMG but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this . READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) The Best Restaurant Stock to Buy According to Hedge Funds?
We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Restaurant Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) stands against the other best restaurant stocks. Restaurant stocks are businesses that own, run, and franchise full-service restaurants that sell prepared food and drinks at retail. According to estimates from the National Restaurant Association, restaurant sales in the United States reached an all-time high of $1.1 trillion in 2024. The industry's sales exceeded $1 trillion for the first time ever. According to the group, the industry's workforce was projected to go up by 200,000 jobs in 2024, bringing its total employment to just under 16 million by the end of the year. Restaurants are facing increased competition as well as greater operating expenses, especially labor costs. Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association, stated: 'With more than $1 trillion in sales expected this year, the state of the restaurant industry is strong thanks to the agility of its operators and employees,' 'As our report shows, restaurants are finding ways to adapt to the challenges of increased food costs and supply chain disruption. Restaurants have responded well to customers' desire to have more opportunities to enjoy restaurant meals, which continues to grow sales, create employment opportunities, and foster a strong sense of community.' Nonetheless, as the macro economy continues to exhibit signs of inflation, many diners are having a tough time and are spending carefully. Furthermore, labor shortages, cost inflation, and an unstable economy that may reduce demand are issues that all restaurants are dealing with. Not every restaurant will do well in this volatile setting. However, the most remarkable financial resilience should be shown by companies that offer a strong value proposition to customers and keep a stable moat over the coming years. As per the National Restaurant Association's research report, the restaurant business in the United States is expected to increase further in 2025, with sales expected to exceed $1.5 trillion. Employment is predicted to jump by 200,000, bringing the total workforce to 15.9 million. Demand from customers is still strong; 90% of adults claim they like eating out because of the different tastes and experiences that restaurants provide. Value is a top priority, as 47% of operators want to launch new sales or promotions to draw clients. However, many customers value experience more than price: 47% of limited-service diners and 64% of full-service diners place a higher value on dining experiences than on prices. On-premises traffic is a primary strategic priority, with 90% of fine dining and 87% of casual dining operators prioritizing it over off-premises sales. Despite their willingness to pay, many consumers say they would eat out more often if they had more money to spend. As operators strike a balance between innovation, price, and experience to foster loyalty and growth, these dynamics show cautious optimism. KPMG revealed not only the challenges but also major trends that will impact the restaurant business this year, based on views from senior executives. The restaurant business expects to grow in 2025 due to the introduction of new products and the opening of more outlets. However, rising labor and food costs, as well as inflationary fears, pose serious problems, especially for franchisees. Operators are putting a high priority on digital enablement to improve customer conversion, maximize operations, and modify menus to accommodate changing customer preferences to remain competitive. Industry dynamics are still being shaped by the growing dependence on third-party ordering and delivery platforms. Lastly, it is essential to keep up a positive workplace culture to attract and keep talent. A barista pouring a freshly brewed cup of coffee from a high-end espresso machine. For this article, we sifted through the online rankings to form an initial list of the 20 Restaurant Stocks. From the resultant dataset, we chose 12 stocks with the highest number of hedge fund investors, using Insider Monkey's database of 1009 hedge funds in Q4 2024 to gauge hedge fund sentiment for stocks. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter's strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here). Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 84 Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) is one of the most well-known restaurant brands in the world. As of the end of fiscal 2024, it had over 40,000 locations in more than 80 countries. The company is divided into three business segments: channel development (grocery and ready-to-drink beverages), international markets, and North America. Sales of equipment and products to license partners, ready-to-drink beverages, packaged coffee, single-serve items, and company-operated outlets are the main sources of income for the coffee business. The stock jumped more than 6% YTD, making it the Best Restaurant Stock. In line with the 'Back to Starbucks' concept of the company's new CEO, Brian Niccol, Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) business strategy will probably undergo a significant adjustment. The company continues to operate in a global category of one, with $36 billion in revenue in 2024, surpassing its nearest global competitor, Inspire Brands' Dunkin' Donuts, by a factor of three globally and a factor of two in its home market of the United States. In the recent quarter, Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) has shown excellent operational and customer-focused momentum in North America. Partner engagement is increasing, and employee turnover is falling to less than 50%, both of which improve the consumer experience. The firm has resumed positive comparative sales and transaction growth in Canada, indicating a turnaround and room for expansion. Algorithm-driven technology and labor deployment tactics were used in a successful pilot project that improved service speed and connection, reducing in-cafe wait times by two minutes and boosting transactions. In addition to stabilizing traffic from non-Starbucks Rewards members and a decline in consumer complaints regarding wait times, brand sentiment and market share are increasing. Eight of the top ten worldwide markets reported flat or positive comparable sales, with the UK, Middle East, and Japan topping the improvements, showing that the global recovery is also underway. Overall, SBUX ranks 1st on our list of the Best Restaurant Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. While we acknowledge the potential of SBUX as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than SBUX but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this . READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
McDonald's Corporation (MCD): Among the Best Restaurant Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds
We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Restaurant Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) stands against the other best restaurant stocks. Restaurant stocks are businesses that own, run, and franchise full-service restaurants that sell prepared food and drinks at retail. According to estimates from the National Restaurant Association, restaurant sales in the United States reached an all-time high of $1.1 trillion in 2024. The industry's sales exceeded $1 trillion for the first time ever. According to the group, the industry's workforce was projected to go up by 200,000 jobs in 2024, bringing its total employment to just under 16 million by the end of the year. Restaurants are facing increased competition as well as greater operating expenses, especially labor costs. Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association, stated: 'With more than $1 trillion in sales expected this year, the state of the restaurant industry is strong thanks to the agility of its operators and employees,' 'As our report shows, restaurants are finding ways to adapt to the challenges of increased food costs and supply chain disruption. Restaurants have responded well to customers' desire to have more opportunities to enjoy restaurant meals, which continues to grow sales, create employment opportunities, and foster a strong sense of community.' Nonetheless, as the macro economy continues to exhibit signs of inflation, many diners are having a tough time and are spending carefully. Furthermore, labor shortages, cost inflation, and an unstable economy that may reduce demand are issues that all restaurants are dealing with. Not every restaurant will do well in this volatile setting. However, the most remarkable financial resilience should be shown by companies that offer a strong value proposition to customers and keep a stable moat over the coming years. As per the National Restaurant Association's research report, the restaurant business in the United States is expected to increase further in 2025, with sales expected to exceed $1.5 trillion. Employment is predicted to jump by 200,000, bringing the total workforce to 15.9 million. Demand from customers is still strong; 90% of adults claim they like eating out because of the different tastes and experiences that restaurants provide. Value is a top priority, as 47% of operators want to launch new sales or promotions to draw clients. However, many customers value experience more than price: 47% of limited-service diners and 64% of full-service diners place a higher value on dining experiences than on prices. On-premises traffic is a primary strategic priority, with 90% of fine dining and 87% of casual dining operators prioritizing it over off-premises sales. Despite their willingness to pay, many consumers say they would eat out more often if they had more money to spend. As operators strike a balance between innovation, price, and experience to foster loyalty and growth, these dynamics show cautious optimism. KPMG revealed not only the challenges but also major trends that will impact the restaurant business this year, based on views from senior executives. The restaurant business expects to grow in 2025 due to the introduction of new products and the opening of more outlets. However, rising labor and food costs, as well as inflationary fears, pose serious problems, especially for franchisees. Operators are putting a high priority on digital enablement to improve customer conversion, maximize operations, and modify menus to accommodate changing customer preferences to remain competitive. Industry dynamics are still being shaped by the growing dependence on third-party ordering and delivery platforms. Lastly, it is essential to keep up a positive workplace culture to attract and keep talent. A cook in a busy kitchen assembling cheeseburgers for orders. For this article, we sifted through the online rankings to form an initial list of the 20 Restaurant Stocks. From the resultant dataset, we chose 12 stocks with the highest number of hedge fund investors, using Insider Monkey's database of 1009 hedge funds in Q4 2024 to gauge hedge fund sentiment for stocks. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter's strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here). Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 67 McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is the world's largest restaurant owner-operator, with over 43,000 locations and 115 markets and system sales of $131 billion in 2024. The firm invented the franchise model and expanded its global presence by forming alliances with master franchise partners and independent restaurant franchisees. The majority of the company's revenue comes from company-run stores across its three primary segments: the United States, internationally operated markets, and worldwide developmental/licensed markets. Franchise royalties and leasing payments account for around 60% of the company's total revenue. The stock grew by more than 6% YTD, making it one of the Best Restaurant Stocks. McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) released first-quarter earnings that showed a challenging operating environment for quick-service restaurants. Global comparable sales declined 1% due to Leap Day last year as well as lower guest counts in the United States, which saw a 3.6% decrease in comparable sales. Nonetheless, McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) strategy highlights its competitive advantages using the 'MCD' framework, which includes core menu development, relevant marketing, and the four D's: development, delivery, drive-thru, and digital. The company has recently been highlighting its value offerings in the face of a difficult environment for consumer spending by using its scale-driven cost advantage. Andrew Strelzik, an analyst at BMO Capital, increased his price objective for McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) from $340 to $345 while maintaining an Outperform rating for the company's stock. In a research note, the analyst informs investors that the company's Q1 results were difficult as anticipated since favorable G&A and tax rates counterbalanced weaker comps and margin pressure. According to the company, the management also observed that middle-class consumers were feeling more pressured by consumers, but that anti-American attitude had no effect. Overall, MCD ranks 3rd on our list of the Best Restaurant Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. While we acknowledge the potential of MCD as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than MCD but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this . READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. 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Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CAVA Group, Inc. (CAVA): One of the Best Restaurant Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds
We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Restaurant Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where CAVA Group, Inc. (NYSE:CAVA) stands against the other best restaurant stocks. Restaurant stocks are businesses that own, run, and franchise full-service restaurants that sell prepared food and drinks at retail. According to estimates from the National Restaurant Association, restaurant sales in the United States reached an all-time high of $1.1 trillion in 2024. The industry's sales exceeded $1 trillion for the first time ever. According to the group, the industry's workforce was projected to go up by 200,000 jobs in 2024, bringing its total employment to just under 16 million by the end of the year. Restaurants are facing increased competition as well as greater operating expenses, especially labor costs. Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association, stated: 'With more than $1 trillion in sales expected this year, the state of the restaurant industry is strong thanks to the agility of its operators and employees,' 'As our report shows, restaurants are finding ways to adapt to the challenges of increased food costs and supply chain disruption. Restaurants have responded well to customers' desire to have more opportunities to enjoy restaurant meals, which continues to grow sales, create employment opportunities, and foster a strong sense of community.' Nonetheless, as the macro economy continues to exhibit signs of inflation, many diners are having a tough time and are spending carefully. Furthermore, labor shortages, cost inflation, and an unstable economy that may reduce demand are issues that all restaurants are dealing with. Not every restaurant will do well in this volatile setting. However, the most remarkable financial resilience should be shown by companies that offer a strong value proposition to customers and keep a stable moat over the coming years. As per the National Restaurant Association's research report, the restaurant business in the United States is expected to increase further in 2025, with sales expected to exceed $1.5 trillion. Employment is predicted to jump by 200,000, bringing the total workforce to 15.9 million. Demand from customers is still strong; 90% of adults claim they like eating out because of the different tastes and experiences that restaurants provide. Value is a top priority, as 47% of operators want to launch new sales or promotions to draw clients. However, many customers value experience more than price: 47% of limited-service diners and 64% of full-service diners place a higher value on dining experiences than on prices. On-premises traffic is a primary strategic priority, with 90% of fine dining and 87% of casual dining operators prioritizing it over off-premises sales. Despite their willingness to pay, many consumers say they would eat out more often if they had more money to spend. As operators strike a balance between innovation, price, and experience to foster loyalty and growth, these dynamics show cautious optimism. KPMG revealed not only the challenges but also major trends that will impact the restaurant business this year, based on views from senior executives. The restaurant business expects to grow in 2025 due to the introduction of new products and the opening of more outlets. However, rising labor and food costs, as well as inflationary fears, pose serious problems, especially for franchisees. Operators are putting a high priority on digital enablement to improve customer conversion, maximize operations, and modify menus to accommodate changing customer preferences to remain competitive. Industry dynamics are still being shaped by the growing dependence on third-party ordering and delivery platforms. Lastly, it is essential to keep up a positive workplace culture to attract and keep talent. A close-up image of a colorful salad platter with toppings and dressings. For this article, we sifted through the online rankings to form an initial list of the 20 Restaurant Stocks. From the resultant dataset, we chose 12 stocks with the highest number of hedge fund investors, using Insider Monkey's database of 1009 hedge funds in Q4 2024 to gauge hedge fund sentiment for stocks. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter's strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here). Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 47 CAVA Group, Inc. (NYSE:CAVA) owns and operates a restaurant business. It is the brand that defines the Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant genre, combining healthy cuisine with strong, satisfying flavors on a large scale. The company produces its dips, spreads, and dressings at one location and sells them in supermarkets. CAVA and Zoes Kitchen are the two reportable segments that run the business. The CAVA segment accounts for the majority of the company's revenue. Important growth factors include menu additions like steak that have effectively attracted more customers, and an improved rewards program meant to promote connection and return business. The low cost of CAVA Group, Inc. (NYSE:CAVA) remains a major advantage in the face of broader economic restraints, attracting cost-conscious consumers, which makes it one of the Best Restaurant Stocks. In Q4 of 2024, a remarkable 28% YoY revenue rise to $225.1 million and the 21.2% same-restaurant sales for the firm show CAVA Group, Inc. (NYSE:CAVA)'s strong momentum. The EPS of $0.05 fell short of the $0.07 expert average, but it was still stronger than the year before. The company plans to open 62-66 more locations in 2025 and is confirming its commitment to expanding its fast-casual Mediterranean style by opening 15 more restaurants in Q4. Overall, CAVA ranks 6th on our list of the Best Restaurant Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. While we acknowledge the potential of CAVA as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. There is an AI stock that went up since the beginning of 2025, while popular AI stocks lost around 25%. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CAVA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about this . READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
