Let’s dig into the relative performance of Shake Shack (NYSE: SHAK) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q4 modern fast food earnings season.

Modern fast food is a relatively newer category representing a middle ground between traditional fast food and sit-down restaurants. These establishments feature an expanded menu selection priced above traditional fast food options, often incorporating fresher and cleaner ingredients to serve customers prioritizing quality. These eateries are capitalizing on the perception that your drive-through burger and fries joint is detrimental to your health because of inferior ingredients.

The 6 modern fast food stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q4. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

While some modern fast food stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 1.1% since the latest earnings results.

Shake Shack (NYSE: SHAK)

Started as a hot dog cart in New York City's Madison Square Park, Shake Shack (NYSE: SHAK) is a fast-food restaurant known for its burgers and milkshakes.

Shake Shack reported revenues of $400.5 million, up 21.9% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but revenue in line with analysts’ estimates.

Shake Shack pulled off the fastest revenue growth of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is up 4.9% since reporting and currently trades at $96.62.

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

Best Q4: CAVA (NYSE: CAVA)

Starting from a single Washington, D.C. location, CAVA (NYSE: CAVA) operates a fast-casual restaurant chain offering customizable Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

CAVA reported revenues of $275 million, up 20.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2.4%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates.

CAVA scored the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 17.5% since reporting. It currently trades at $79.67.

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

Weakest Q4: Sweetgreen (NYSE: SG)

Founded in 2007 by three Georgetown University alum, Sweetgreen (NYSE: SG) is a casual quick service chain known for its healthy salads and bowls.

Sweetgreen reported revenues of $155.2 million, down 3.5% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2.3%. It was a slower quarter as it posted full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Sweetgreen delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 7.2% since the results and currently trades at $5.70.

Read our full analysis of Sweetgreen’s results here.

Wingstop (NASDAQ: WING)

The passion project of two chicken wing aficionados in Texas, Wingstop (NASDAQ: WING) is a popular fast-food chain known for its flavorful and crispy chicken wings offered in a variety of sauces and seasonings.

Wingstop reported revenues of $175.7 million, up 8.6% year on year. This print came in 1.2% below analysts' expectations. More broadly, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced a solid beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 5.6% since reporting and currently trades at $237.62.

Read our full, actionable report on Wingstop here, it’s free.

Chipotle (NYSE: CMG)

Born from a desire to offer quick meals with fresh, flavorful ingredients, Chipotle (NYSE: CMG) is a fast-food chain known for its healthy, Mexican-inspired cuisine and customizable dishes.

Chipotle reported revenues of $2.98 billion, up 4.9% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 0.6%. It was a strong quarter as it also produced same-store sales in line with analysts’ estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 5.1% since reporting and currently trades at $37.17.

Read our full, actionable report on Chipotle here, it’s free.

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