← Restaurant Brands International overview

Restaurant Brands International vs The Cheesecake Factory: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

Restaurant Brands International Inc (QSR)

Q3 2026
▲2▼2

Burger King's strong quarter offset by Tim Hortons and Popeyes weakness

  • Burger King US sales surge Burger King's US same-store sales jumped 8.5% in Q2, far above the 3.5% analysts expected, driven by value deals and remodels. This is the strongest growth in years and shows the brand's turnaround is working, which supports QSR's earnings and stock price.

    This is the main positive force behind QSR's results and shows the core brand is accelerating.

  • Tim Hortons Canada stalls Tim Hortons, which brings in about 41% of QSR's operating income, saw Canadian same-store sales rise just 0.1%, missing estimates. Weakness here drags on overall profit and offsets Burger King's gains, keeping the stock from rising on good news.

    This is the biggest drag on QSR's results and explains why the stock fell despite Burger King's strength.

  • Popeyes US sales decline Popeyes US same-store sales fell 5.2% for a fifth straight quarter, with negative systemwide sales. This persistent weakness at a major brand adds uncertainty and weighs on investor confidence, limiting upside from Burger King's success.

    Popeyes' ongoing decline is a key counterweight to the Burger King story and affects QSR's overall growth.

  • Drone delivery pilot with DoorDash Popeyes was named a national partner in DoorDash Air's drone delivery pilot starting in Northern California. If it works, faster delivery could lift Popeyes orders and improve its weak sales trend, though the impact is small for now.

    This is a new potential demand driver for Popeyes, the weakest part of QSR's portfolio.

August 2026
▲2▼2

Burger King's strong quarter offset by Tim Hortons and Popeyes weakness

  • Burger King US sales surge Burger King's US same-store sales jumped 8.5% in Q2, far above the 3.5% analysts expected, driven by value deals and remodels. This is the strongest growth in years and shows the brand's turnaround is working, which supports QSR's earnings and stock price.

    This is the main positive force behind QSR's results and shows the core brand is accelerating.

  • Tim Hortons Canada stalls Tim Hortons, which brings in about 41% of QSR's operating income, saw Canadian same-store sales rise just 0.1%, missing estimates. Weakness here drags on overall profit and offsets Burger King's gains, keeping the stock from rising on good news.

    This is the biggest drag on QSR's results and explains why the stock fell despite Burger King's strength.

  • Popeyes US sales decline Popeyes US same-store sales fell 5.2% for a fifth straight quarter, with negative systemwide sales. This persistent weakness at a major brand adds uncertainty and weighs on investor confidence, limiting upside from Burger King's success.

    Popeyes' ongoing decline is a key counterweight to the Burger King story and affects QSR's overall growth.

  • Drone delivery pilot with DoorDash Popeyes was named a national partner in DoorDash Air's drone delivery pilot starting in Northern California. If it works, faster delivery could lift Popeyes orders and improve its weak sales trend, though the impact is small for now.

    This is a new potential demand driver for Popeyes, the weakest part of QSR's portfolio.

Latest
▲2▼2

Burger King's strong quarter offset by Tim Hortons and Popeyes weakness

  • Burger King US sales surge Burger King's US same-store sales jumped 8.5% in Q2, far above the 3.5% analysts expected, driven by value deals and remodels. This is the strongest growth in years and shows the brand's turnaround is working, which supports QSR's earnings and stock price.

    This is the main positive force behind QSR's results and shows the core brand is accelerating.

  • Tim Hortons Canada stalls Tim Hortons, which brings in about 41% of QSR's operating income, saw Canadian same-store sales rise just 0.1%, missing estimates. Weakness here drags on overall profit and offsets Burger King's gains, keeping the stock from rising on good news.

    This is the biggest drag on QSR's results and explains why the stock fell despite Burger King's strength.

  • Popeyes US sales decline Popeyes US same-store sales fell 5.2% for a fifth straight quarter, with negative systemwide sales. This persistent weakness at a major brand adds uncertainty and weighs on investor confidence, limiting upside from Burger King's success.

    Popeyes' ongoing decline is a key counterweight to the Burger King story and affects QSR's overall growth.

  • Drone delivery pilot with DoorDash Popeyes was named a national partner in DoorDash Air's drone delivery pilot starting in Northern California. If it works, faster delivery could lift Popeyes orders and improve its weak sales trend, though the impact is small for now.

    This is a new potential demand driver for Popeyes, the weakest part of QSR's portfolio.

The Cheesecake Factory (CAKE)

Q3 2026
▲3▼1

Cheesecake Factory's record Q2 and expansion plans drive stock surge

  • Record Q2 results beat expectations Cheesecake Factory reported Q2 revenue above $1 billion for the first time, with adjusted EPS up 24% to $1.44, beating the $1.17 consensus. Comparable sales rose 5.8% on 2.7% traffic growth, and restaurant-level margin hit a decade-high 20%. This strong performance pushed the stock higher.

    This is the core fundamental driver of the stock's recent surge, showing the company's business is performing exceptionally well.

  • Analysts raise earnings estimates and guidance After the Q2 beat, 10 analysts raised their 2026 earnings estimates, lifting the consensus from around $4.01 to $4.47-$4.53 per share. The company also raised its full-year margin improvement guidance to 60 basis points from 25. This boosts investor confidence and supports a higher stock price.

    Analyst upgrades and raised guidance directly influence investor expectations and valuation, pushing the stock up.

  • Expansion plans with up to 26 new restaurants Cheesecake Factory reiterated plans to open up to 26 new restaurants in 2026, including 5-6 Cheesecake Factory locations, aiming for 7% annual unit growth. This expansion, backed by $210 million in capital spending, signals future revenue growth and confidence in the brand.

    Expansion plans indicate future growth potential, which investors reward with a higher stock price.

  • Industry-wide dining foot traffic decline In August, US dining foot traffic fell 2.4% year-over-year due to high gas prices and menu-price inflation. Cheesecake Factory shares slid 3.2% on the news, highlighting a potential headwind for the entire restaurant sector, including CAKE.

    This is a real counterweight showing that broader consumer weakness could pressure CAKE's sales and stock price.

August 2026
▲3▼1

Cheesecake Factory's record Q2 and expansion plans drive stock surge

  • Record Q2 results beat expectations Cheesecake Factory reported Q2 revenue above $1 billion for the first time, with adjusted EPS up 24% to $1.44, beating the $1.17 consensus. Comparable sales rose 5.8% on 2.7% traffic growth, and restaurant-level margin hit a decade-high 20%. This strong performance pushed the stock higher.

    This is the core fundamental driver of the stock's recent surge, showing the company's business is performing exceptionally well.

  • Analysts raise earnings estimates and guidance After the Q2 beat, 10 analysts raised their 2026 earnings estimates, lifting the consensus from around $4.01 to $4.47-$4.53 per share. The company also raised its full-year margin improvement guidance to 60 basis points from 25. This boosts investor confidence and supports a higher stock price.

    Analyst upgrades and raised guidance directly influence investor expectations and valuation, pushing the stock up.

  • Expansion plans with up to 26 new restaurants Cheesecake Factory reiterated plans to open up to 26 new restaurants in 2026, including 5-6 Cheesecake Factory locations, aiming for 7% annual unit growth. This expansion, backed by $210 million in capital spending, signals future revenue growth and confidence in the brand.

    Expansion plans indicate future growth potential, which investors reward with a higher stock price.

  • Industry-wide dining foot traffic decline In August, US dining foot traffic fell 2.4% year-over-year due to high gas prices and menu-price inflation. Cheesecake Factory shares slid 3.2% on the news, highlighting a potential headwind for the entire restaurant sector, including CAKE.

    This is a real counterweight showing that broader consumer weakness could pressure CAKE's sales and stock price.

Latest
▲3▼1

Cheesecake Factory's record Q2 and expansion plans drive stock surge

  • Record Q2 results beat expectations Cheesecake Factory reported Q2 revenue above $1 billion for the first time, with adjusted EPS up 24% to $1.44, beating the $1.17 consensus. Comparable sales rose 5.8% on 2.7% traffic growth, and restaurant-level margin hit a decade-high 20%. This strong performance pushed the stock higher.

    This is the core fundamental driver of the stock's recent surge, showing the company's business is performing exceptionally well.

  • Analysts raise earnings estimates and guidance After the Q2 beat, 10 analysts raised their 2026 earnings estimates, lifting the consensus from around $4.01 to $4.47-$4.53 per share. The company also raised its full-year margin improvement guidance to 60 basis points from 25. This boosts investor confidence and supports a higher stock price.

    Analyst upgrades and raised guidance directly influence investor expectations and valuation, pushing the stock up.

  • Expansion plans with up to 26 new restaurants Cheesecake Factory reiterated plans to open up to 26 new restaurants in 2026, including 5-6 Cheesecake Factory locations, aiming for 7% annual unit growth. This expansion, backed by $210 million in capital spending, signals future revenue growth and confidence in the brand.

    Expansion plans indicate future growth potential, which investors reward with a higher stock price.

  • Industry-wide dining foot traffic decline In August, US dining foot traffic fell 2.4% year-over-year due to high gas prices and menu-price inflation. Cheesecake Factory shares slid 3.2% on the news, highlighting a potential headwind for the entire restaurant sector, including CAKE.

    This is a real counterweight showing that broader consumer weakness could pressure CAKE's sales and stock price.