YUM - Restaurant stocks move higher after powerhouse quarter from Yum Brands

Restaurant stocks are having a strong day after earnings from Yum Brands (YUM +6.0%) and Wingstop (WING +6.3%) impressed. Despite all the noise about commodity and labor inflation, Yum Brands saw improved margins across Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC on sales leverage and higher pricing. Notable gainers in the sector include Noodles (NDLS +4.3%), Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (RRGB +3.5%), Kura Sushi (KRUS +8.0%), Brinker International (EAT +3.6%) and Crack Barrel Old Country Store (CBRL +2.6%). A development to watch for higher-end, dine-in chains is the decision by Union Square Hospitality Group to require indoor diners and employees at the company's full-service restaurants to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Union Square Hospitality is owned by Danny Meyer, who also founded Shake Shack (SHAK +2.2%). Check out what Yum Brands said on its earnings call about post-vaccination traffic trends.

For further details see:

Restaurant stocks move higher after powerhouse quarter from Yum Brands