- Chain restaurants recorded their strongest pace of same-store sales in six years during January at 6.1%, according to data from Black Box Intelligence.
- An easier weather compare, $2 gas, and a more stable economic backdrop were factors.
- Traffic was up 2.4% during the month.
- The sales lift was delivered without much help from McDonald's which saw a marginal +0.4% comp gain.
- Comp sales in the Midwest improved 11.2% after the region had a much easier time with weather during January than a year ago.
- Chains with a large focus in the Midwest include Steak 'n Shake (NYSE:BH-OLD), Jimmy John's, Culvers, and Bob Evans (NASDAQ:BOBE).
- Restaurant stocks: CAKE, CBRL, CMG, DPZ, DRI, EAT, JACK, PNRA, RRGB, RT, SBUX, SONC, WEN, BWLD, BDL, NATH, LUB, CHUY, BLMN, PZZA, TXRH, DENN, KKD, BBRG, DFRG, BOBE, RUTH, IRG, DIN, HABT, NDLS, PLKI, LOCO, YUM, KKD, TAST, GTIM, FRSH, COSI, FRS, PBPB, FRGI, QSR, CBRL, BLMN, ZOES.