In this article, we will list the 5 high-growth restaurant stocks for 2026. Please visit 8 High-Growth Restaurant Stocks for 2026 if you would like to see the extended list and the methodology behind it.
5. Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR)
Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR) is among the 8 High-Growth Restaurant Stocks for 2026. On March 2, Truist Securities lifted the price target on Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR) to $87, up from $83, and maintained a Buy rating. The firm appeared more positive on the company’s long-term growth potential after the Investor Day presentation.
While highlighting Burger King U.S.’s turnaround pace, Truist Securities noted a clear plan for new store expansion in Burger King China through a new joint-venture partner and sustained momentum in Tim Hortons Canada. What’s interesting is that Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR) is making its business model more efficient by becoming investment-grade and shifting away from M&A. According to the firm, the company aims to return significant cash to its shareholders, nearly 4.6% of its market capitalization in 2026.
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A day later, Brian Harbour from Morgan Stanley slightly increased the price target on Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR) to $78 from $77 and reiterated an Equal Weight rating. As reported by TheFly, this followed the firm’s model revision to better reflect the updates presented at the investor day. Morgan Stanley still considers this a show-me story, even as it gains some credibility with algorithms.
Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR), incorporated in 1954, is a Florida-based quick service restaurant company operating through six segments: Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Firehouse Subs, International, and Restaurant Holdings.
4. Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE:SHAK)
Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE:SHAK) is among the 8 High-Growth Restaurant Stocks for 2026. On March 11, Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE:SHAK) participated in the UBS Global Consumer and Retail Conference, outlining its strategic initiatives and vision. Featuring the company’s CEO, Rob Lynch, the presentation covered the company’s solid performance and dedication to operational excellence and long-term growth. Although macroeconomic headwinds exist, the company remains committed to solidifying its footprint.
With a plan to launch a loyalty program by the year-end, Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE:SHAK) targets 1,500+ company-operated Shacks in the long term. Additionally, menu changes are in line as well to include new limited-time offers and evergreen items. The company’s one-three-five promotion was also highlighted during the conference, after which the traffic on the app was boosted by more than 50%.
Looking ahead, Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE:SHAK) expects low single-digit comparable growth and plans a marketing run rate in the range of 2.5% to 3%. The company is set to open 55-60 new Shacks this year, which is higher than 45 Shacks in 2025. As stated by CEO Lynch,
“We’re gonna open up 55-60 this year. That’ll obviously be the most ever. It’s just gonna keep going because we also invested G&A in building out that capability.”
Previously, on March 9, Wolfe Research started coverage on Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE:SHAK) with an Outperform rating and a $118 price target. The firm believes that offers, loyalty programs, and enhanced media efforts will contribute positively to the near-term comparable sales.
Shake Shack Inc. (NYSE:SHAK) is a New York-based company owning and operating Shake Shack restaurants (Shacks). Founded in 2001, the Shacks offer burgers, hot dogs, fries, shakes, frozen custard, and other products.
3. Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (NASDAQ:DPZ)
Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (NASDAQ:DPZ) is among the 8 High-Growth Restaurant Stocks for 2026. As of March 20, Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (NASDAQ:DPZ) has a ‘Buy’ or equivalent rating from more than half of the analysts covering the stock. While the price target ranges from $370 to $601, the median price target of $489 implies an upside potential of 32.49%. Among the firms bullish on the stock is UBS, which reaffirmed a Buy rating and a price target of $500 on the company on February 24 after the Q4 FY2025 results.
In the fourth quarter, Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (NASDAQ:DPZ) reported higher-than-forecast US same-store sales, driven by favorable transaction growth. The company remains committed to sustained market share gains while providing a positive outlook for this year.
For 2026, Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (NASDAQ:DPZ) targets a 3% US same-store sales growth and 1-2% international same-store sales growth, in addition to nearly 8% operating income growth. This will be driven by approximately 6% growth in global retail sales. The company anticipates a stronger first half versus the second one due to the timing of strategic initiatives, particularly sales drivers.
Domino’s Pizza, Inc. (NASDAQ:DPZ) is a Michigan-based pizza company operating through three segments: U.S. Stores, International Franchise, and Supply Chain. Founded in 1960, the company also provides bread products, wings, pasta, soft drinks, and desserts.
2. Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT)
Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) is among the 8 High-Growth Restaurant Stocks for 2026. On March 16, JPMorgan elevated the price target on Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) to $190 from $187 and reaffirmed an Overweight rating on the stock. According to the firm, the company is a strong near-term investment opportunity as the comparable sales pace is likely to remain steady due to new product platform upgrades.
JPMorgan believes Chili’s brand is “generating a flywheel of success,” resulting in reinvestments in the company’s current platform, with a roadmap to a stable remodel program and a return to unit growth, TheFly reported.
Wolfe Research, too, is confident in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) even amid the stock’s merely 3.94% surge over the past six months. The firm started coverage with an Outperform rating and a $184 price target on March 9. The firm attributed the company’s Chili’s brand performance as the major factor behind its optimism, saying that the brand has achieved both value credibility and cultural resonance. Wolfe Research also highlighted traffic outperformance at the restaurant chain, emphasizing the durability of these gains, which it believes is underestimated by the market.
Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) is a Texas-based company owning and operating casual dining restaurants. Founded in 1975, the company manages Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant brands.
1. Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS)
Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS) is among the 8 High-Growth Restaurant Stocks for 2026. On March 13, Stifel reiterated its Buy rating and $75 price target on Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS). This follows the firm’s financial model update to better reflect the company’s 10-K filing.
Back on March 9, Piper Sandler trimmed its price target on Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS) to $59 from $63 and maintained a Neutral rating. According to the firm, the company’s strong approach to development lays the foundation for potential financial leverage, alongside idiosyncratic risks absent in some fast-casual unit-growth peers.
Brian Mullan, an analyst at Piper Sandler, pointed to the company’s nearly 16% YTD decline, saying that this comes even after solid results and robust guidance. What contributes to the weak performance is the planned product launches by the competitors, Mullan added. While examining the underlying drivers behind Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS)’s development strategy, the firm noted that the underperformance cannot be directly linked to the areas covered in its review.
Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS) is an Arizona-based company that operates and franchises drive-thru shops. Incorporated in 1992, the company operates through two segments: Company-Operated Shops and Franchising and Other.
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