We recently published a list of the 12 Best Pizza Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ:BJRI) stands against other best pizza stocks to buy according to hedge funds.
Overview of the Pizza and Frozen Pizza Market
Pizza is one of the most popular foods in North America. According to the Global Pizza Analysis Report 2024 released by Research and Markets, the global pizza market size was valued at around $148.6 billion in 2023. It is expected to reach $222.5 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.59% between 2023 and 2032. The primary reasons behind this growth are the shifting consumer dietary patterns influenced by rapid westernization, the increasing popularity of online pizza ordering platforms, and the introduction and popularization of healthier product variants, such as gluten-free, vegan, and low-calorie pizza options.
Pizza Today surveyed 748 pizza business owners from across the US to develop the Pizza Industry Trends Report 2024. The report showed that online ordering was becoming the most popular norm in the industry, with 24.91% of respondents investing to upgrade their online ordering technology. In addition, pizzeria owners are directing around 78% of their advertising budgets to social media apps to boost growth and prominence. Around 65% of business owners surveyed showed signs of optimism regarding their annual sales, expecting growth in the next 12 months.
Frozen pizzas are also a significant force in the industry due to their ease of availability, affordability, and convenience. According to Grand View Research, the US frozen pizza market was valued at $6.62 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% between 2023 and 2030. Consumers are increasingly shifting to this variety due to hectic lifestyles and other factors such as increased disposable income and a rise in the standard of living.
In addition, frozen pizzas are becoming popular because they offer the same varieties as fresh pizza options, such as cheese pizza, meat pizza, veggie pizza, and more. Gluten-free frozen pizzas are also increasing in popularity due to the growing health consciousness among consumers and the increasing prevalence of gluten allergies, celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and other health reasons. The gluten-free segment is expected to grow with the fastest CAGR among all pizza categories, increasing by 9.2% between 2023 and 2030.
Trends in the Pizza Market
Chicken dominated the toppings segment in the pizza market, with the highest share of more than 30% in 2022, according to statistics by Grand View Research. Companies offering chicken produce and toppings are benefitting from this trend. The popularity of chicken topping has also been supported by the increasing preference for healthier eating and the growth of fast-casual restaurants. However, the fastest growing segment remains to be bacon. The bacon segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% between 2023 and 2030.
The regular/restaurant-style pizza segment dominated the market with the highest share, 55%, as of 2022. Furthermore, supermarkets and hypermarkets are the most prominent distribution channels for the pizza market. They had the highest share, more than 30%, in 2022. The primary reason behind this trend is the increasing convenience and variety offered by these channels.
Our Methodology
We sifted through stock screeners, online rankings, and ETFs to compile a list of 30 pizza stocks. We also considered cheese and flour stocks. We then selected the top 12 stocks most popular among elite hedge funds. We sourced hedge fund data from Insider Monkey’s database. The stocks are sorted in ascending order of the number of hedge fund holders that have stakes in them as of fiscal Q3 2024.
Why do we care about what hedge funds do? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
A chef creating a specialty appetizer in an open kitchen.
BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ:BJRI)
Hedge Fund Holders: 18
BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ:BJRI) owns and operates casual dining restaurants, including BJ’s Pizza, BJ’s Restaurant and Brewery, and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. The company offers pizza, beer, appetizers, and other food items. Its original deep-dish pizza and the Pizookie dessert are popular offerings. The company owns and operates around 200 casual dining restaurants across 30 US states.
BJ’s Restaurants, Inc., (NASDAQ:BJRI) is operating from a position of relative strength. Its brands serve more than a million guests a week. The company generated annual sales of more than $1.3 billion and free cash flow from operations of more than $100 million.
The company’s operations thus show optimistic signs. Its total revenue increased to $325.7 million in fiscal Q3 2024, experiencing a 2.2% increase compared to last year. Its fiscal Q3 sales also increased by 1.7%. The company’s sales-driving initiatives grew its sales, market share, and traffic in fiscal Q3 2024. BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:BJRI) capital allocation strategy prioritizes high-return investments, including a mix of new restaurant growth and remodels. It opened two new restaurants in fiscal Q3 2024 and has plans to continue this growth in fiscal 2025.
Overall, BJRI ranks 9th on our list of the 12 best pizza stocks to buy according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential of pizza stocks, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BJRI but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
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