Will Slabaugh

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) reported its Q1:17 results slightly below expectations. Stephens’ Will Slabaugh maintains an Equal-Weight rating on the company, with a price target of $58. Q1 Takeaways Starbucks reported same-store sales of 3 percent for the Americas, below the consensus...

McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD) reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and global comps, as double-digit growth in foundational markets offset tough domestic environment. Print Recap Here is a gist of McDonald’s fourth-quarter results: Q4 EPS at $1.44 versus estimated $...

Stephens said in a note released on Friday that it likes Papa John's Int'l, Inc (NASDAQ: PZZA) for its international opportunity and profit and loss leverage in an improving economy. The firm also said it would become more constructive on Wingstop Inc (NASDAQ: WING) on a pullback. Consumer...

Stephens maintained its Equal-Weight rating on Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI), which reported solid second quarter results driven by continued strength in its Olive Garden segment. Darden reported adjusted EPS of was $0.64 in line with consensus. Olive Garden posted its ninth consecutive...

Stephens remains on Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI)'s sidelines ahead of the restaurant operator’s

McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is in the early stages of a multi-year turnaround, while Wendys Co's (NASDAQ: WEN) free cash flow is attractive, Stephens said on Friday. McDonald's Improving- Wendys Seeing Positive Trends Previewing the fourth quarter results, analyst Will...

The recent management change at Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) further compounds investor concerns, triggering more bearish views from Wall Street. Chipotle said founder Steve Ells is assuming the role of sole-CEO as co-CEO Monty Moran steps down amid the slower-than-expected sales...

Following an announcement from Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) regarding the stepping down of its CEO Howard Schultz, Stephens said it does not anticipate a major shift in business. The company also announced that chief operating officer Kevin Johnson will take over from Schultz, effective...

There are at least two catalysts for investors' hurt sentiments on Sonic Corporation(NASDAQ: SONC), which led to a drop of more than 18 percent. The first is the downbeat forecast for the fiscal year 2017, and the second is the resultant downgrade of the stock. Stephens believes Sonic will take...

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) shareholders are cheering the company’s across-the-board Q3 earnings beat released prior to the market open on Friday. Stephens analysts Will Slabaugh expects McDonald's to continue focusing on what is working in Q4: breakfast. McDonald's beat...

Stephens upgraded shares of Restaurant Brands International Inc (NYSE: QSR) to Overweight from Equal Weight, attributing the upgrade to its belief that it is one of the few restaurants where investors can easily draw a multi-year path to margin improvement and earnings upside. Above Consensus 3Q...

Stephens downgraded Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (NYSE: KKD) to Equal-Weight from Overweight after the company said it agreed to be acquired by by JAB Beech Inc. for $21 a share, or about $1.35 billion in equity value. "We like the valuation of this deal (over 16x '16 EBITDA), which is...

Stephens boosted the price target of Bojangles Inc (NASDAQ: BOJA) to $22 from $20 after the company reported another earnings beat despite the competitive environment. The company reported strong results for the first quarter, including a company-owned SSS growth of +2.7 percent and adj. EPS of $0....

Amid the heavy market selling on Tuesday, restaurant stocks have performed relatively well. Shares of Cheesecake Factory Inc (NASDAQ: CAKE), Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG), McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) and Sonic Corporation (NASDAQ: SONC) were all in the green on Tuesday...

From food-borne illnesses, the subsequent food safety risks and concerns, and dampened consumer sentiments, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) has had its share of difficulties recently. While the stock has rebounded over the last three months from its previous downhill snowballing, the...