9 fast food stocks to watch

The best fast food stocks depend on your portfolio and investment goals—while volatility can be ideal for day traders, long-term investors will want to look to stocks with steadier gains over time.

9 popular fast food stocks to watch

We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the restaurant industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap stocks.

1. McDonald’s Corporation (MCD)
2. Yum! Brands (YUM)
3. Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)
4. Restaurant Brands International (QSR)
5. Domino’s Pizza (DPZ)
6. Shake Shack (SHAK)
7. The Wendy’s (WEN)
8. Jack In The Box (JACK)
9. Papa Johns International (PZZA)

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The fast food stocks industry is affected by a range of complex factors such as trade policies, regulations, and fluctuating supply and demand. So when considering fast food stocks to buy, it's important that you have access to vital information about a company's financial health, leadership team, and market positioning.

Our picks for platforms with research tools

How to invest in fast food stocks

1. Choose an online stock trading platform. Choose from our Top Picks above, use our comparison table below or jump straight to the best stock trading apps in Canada.
2. Sign up for an account. Provide your personal information and sign up.
3. Set up a funding method to pay for the transaction. Deposit funds into your account by linking your banking information.
4. Choose the stocks you want to buy. Search for the stock by name or ticker symbol like MCD or YUM.
5. Place your order. Buy the stock. It's that simple.

Learn more about popular fast food stocks

We round up a selection of stocks in or related to the restaurant industry, weighting the list more heavily towards popular mid- and large-cap US stocks.

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1. McDonald’s Corporation (MCD)

McDonald's Corporation operates and franchises restaurants under the McDonald's brand in the United States and internationally. It offers food and beverages, including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, various chicken sandwiches, fries, shakes, desserts, sundaes, cookies, pies, soft drinks, coffee, and other beverages; and full or limited breakfast, as well as sells various other products during limited-time promotions. The company owns and operates under various structures comprising conventional franchise, developmental license, or affiliate.

• Previous close price: $293.99
• Market capitalization: $210,679,119,872
• 1 year performance: 0.79%
• P/E ratio: 25.8339

Buy MCD stock on Interactive Brokers

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2. Yum! Brands (YUM)

Yum! Brands, Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants worldwide. The company operates through the KFC Division, the Taco Bell Division, the Pizza Hut Division, and the Habit Burger Grill Division segments.

• Previous close price: $135.00
• Market capitalization: $37,674,721,280
• 1 year performance: 3.85%
• P/E ratio: 25.2336

Buy YUM stock on Interactive Brokers

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3. Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads.

• Previous close price: $62.24
• Market capitalization: $84,807,598,080
• 1 year performance: -97.30%
• P/E ratio: 57.6296

Buy CMG stock on Interactive Brokers

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4. Restaurant Brands International (QSR)

Restaurant Brands International Inc. operates as a quick-service restaurant company in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Tim Hortons (TH), Burger King (BK), Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (PLK), and Firehouse Subs (FHS).

• Previous close price: $65.64
• Market capitalization: $29,644,009,472
• 1 year performance: -15.22%
• P/E ratio: 16.4511

Buy QSR stock on Interactive Brokers

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5. Domino’s Pizza (DPZ)

Domino's Pizza, Inc. , through its subsidiaries, operates as a pizza company in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: U.

• Previous close price: $431.00
• Market capitalization: $14,873,277,440
• 1 year performance: 5.16%
• P/E ratio: 26.4564

Buy DPZ stock on Interactive Brokers

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6. Shake Shack (SHAK)

Shake Shack Inc. owns, operates, and licenses Shake Shack restaurants (Shacks) in the United States and internationally. Its Shacks offers hamburgers, chicken, hot dogs, crinkle cut fries, shakes, frozen custard, beer, wine, and other products.

• Previous close price: $132.03
• Market capitalization: $5,348,672,512
• 1 year performance: 77.75%
• P/E ratio: 629.5

Buy SHAK stock on Interactive Brokers

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7. The Wendy’s (WEN)

The Wendy's Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a quick-service restaurant company in the United States and internationally. It operates through Wendy's U. S.

• Previous close price: $16.63
• Market capitalization: $3,389,942,016
• 1 year performance: -15.97%
• P/E ratio: 17.6915

Buy WEN stock on Interactive Brokers

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8. Jack In The Box (JACK)

Jack in the Box Inc. operates and franchises Jack in the Box and Del Taco quick-service restaurants in the United States. The company was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

• Previous close price: $39.35
• Market capitalization: $754,914,752
• 1 year performance: -52.50%

Buy JACK stock on Interactive Brokers

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9. Papa Johns International (PZZA)

Papa John's International, Inc. operates and franchises pizza delivery and carryout restaurants under the Papa John's trademark in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Domestic Company-Owned Restaurants, North America Commissaries, North America Franchising, and International Operations.

• Previous close price: $40.12
• Market capitalization: $1,319,373,440
• 1 year performance: -46.78%
• P/E ratio: 13.9862

Buy PZZA stock on Interactive Brokers

Buy fast food stocks from these online trading platforms

Compare special offers, low fees and a wide range of investment options among top trading platforms.

Note: The dollar amounts in the table below are in Canadian dollars.

Finder Score for stock trading platforms

To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Trading costs, account fees and features across 10+ stock trading platforms and apps are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the platform - simple.

Read the full methodology

Related: Compare the best stock trading platforms in Canada

Bottom line

While it's possible to turn a profit investing in fast food stocks, keep in mind that—like any investment—fast food stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions both in the market and in the restaurant industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest. If you're new to investing or if it's been a while since you've taken a critical look at your investment accounts, compare brokers to make sure you're getting the best trading features for your needs.

Related: How to buy stocks in Canada

Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades.