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.
- McDonald’s Corporation (MCD)
- Yum! Brands (YUM)
- Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)
- Restaurant Brands International (QSR)
- Domino’s Pizza (DPZ)
- Shake Shack (SHAK)
- The Wendy’s (WEN)
- Jack In The Box (JACK)
- Papa Johns International (PZZA)
Compare investment accounts that help you research stocks
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
- 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.
- Sign up for an account. Provide your personal information and sign up.
- Set up a funding method to pay for the transaction. Deposit funds into your account by linking your banking information.
- Choose the stocks you want to buy. Search for the stock by name or ticker symbol like MCD or YUM.
- 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.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: $287.97
- Market capitalization: $207,677,964,288
- 1 year performance: 3.05%
- P/E ratio: 25.3734
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: $134.50
- Market capitalization: $37,816,668,160
- 1 year performance: 3.26%
- P/E ratio: 24.6085
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: $53.03
- Market capitalization: $73,513,680,896
- 1 year performance: -97.23%
- P/E ratio: 52.1165
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: $67.93
- Market capitalization: $31,273,992,192
- 1 year performance: -3.25%
- P/E ratio: 17.4135
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: $410.26
- Market capitalization: $14,348,088,320
- 1 year performance: 4.44%
- P/E ratio: 25.2466
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: $96.13
- Market capitalization: $4,222,022,400
- 1 year performance: 33.22%
- P/E ratio: 157.7937
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: $16.74
- Market capitalization: $3,438,871,808
- 1 year performance: -14.79%
- P/E ratio: 17.2653
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: $46.19
- Market capitalization: $944,059,392
- 1 year performance: -44.17%
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: $47.57
- Market capitalization: $1,545,488,896
- 1 year performance: -39.17%
- P/E ratio: 22.5571
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.
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.More on investing
![How do ETFs work?](https://www.finder.com/finder-us/wp-uploads/sites/5/2023/01/HowdoETFswork_Finder_450x250-1.jpg)
How do ETFs work?
Your guide to how ETFs work and whether this type of investment is right for you.
Read more…![How to read stock charts](https://www.finder.com/finder-us/wp-uploads/sites/5/2022/12/howtoreadstockcharts_Finder_450x250.jpg)
How to read stock charts
Learning how to read stock charts and recognize chart patterns can unlock your success as a trader.
Read more…![What are stocks?](https://www.finder.com/finder-us/wp-uploads/sites/5/2022/12/WhatAreStocks_Finder_450x250.jpg)
What are stocks?
Owning a stock means you own part of a company and can potentially grow your wealth. But there is a risk of loss.
Read more…More guides on Finder
-
How to buy Yoshitsu Co. stock in Canada
Steps to owning and managing Yoshitsu Co. stocks, with 24-hour and historical pricing before you buy.
-
How to buy Cerberus Cyber Sentinel stock in Canada
Steps to owning and managing Cerberus Cyber Sentinel stocks, with 24-hour and historical pricing before you buy.
-
How to buy Fresh Grapes LLC stock in Canada
Steps to owning and managing Fresh Vine Wine, Inc stocks, with 24-hour and historical pricing before you buy.
-
How to buy Quest Diagnostics Incorporated stock in Canada
Steps to owning and managing DGX with 24-hour and historical pricing before you buy.
-
How to buy Nuvectis Pharma (NVCT) stock in Canada when it goes public
Everything we know about the Nuvectis Pharma IPO plus information on how to buy in.
-
How to buy BuzzFeed stock in Canada
Steps to owning and managing BuzzFeed, Inc stocks, with 24-hour and historical pricing before you buy.
-
Best renewable energy stocks
These are the best renewable energy stocks to buy now in Canada.
-
Best stocks to buy right now in Canada
Finder’s unique algorithm found the 20 best TSX stocks to buy right now.
-
Can I buy AeroFarms stock?
A failed SPAC deal pulled the plug on this vertical farming company’s plans to go public. But you can buy stock in other sustainable farming companies.
-
How to buy Reddit stock in Canada when it goes public
Everything we know about the Reddit IPO plus information on how to buy in.