These two tap into today’s dining trends

Article Excerpt

TEXAS ROADHOUSE $71.67 (Nasdaq symbol TXRH; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (502-426-9984; www.texasroadhouse.com; Shares o/s: 71.5 million; Market cap: $5.2 billion; Divd. yield: 1.4%) is a full-service, casual-dining restaurant chain with 565 locations spread across 49 U.S. states and eight foreign countries. Its restaurants operate under two banners—Texas Roadhouse (540 locations) and Bubba’s 33 (25). Most outlets are company-owned. For the most-recent quarter, ended June 30, 2018, overall revenue for Texas Roadhouse rose 11.1%, to $629.2 million from $566.3 million a year earlier. Earnings jumped 17.7%, to $44.2 million, or $0.62 per share, from $37.6 million, or $0.53, a year earlier. Those gains are mostly due to reduced costs and 2017 U.S. tax reforms that lowered the company’s taxes. Like most U.S. restaurant chains, Texas Roadhouse is vulnerable to a slowdown in business when consumer confidence is weak and families cut back on eating out. Labour costs for all restaurant operators also continue to move up. However, Texas Roadhouse benefits from today’s stronger economy and high employment…