Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q2 behind us, let’s have a look at El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO) and its peers.

Traditional fast-food restaurants are renowned for their speed and convenience, boasting menus filled with familiar and budget-friendly items. Their reputations for on-the-go consumption make them favored destinations for individuals and families needing a quick meal. This class of restaurants, however, is fighting the perception that their meals are unhealthy and made with inferior ingredients, a battle that's especially relevant today given the consumers increasing focus on health and wellness.

The 12 traditional fast food stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.6%.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 15.7% since the latest earnings results.

El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO)

With a name that translates into ‘The Crazy Chicken’, El Pollo Loco (NASDAQ: LOCO) is a fast food chain known for its citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken recipe that hails from the coastal town of Sinaloa, Mexico.

El Pollo Loco reported revenues of $129.6 million, up 3% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 0.5%, but it was still a satisfactory quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Even though it had a relatively good quarter, the market seems discontent with the results. The stock is down 13.8% since reporting and currently trades at $14.12.

Is now the time to buy El Pollo Loco? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q2: Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX)

Started by three friends in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market, Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) is a globally-renowned coffeehouse chain that offers a wide selection of high-quality coffee, beverages, and food items.

Starbucks reported revenues of $9.32 billion, down 1.4% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1.5%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates and full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations.

Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 8.4% since reporting. It currently trades at $95.39.

Is now the time to buy Starbucks? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q2: Papa John's (NASDAQ: PZZA)

Founded by the eclectic John “Papa John” Schnatter, Papa John’s (NASDAQ: PZZA) is a globally recognized pizza delivery and carryout chain known for “better ingredients” and “better pizza”.

Papa John's reported revenues of $482.4 million, down 8.8% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a softer quarter as it posted full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 32.3% since the results and currently trades at $20.13.

Read our full analysis of Papa John’s results here.

Jack in the Box (NASDAQ: JACK)

Delighting customers since its inception in 1951, Jack in the Box (NASDAQ: JACK) is a distinctive fast-food chain known for its bold flavors, innovative menu items, and quirky marketing.

Jack in the Box reported revenues of $257.7 million, down 22.6% year on year. This number lagged analysts’ expectations by 2.5%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but a slight miss of analysts’ same-store sales estimates.

Jack in the Box had the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 26.8% since reporting and currently trades at $13.74.

Read our full, actionable report on Jack in the Box here, it’s free.

Domino's (NASDAQ: DPZ)

Founded by two brothers in Michigan, Domino’s (NASDAQ: DPZ) is a globally recognized pizza chain known for its creative marketing and fast delivery.

Domino's reported revenues of $1.19 billion, up 4.3% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 1.2%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it recorded same-store sales in line with analysts’ estimates.

The stock is down 8.7% since reporting and currently trades at $294.15.

Read our full, actionable report on Domino's here, it’s free.

Market Update

Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.

Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.

By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.