Looking back on sit-down dining stocks’ Q4 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Brinker International (NYSE: EAT) and its peers.

Sit-down restaurants offer a complete dining experience with table service. These establishments span various cuisines and are renowned for their warm hospitality and welcoming ambiance, making them perfect for family gatherings, special occasions, or simply unwinding. Their extensive menus range from appetizers to indulgent desserts and wines and cocktails. This space is extremely fragmented and competition includes everything from publicly-traded companies owning multiple chains to single-location mom-and-pop restaurants.

The 11 sit-down dining stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q4. As a group, revenues were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 7% since the latest earnings results.

Brinker International (NYSE: EAT)

Founded by Norman Brinker in Dallas, Brinker International (NYSE: EAT) is a casual restaurant chain that operates the Chili’s, Maggiano’s Little Italy, and It’s Just Wings banners.

Brinker International reported revenues of $1.45 billion, up 6.9% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.9%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

"Chili's delivered another strong quarter with industry-leading growth of +9%, rolling the industry-leading growth from last year for a 2-year comp sales growth of +43%," said Kevin Hochman, President & CEO of Brinker International.

Brinker International scored the biggest analyst estimates beat but had the weakest full-year guidance update of the whole group. Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 8.4% since reporting and currently trades at $144.01.

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

Best Q4: Red Robin (NASDAQ: RRGB)

Known for its bottomless steak fries, Red Robin (NASDAQ: RRGB) is a chain of casual restaurants specializing in burgers and general American fare.

Red Robin reported revenues of $269 million, down 5.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1.8%. The business had an exceptional quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and full-year EBITDA guidance beating analysts’ expectations.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 5.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $3.42.

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

Weakest Q4: Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ: TXRH)

With locations often featuring Western-inspired decor, Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ: TXRH) is an American restaurant chain specializing in Southern-style cuisine and steaks.

Texas Roadhouse reported revenues of $1.48 billion, up 3.1% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 5% since the results and currently trades at $173.40.

Read our full analysis of Texas Roadhouse’s results here.

Cracker Barrel (NASDAQ: CBRL)

Known for its country-themed food and merchandise, Cracker Barrel (NASDAQ: CBRL) is a beloved American restaurant and retail chain that celebrates the warmth and charm of Southern hospitality.

Cracker Barrel reported revenues of $874.8 million, down 7.9% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 1.2%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also recorded a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Cracker Barrel had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 9.7% since reporting and currently trades at $27.64.

Read our full, actionable report on Cracker Barrel here, it’s free.

Darden (NYSE: DRI)

Founded in 1968 as Red Lobster, Darden (NYSE: DRI) is a leading American restaurant company that owns and operates a portfolio of popular restaurant brands.

Darden reported revenues of $3.10 billion, up 7.3% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 1%. It was a strong quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ same-store sales estimates and a narrow beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is up 9.2% since reporting and currently trades at $207.03.

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

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