Topic: How To Invest

Stock Pickers Digest Hotline – Friday, February 22, 2019

Article Excerpt

TEXAS ROADHOUSE INC., $62.65, symbol TXRH on Nasdaq, is a full-service, casual-dining restaurant chain with 582 locations spread across 49 U.S. states and 10 foreign countries. Its restaurants operate under two banners—Texas Roadhouse (557 locations) and Bubba’s 33 (25). Most outlets are company-owned. For the most-recent quarter, ended December 31, 2018, overall revenue rose 11.2%, to $605.9 million from $545.1 million a year earlier. Same-store sales increased 5.6% for company-owned restaurants and 4.8% for franchise locations in the U.S. Texas Roadhouse opened 11 company restaurants, one international franchise restaurant and one Bubba’s 33 in the latest quarter. Overall earnings rose 6.0%, to $30.3 million, or $0.42 per share, from $28.6 million, or $0.40, a year earlier. The increase was due to the higher revenue and lower income tax expense. That was partially offset by the higher labour costs. To boost profitability, Texas Roadhouse raised menu prices by about 1.7% in mid-November. It aims to a raise prices by a further 1.5% at the…