** U.S. restaurant stocks record a largely solid showing in
2021 even as the Delta and Omicron variants have posed a threat
to their recovery this year
** Domino's Pizza DPZ.N , which is increasing for the 13th
straight year, leads the gains, jumping 45% this year, as of
last close, while it is the seventh year of gains for Pizza
Hut-owner Yum Brands YUM.N
** Chipotle Mexican Grill CMG.N , Olive Garden-parent
Darden Restaurants DRI.N and Starbucks SBUX.O are also
extending their winning streak to between four years and nine
years
** Starbucks is brokerage Barclays' top pick for 2022,
according to a note from Dec. 15
** Barclays expects McDonald's MCD.N , Wendy's WEN.O ,
Applebee's-owner Dine Brands DIN.N and Burger King-parent
Restaurant Brands QSR.N to outperform in the beginning of
2022, with Darden and Outback Steakhouse-owner Bloomin' Brands
BLMN.O outperforming starting mid-2022
** However, the S&P 500 Restaurants .SPLRCREST is up
nearly 21% this year, underperforming the 27% increase in the
broader S&P 500 .SPX
** Urban-centric Shake Shack SHAK.N snaps its four-year
winning run, while Chili's-parent Brinker International EAT.N ,
which has missed earnings estimates for three straight quarters,
is declining the most among major restaurants
Company RIC 2021 2020 Rating
Domino's Pizza DPZ.N 45% 31% Buy
Dine Brands Global DIN.N 33% -31% Buy
Yum Brands YUM.N 28% 8% Buy
Chipotle Mexican Grill CMG.N 26% 66% Buy
McDonald's MCD.N 25% 9% Buy
Darden Restaurants DRI.N 25% 9% Buy
Starbucks SBUX.O 9% 22% Buy
Wendy's WEN.O 9% -1% Buy
Denny's DENN.O 8% -26% Buy
Restaurant Brands International QSR.N -1% -4% Buy
Shake Shack SHAK.N -14% 42% Hold
Brinker International EAT.N -35% 35% Buy
(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam)
((Praveen.Paramasivam@thomsonreuters.com;))