TR
Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (TXRH)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2025 revenue was $1.448B (+9.6% YoY) and diluted EPS was $1.70 (+1% YoY); comps rose 3.5% with positive traffic, but restaurant margin rate contracted 77 bps to 16.6% on commodity (+2.1%) and wage inflation (+4.6%) .
- Versus S&P Global consensus, revenue modestly beat while EPS and EBITDA missed; management pointed to mix shifting toward steaks and inflation cadence (commodity ~4% for 2025, including ~30 bps from tariffs) as drivers of margin pressure . Estimates marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
- Guidance: 2025 commodity inflation raised to ~4% including tariffs; store week growth ~5%, wage inflation 4–5%, effective tax rate 15–16%, capex ~$400M all reiterated; a 1.4% menu price increase implemented in early April .
- Near‑term catalysts: sustained traffic momentum (Q2-to-date comps +5% with ~3.1% traffic), tech rollouts (digital kitchen ~65% of stores; guest management upgrade ~70%), and continued development plus franchise acquisitions; watch beef/tariff inflation vs pricing actions into fall .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Positive comps (+3.5%) with traffic growth and record March average weekly sales across all three brands; average weekly sales reached $163,071 with to‑go $22,146 .
- Development and portfolio strategy: eight company openings in Q1, 50th Bubba’s 33 opened, and acquisition of 14 domestic franchise restaurants; total restaurants at quarter end 792 (688 company, 104 franchise) .
- Operational leverage in “other operating” costs (−32 bps YoY) and strong productivity with labor hours growing ~35% of traffic growth for sixth straight quarter; hourly and manager turnover below pre‑pandemic levels .
What Went Wrong
- Restaurant margin rate fell 77 bps to 16.6%; mix shifted toward steaks (benefits sales but pressures COGS rate), and labor percent deleveraged on slower AWS growth vs inflation .
- Commodity inflation outlook increased to ~4% for 2025 including tariffs, with beef outlook tighter; rent line deleveraged partly due to acquired units (many in CA) and new store rents .
- Versus consensus, EPS and EBITDA missed despite revenue beat; margin dollars per store week declined ~2.2% YoY, highlighting pressure despite growth and prior strong 2024 lap . Estimates marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Financial Results
Quarterly Actuals
YoY Comparison – Q1
Actual vs S&P Global Consensus – Q1 2025
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global. EBITDA actual from S&P Global aggregation; company does not report EBITDA in release.
Segment/KPI Snapshot
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We remain pleased with the direction of our overall business… average weekly sales for March hit all‑time highs at all three brands… focus on delivering legendary food and legendary service.” — CEO Jerry Morgan .
- “We have increased our guidance for full year commodity inflation to approximately 4%… ~30 bps from tariffs… labor hours growing at approximately 35% of comparable traffic growth.” — CFO Chris Monroe .
- “Restaurant margin dollars per store week maybe don’t grow nearly as much as we have seen… softer in the first quarter.” — IR lead Michael Bailen .
- “65% of restaurants using a digital kitchen… 70% upgraded guest management system.” — CEO Jerry Morgan .
Q&A Highlights
- Pricing below inflation: ~3.1% price in Q1; 2.3% in Q2/Q3; methodical approach to structural inflation, not pricing for commodities; mix improved in entrees/appetizers, alcohol still down slightly .
- Labor leverage: labor hours grew ~35% of traffic growth (sixth straight quarter <50% rule), aided by low turnover; February volatility noted .
- COGS/mix dynamics: guests trading into steak from chicken/seafood; positive for top line but pressures COGS rate by ~20–30 bps in Q2–Q3 cadence .
- Rent deleverage: driven by acquisition/new stores, including higher‑rent California units; slight deleverage expected in 2025 .
- To‑go: sequential step‑up; margin neutral to slightly positive assuming full dining rooms and staffed kitchens .
- Calendar effects: Easter/spring break shifts impacted reported comps by ~+20 bps in Q1 and ~−20 bps in Q2 .
Estimates Context
- Q1 2025: Revenue beat consensus ($1,447.6M actual vs $1,440.3M*), while EPS ($1.70 actual vs $1.758*) and EBITDA ($183.6M actual vs $188.4M*) missed as margin rate declined on mix and inflation . Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
- Near‑term (Q2-to-date): comps +5% with ~3.1% traffic; pricing +2.3% in Q2/Q3 should aid leverage against labor, but commodity/tariff pressures and steak mix remain watch items for margin trajectory .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Top line resilient: traffic positive and AWS at records in March; Q2‑to‑date comps +5% suggest continued demand normalization post weather‑impacted February .
- Margin pressure transitory but visible: steak mix and beef/tariff inflation (2025 ~4%) compress COGS rate; watch fall pricing decision and cadence of commodity costs .
- Productivity intact: operators sustaining labor efficiency (hours ~35% of traffic growth) and leveraging “other operating” line; supports medium‑term margin recovery as mix/inflation stabilize .
- Growth drivers: ~30 company openings targeted in 2025, Bubba’s 33 expansion (50 units achieved), and franchise roll‑ups deepen control and economies of scale .
- Tech stack roll‑out: digital kitchen and guest management upgrades (~65%/~70% coverage) should improve throughput/experience; monitor measurable benefits as full deployment completes .
- Capital allocation consistent: ~$400M capex, ongoing dividends ($0.68/share) and buybacks; balance sheet capacity sustained .
- Trading setup: focus on margin commentary, steak mix trend, and tariff pass‑through; a clear plan on fall pricing could be a stock reaction catalyst alongside sustained traffic comps .
Additional Press Releases (Q1 Context)
- Company announced Q1 earnings call logistics on April 10, 2025 [7].
- Dividend declared $0.68 per share on May 7, 2025, payable July 1, 2025 .
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.