A strong stock as of late has been Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (CBRL). Shares have been marching higher, with the stock up 35.7% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $61.32 in the previous session. Cracker Barrel has gained 141.1% since the start of the year compared to the -0.6% gain for the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector and the -12.7% return for the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?
The stock has a great record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on September 23, 2026, Cracker Barrel reported EPS of $0.99 versus consensus estimate of $0.2 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 2.19%.
For the current fiscal year, Cracker Barrel is expected to post earnings of $1.56 per share on $3.37 in revenues. This represents a 95% change in EPS on a 1.49% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $1.9 per share on $3.53 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 21.79% and 4.75%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
While Cracker Barrel has moved to its 52-week high in the recent past, investors need to be asking, what is next for the company? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.
On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
Cracker Barrel has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 39.4X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 19.8X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 8.7X versus its peer group's average of 10X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.46. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
Zacks Rank
We also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this is even more important than the company's VGM Score. Fortunately, Cracker Barrel currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to a solid earnings estimate revision trend.
Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Cracker Barrel fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Cracker Barrel shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.
How Does CBRL Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of CBRL have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (CAKE). CAKE has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Score of D, a Growth Score of B, and a Momentum Score of B.
Earnings were strong last quarter. The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated beat our consensus estimate by 23.08%, and for the current fiscal year, CAKE is expected to post earnings of $4.57 per share on revenue of $4.02 billion.
Shares of The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated have gained 16.2% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 24.61X and a P/CF of 19.18X.
The Retail - Restaurants industry is in the top 39% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for CBRL and CAKE, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
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Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (CBRL): Free Stock Analysis Report
The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (CAKE): Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).