As DRI Falls 13% in a Week, QSR’s Story Stands Out
Restaurant Brands International (QSR) offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Darden Restaurants (DRI), suggesting you may be better off investing in QSR
- QSR’s quarterly revenue growth was 15.9%, vs. DRI’s 10.6%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 21.8%, ahead of DRI’s 6.0%.
- QSR leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 25.8% and 3-year average of 28.8%.
DRI owns and operates full-service restaurants across the U.S. and Canada, founded in 1968 and headquartered in Orlando, Florida. QSR operates Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeyes, and Firehouse Subs, offering coffee, donuts, flame-grilled burgers, sandwiches, fries, and specialty drinks through ownership and franchising.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| DRI | QSR | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 15.1 | 8.9 | QSR |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 10.6% | 15.9% | QSR |
| Last 12 Months | 6.0% | 21.8% | QSR |
| Last 3 Year Average | 7.8% | 14.2% | QSR |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 11.9% | 25.8% | QSR |
| Last 3 Year Average | 11.8% | 28.8% | QSR |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 63.1% | 24.4% | DRI |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: DRI Revenue Comparison | QSR Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: DRI Operating Income Comparison | QSR Operating Income Comparison
But do these numbers tell the full story? Read Buy or Sell QSR Stock to see if Restaurant Brands International’s edge holds up under the hood or if Darden Restaurants still has cards to play (see Buy or Sell DRI Stock).
That is one way to look at stocks. Trefis High Quality Portfolio evaluates much more, and is designed to reduce stock-specific risk while giving upside exposure
Historical Market Performance
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| DRI Return | 10% | 29% | -5% | 23% | 18% | 1% | 99% | ||
| QSR Return | -0% | 3% | 11% | 25% | -14% | -0% | 21% | ||
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 14% | 106% | <=== | |
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| DRI Win Rate | 67% | 67% | 42% | 67% | 50% | 75% | 61% | ||
| QSR Win Rate | 58% | 50% | 50% | 67% | 33% | 50% | 51% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 62% | 63% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| DRI Max Drawdown | -68% | -6% | -25% | 0% | -14% | -3% | -19% | ||
| QSR Max Drawdown | -55% | -9% | -22% | -6% | -15% | -7% | -19% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -12% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year up to 9/22/2025 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read QSR Dip Buyer Analyses and DRI Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.