3 big food chains poised to make a resurgence in 2026
While AI is likely to continue capturing market attention in 2026, some analysts see opportunity in major food stocks.
After a two-year period of “normalization” in which independent mom-and-pop stores gained some ground, fast-casual leaders are “best positioned for reacceleration” as they return to aggressive consolidation, Bank of America analyst Sara Senatore wrote in a recent report.
“As chains redouble efforts to increase sales [through] value, menu innovation, [and] “We expect major restaurant concepts to return to winner status in marketing,” Senatore wrote.
The shift into non-tech stocks is already taking shape, with analysts noting that three major food chains—Chipotle (CMG), Wingstop (WING), and Cava (CAVA)—could be top contenders for a 2026 comeback.
Consumer spending at restaurants, according to 2025 BofA report came crawlingHigh menu prices rather than transaction volume were effective in this growth. Additionally, higher-income consumers are increasing their spending, while lower-income households are cutting back on trades or reducing the number of trips to manage rising costs.
Read more: What is the ‘K-shaped’ economy and what is causing the divide?
Still, Chipotle remains the primary contender for this recovery, even as it navigates a tough 2025 that has seen its shares down nearly 38% so far.
Bernstein analyst Danilo Gargiulo remains confident in the chain’s 2026 outlook despite short-term volatility, citing a renewed focus on chicken to offset beef inflation and accelerated equipment deployment that could see efficiency gains bottom out a year earlier than planned.
But execution remains key. “Most of the initiatives will be tested in 2026,” Gargiulo warned. Giving up the “garbage bowl” for other menu items could be another hurdle if younger generations don’t bite.
Wingstop, meanwhile, is targeting a 2026 resurgence despite macro pressures that have caused its shares to fall nearly 16% this year.
Gargiulo noted that “increased consumer malaise” has led to a decline in same-store sales in late 2025, but that the brand’s “Smart Kitchen” app, which aims to reduce order wait times from 22 minutes to just 10 minutes, is a potential game changer. By combining speed with a new marketing push, Wingstop believes it can capture the delivery-first audience tired of rising costs.
Finally, Cava could serve as another high-momentum, albeit high-risk, alternative. Shares of the Mediterranean chain have fallen almost 48% year to date, proving that it is not immune to the macro pressures plaguing the sector.
