Carrols Restaurant Group (Nasdaq: TAST) reported earnings on Feb. 28. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Carrols Restaurant Group met expectations on revenue and whiffed on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue increased and GAAP earnings per share dropped to zero.

Gross margin grew, operating margin contracted, and net margin shrank.

Revenue details
Carrols Restaurant Group logged revenue of $203.6 million. The one analyst polled by S&P Capital IQ expected a top line of $203.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 4.5% higher than the prior-year quarter's $194.9 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.13. The one earnings estimate compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.18 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS dropped to zero from the prior-year quarter's $0.12.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 19.5%, 270 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.9%, 110 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 0.0%, 130 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $206.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.14.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $865.1 million. The average EPS estimate is $0.87.

Investor sentiment
Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Carrols Restaurant Group is outperform, with an average price target of $12.00.

Over the decades, small-cap stocks like Carrols Restaurant Group have provided market-beating returns, provided they're value-priced and have solid businesses. Read about a pair of companies with a lock on their markets in "Too Small to Fail: Two Small Caps the Government Won't Let Go Broke." Click here for instant access to this free report.