Image source: Buffalo Wild Wings.
What: Shares of Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD) rose 20.9% in July 2016, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. The surge came at the end of the month, after wavering around the breakeven point for three weeks. The surge was fueled by the company's second-quarter earnings report, which powered share prices as much as 14% higher in a single day.
So what: The fast-casual restaurant chain fell short of Wall Street's revenue and earnings targets in the second quarter, but made up for it by holding full-year guidance intact and detailing a solid operating plan. In particular, early numbers for B-Dubs' new digital ordering tools and the quick-serve Fast Break lunch program point to good things coming down the pipeline. Takeout orders are surging, and now make up 16% of the company's total order volume.
Now what: Buffalo Wild Wings is even trying delivery services in a small handful of test markets, in response to customer requests. If these trials turn out to be successful, takeout and delivery orders would become even more important in future reporting periods.
Holding full-year guidance firm after missing quarterly targets indicates confidence that things are turning around in the second half. Meanwhile, results showing 15% year-over-year sales growth and 10% higher earnings aren't exactly screaming for a turnaround strategy in the first place. If I'm nit picking, organic growth could improve, since most of these gains came from building more restaurant locations.
