CHICAGO, July 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses the Restaurants, including Buffalo Wild Wings (Nasdaq: BWLD), McDonald (NYSE: MCD), BJ's Restaurants (Nasdaq: BJRI), Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (Nasdaq: RRGB).

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A synopsis of today's Industry Outlook is presented below. The full article can be read at

http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/57967/Restaurant+Industry+Stock+Review+%96+July+2011

With the economic outlook improving, the fortunes of a number of industry players have turned around. These companies promise long-term growth opportunities:

Buffalo Wild Wings (Nasdaq: BWLD) offers investors one of the strongest growth stories in this space. Buffalo Wild Wings had also been able to consistently deliver positive comps during the height of market turmoil.

With consistent earnings and a healthy balance sheet, McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) provides relative safety and moderate growth opportunities in the current scenario, as well as exposure to faster-growing international markets. McDonald's U.S. comparable-store sales have been showing continued uptrend since the last few months on strong sales of beverage as well as core menu products.

Boasting a unique position in the hyper-competitive bar and grill segment, yet another stock, BJ's Restaurants (Nasdaq: BJRI) offers investors a strong growth story with a viable business strategy and debt-free balance sheet. The company delivered impressive second quarter results in terms of earnings per share and same-store sales growth.

Improved Californian Market

The core California market, which was badly hit by the recession resulted in a high rate of unemployment and weak consumer confidence, has started to turn around. We see plenty of growth opportunities in the California and Texas markets. BJ's Restaurants and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (Nasdaq: RRGB) are expanding rapidly in California.

Job Growth in the Sector

The restaurant industry is the major contributor to job growth in the U.S. According to the National Restaurant Association, Texas and Florida will likely show the strongest job growth over the next 10 years.

Remodels and Menu Innovations Remain Key to Success

Additionally, restaurants are accessing different means to plug the problems of heightened competition in a somewhat over-supplied domestic market. Companies continue to reduce their energy consumption and are remodeling their restaurants to give an up-market feel. They are rolling out new, smaller prototypes to augment the perception of value and drive traffic thereby reducing construction and occupancy costs to enhance returns on capital.

While Darden has embarked on an extensive remodeling plan for its core brands like Olive Garden and Red Lobster to spur their same-store sales, Chipotle Mexican Grill is introducing typical Southeast Asian cuisine coupled with naturally raised food, for which it is well known.

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