TSX Investors: How Risky Are Restaurant Stocks in 2020?

Restaurant stocks like MTY Food Group Inc. (TSX:MTY) are reeling as the Canadian restaurant sector tackles a generational crisis.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s premium investing services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The S&P/TSX Composite Index enjoyed a fantastic week ending April 10. However, Canadian restaurants are still facing a catastrophic situation, as we move into the middle of the month. Do restaurant stocks make sense for TSX investors right now? Let’s dive in.

Many Canadian restaurants are on the brink

It is difficult to find a sector that has been harder hit than restaurants in this crisis. The government-mandated lockdowns were immediately felt in hospitality. This is especially true for small business owners. Restaurants often operate on razor-thin margins to begin with. The impact of weeks of lost revenue for these business owners is incalculable. The federal government is taking steps to provide relief, but it will not be enough for many in this sector.

The Canadian food service sector laid off an astonishing 800,000 people in the month of March. Restaurants Canada, the industry association which conducted this revealing survey, has warned that nearly 30% of restaurants will not re-open if the situation remains unchanged throughout the month of April. Many restaurateurs have argued that the 75% wage subsidy and $40,000 loans for small businesses will not account for damage that will take “a generation” to recover from.

These restaurateurs are lobbying for an industry-specific package to prevent a catastrophic scenario.

Restaurant stocks to watch today

Many restaurants have been forced to resort to take-out due to the lock downs. Fast-food restaurant stocks look like the best bet to stay resilient due to their structure. This is good news for Restaurant Brands, which owns and operates Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Popeyes. Even still, investors should expect a sharp pullback in activity. Shares of RBI have dropped 12% month over month as of close on April 10, but the stock bounced back 24% over the past week.

Restaurants that rely on in-room dining have moved to offer take-out as well, but they will feel the brunt of the drop in foot traffic. Recipe Unlimited owns and operates casual dining chains like East Side Mario’s, Kelsey’s, Montana’s, and The Keg. Its stock has dropped 30% over the past month, even with a 23% bump over the last week.

Companies are making cuts

In late March, the company announced that it would suspend compensation for its board of directors as well as for its CEO. It will also suspend all further dividend payments. This came with a series of other dramatic actions that have been in response to the loss in revenue that will stretch to a month this week.

MTY Food Group is a mixed bag for TSX investors right now. It operates a mix of casual dining, fast casual, and quick-service restaurants. Shares of MTY Food Group have dropped 50% over the past month. This comes after a 25.9% spike on April 10.

On April 6, MTY announced that it would rely on exemptions recently granted by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities to delay its first-quarter earnings release. It suspended its dividend, laid off over half of its global workforce, and capital and operating spending has been reduced to a minimum.

There is too much uncertainty when it comes to the length of the lockdowns to trust Recipe Unlimited or MTY Food Group right now. RBI, however, is more well equipped to tackle this crisis.

Should you invest $1,000 in Imperial Oil right now?

Before you buy stock in Imperial Oil, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team just identified what they believe are the Top Stocks for 2025 and Beyond for investors to buy now… and Imperial Oil wasn’t one of them. The Top Stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 ... if you invested $1,000 in the “eBay of Latin America” at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $18,391.46!*

Stock Advisor Canada provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month – one from Canada and one from the U.S. The Stock Advisor Canada service has outperformed the return of S&P/TSX Composite Index by 35 percentage points since 2013*.

See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 1/7/25

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Ambrose O'Callaghan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends MTY Food Group. The Motley Fool recommends RESTAURANT BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC.

If You Thought Apple and Microsoft Were Big, You Need to Read This.

The steel industry produced the world's first $1 billion company in 1901, and it wasn't until 117 years later that technology giant Apple became the first-ever company to reach a $1 trillion valuation.

But what if I told you artificial intelligence (AI) is about to accelerate the pace of value creation? AI has the potential to produce several trillion-dollar companies in the future, and The Motley Fool is watching one very closely right now.

Don't fumble this potential wealth-building opportunity by navigating it alone. The Motley Fool has a proven track record of picking revolutionary growth stocks early, from Netflix to Amazon, so become a premium member today.

See the 'AI Supercycle' Stock

More on Coronavirus

A airplane sits on a runway.
Coronavirus

3 Fresh Stocks I’m Likely Buying in 2025

I am likely buying Air Canada (TSX:AC) stock in 2025.

Read more »

RRSP Canadian Registered Retirement Savings Plan concept
Coronavirus

Canadian RRSP Stocks to Buy Now for Retirement

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc (TSX:ATD) is a quality retirement stock.

Read more »

A train passes Morant's curve in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies.
Coronavirus

Retirees: What Rising Inflation Means for Your CPP Payments

If you aren't getting enough CPP, you can consider investing in stocks and ETFs. Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR) is one…

Read more »

Coronavirus

Air Canada Stock Is Starting to Get Ridiculously Oversold

Air Canada (TSX:AC) has been beaten down to absurd lows.

Read more »

Coronavirus

Should You Buy Air Canada Stock While it’s Below $18?

Air Canada (TSX:AC) stock is below $18. Should you invest?

Read more »

Illustration of data, cloud computing and microchips
Stocks for Beginners

3 Canadian Stocks That Could Still Double in 2024

These three Canadians stocks have been huge winners already in 2024, but still have room to double again in the…

Read more »

Aircraft Mechanic checking jet engine of the airplane
Coronavirus

Can Air Canada Stock Recover in 2024?

Air Canada (TSX:AC) stock remains close to its COVID-19 era lows, even though its business has recovered.

Read more »

A airplane sits on a runway.
Coronavirus

3 Things to Know About Air Canada Stock Before You Buy

Air Canada stock continues to hover below $20 despite the sharp rise in travel demand seen across the industry. What's…

Read more »