Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Buffalo Wild Wings Inc., Cosi Inc., Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc., Famous Dave’s of America Inc. and BJ’s Restaurants Inc.

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 29, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. (BWLD - Analyst Report), Cosi Inc. (COSI - Analyst Report), Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (RRGB - Analyst Report), Famous Dave’s of America Inc. (DAVE - Snapshot Report) and BJ’s Restaurants Inc. (BJRI - Analyst Report).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Wednesday’s AnalystBlog:

Buffalo Wild Wings Profit Soars

Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. (BWLD - Analyst Report), best known for its chicken wings and sports bar, sustained its growth momentum in the third-quarter 2009 despite economic turmoil and lower consumer discretionary spending. The company reaffirmed its growth target of 15% in units, 25% in revenue, and 20% to 25% in net earnings for fiscal year 2009, showing its resilience in a turbulent environment. Management expects net earnings to be at the high end of its forecast.

The company’s net profit surged 50.4% year-over-year to $6.9 million. As a result, EPS jumped 52% to 38 cents, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The double-digit rise in the top-line, menu price increases, new restaurant openings and operational efficiency drove earnings.

Total revenue climbed 25.1% to $132.7 million. Sales at company-operated restaurant jumped 26% to $120.3 million, driven by comparable-store sales increase of 0.8% and 33 additional restaurants in operation at the end of the quarter compared to the prior-year quarter. Franchise royalties and fees rose 17.7% to $12.5 million driven by 1.9% increase in comparable-store sales, and 52 additional restaurants in operation at the end of the quarter compared to year-ago quarter.

The growth in comps sustained in the first four weeks of the fourth-quarter 2009, increasing about 6% at company-operated restaurants and nearly 4% at franchised restaurants.

Restaurant operating cash flow margin increased by 40 basis points to 17% driven by menu price increase, 50 basis points decline in labor costs to 30.2% (as a percentage of company-operated restaurant sales), 30 basis points fall in operating costs to 16.1%, offset by 30 basis points rise in occupancy costs to 6.9%. Cost of sales remained flat at 29.8%.

During the quarter, Buffalo Wild Wings opened five company-owned and 17 franchise restaurants, and expects to open 12 company-owned and 17 franchise restaurants in the fourth-quarter 2009. For fiscal year 2010, management expects to achieve 13% to 15% unit growth with a net earnings growth of 20%.

Buffalo Wild Wings' targets opening 1,000 units in the United States in the long run. With 633 restaurants, we think the concept has a lot of room to grow before covering the market. Televised sporting events and beer attract customers in most major markets, so we do not anticipate unique regional tastes to dampen sales as the company expands into new markets.

In the casual dining space, Buffalo Wild Wings competes with Cosi Inc. (COSI - Analyst Report), Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (RRGB - Analyst Report), Famous Dave’s of America Inc. (DAVE - Snapshot Report) and BJ’s Restaurants Inc. (BJRI - Analyst Report).

Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5515.

About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5517

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5518.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

Contact:
Mark Vickery
Web Content Editor
312-265-9380
Visit: www.zacks.com