Starbucks Is Up 24% This Year While Dutch Bros Is Down 24%. Here's Why Only 1 of These Coffee Stocks Is a Buy in September.

Starbucks has gained 24% this year due to successful turnaround efforts under CEO Brian Niccol, with four consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth. Dutch Bros has declined 24% despite solid 5.8% comparable sales growth, as its high valuation (P/E of 66) reflects market concerns. The analyst recommends Dutch Bros as the better buy due to significant domestic expansion opportunities and disciplined growth strategy, despite both stocks trading at rich valuations compared to the S&P 500's P/E of 26.

09/08/2026, 10:17 AM • The Motley Fool

I've Covered Many IPOs for The Motley Fool. Here's What Most Investors Get Wrong.

IPO stocks are often overpriced at launch due to hype, making them risky investments. Retail investors have limited access to IPO shares, which mostly go to institutional investors. The article recommends waiting for better entry points, particularly after the 180-day lockup period expires when insiders can sell, rather than buying immediately at IPO prices.

09/08/2026, 7:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) Market Surges to USD 2,462.71 Billion by 2035, at 8.75% CAGR – Report by SNS Insider

The global Quick Service Restaurants market is projected to grow from USD 1,064.44 billion in 2025 to USD 2,462.71 billion by 2035 at an 8.75% CAGR. Digital ordering and delivery services now account for 48% of QSR sales, with online orders exceeding 120 billion globally. North America leads with 34.65% market share, while Asia Pacific emerges as the fastest-growing region at 9.96% CAGR. Major players are investing in digital innovation, mobile apps, and contactless services to capture growing consumer demand for convenience.

09/07/2026, 6:47 AM • GlobeNewswire

3 Consumer Stocks Driving Growth From a Regional-to-National Expansion

The article highlights three consumer stocks expanding from regional to national operations: Dutch Bros (coffee chain growing from 470 to 1,225 locations with 32% revenue growth), BJ's Wholesale (warehouse retailer expanding westward with 13% revenue growth and attractive 20 P/E ratio), and Cava Group (Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain with 32% revenue growth and 450 locations). All three companies are positioned for significant long-term growth similar to historical successes like Walmart and Starbucks.

08/30/2026, 4:30 AM • The Motley Fool

Dutch Bros: The Business Keeps Getting Better, Yet the Multiple Keeps Shrinking

Dutch Bros reported strong Q2 results with 8.3% same-store sales growth, 13 consecutive quarters of positive sales, and raised full-year guidance, yet the stock fell 22% due to its premium valuation. The company's drive-thru model and loyalty program (74% of transactions) continue to drive performance despite a challenging consumer spending environment. With only 1,225 locations and potential to reach 7,000 domestic shops, the stock offers long-term growth potential but remains expensive at 46x forward earnings after the pullback.

08/20/2026, 7:25 AM • The Motley Fool

Starbucks Just Landed the Biggest Weekend in the Company's History. You Won't Believe What Drove It.

Starbucks achieved a record-breaking weekend by selling over 2 million Unicorn Frappuccinos during a limited-time relaunch, marking its biggest Saturday sales day ever. The achievement caps a remarkable turnaround for the coffee chain, which reported strong Q3 2026 results with 7.9% comparable sales growth and raised its full-year guidance to 6% or more comps growth.

08/18/2026, 7:27 PM • The Motley Fool

Is iShares US Consumer Staples ETF a Better Buy Than Invesco Food & Beverage?

The iShares U.S. Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) outperforms the Invesco Food & Beverage ETF (PBJ) across multiple metrics, including a lower 0.38% expense ratio versus 0.61%, higher 2.6% dividend yield versus 1.3%, and superior 1-year returns of 8.9% versus -1.0%. With 53 diversified holdings across consumer staples, healthcare, and materials versus PBJ's 31 food and beverage-focused companies, IYK offers broader sector exposure and better long-term performance.

08/11/2026, 3:29 PM • The Motley Fool

Why the 20% Sell-Off in Dutch Bros Stock Is a Massive Opportunity

Dutch Bros stock fell nearly 20% after Q2 earnings due to investor disappointment with same-store sales growth guidance for the second half. However, the article argues the sell-off presents a buying opportunity, as the company's expansion story remains on track with strong fundamentals, aggressive store growth plans, and a valuation multiple lower than mature competitor Starbucks despite higher growth potential.

08/09/2026, 3:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Amazon.com vs. Dutch Bros: Which Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026, the E-Commerce Giant or the Fast-Growing Beverage Company?

The article compares Amazon and Dutch Bros as investment options for 2026. Amazon generated $716.9B in revenue with a 10.8% net margin and benefits from strong AWS AI growth (37% YoY), while Dutch Bros shows impressive 27.9% revenue growth to $1.6B with expanding store footprint. Despite Dutch Bros' rapid expansion, Amazon is recommended as the better buy due to its reasonable valuation (24.9x Forward P/E vs 71.6x for Dutch Bros) and significant AI market opportunity through AWS.

08/04/2026, 8:02 PM • The Motley Fool

Starbucks Is Bouncing Back. Here's Why Dutch Bros Is Still the Better Long-Term Buy.

Starbucks is experiencing a strong recovery with 7.9% U.S. same-store sales growth and expanding margins under CEO Brian Niccol's leadership, particularly driven by customizable energy drinks. However, Dutch Bros is positioned as the better long-term investment due to its larger growth runway—aiming to expand from 1,177 to 2,029 stores by 2029 with potential for 7,000 U.S. locations long-term—and its early-mover advantage in the cold beverage category. Both stocks are trading at premium valuations.

08/04/2026, 6:05 PM • The Motley Fool

If I Were in My 20s, I'd Buy This Magnificent ETF and Hold It Until Retirement

The article recommends the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), an ETF tracking the Nasdaq-100 index, as an ideal long-term investment for young investors in their 20s. The Nasdaq-100 is heavily weighted toward technology stocks (70%) and has historically outperformed the S&P 500 with a 10.9% compound annual return over 27 years versus 8.6% for the S&P 500. The article highlights how major tech companies in the index have benefited from the AI revolution, with the top 10 holdings delivering over 500% average returns since 2023.

08/02/2026, 4:15 PM • The Motley Fool

Starbucks vs. Chipotle: Both Restaurants Are Seeing Turnarounds, but Which Stock Is the Better Buy Today?

Both Starbucks and Chipotle reported better-than-expected same-store sales growth last quarter, with Starbucks showing stronger comps at 7.9% versus Chipotle's 2.2%. However, the companies diverged on operating margins: Starbucks is beginning to recover margins after CEO Brian Niccol's staffing investments, while Chipotle's margins contracted due to inflation pressures. The analyst favors Starbucks as the better buy due to its stronger sales execution and potential for significant margin recovery.

08/01/2026, 2:05 AM • The Motley Fool

Dutch Bros vs. Beyond Meat: Which Consumer Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

The article compares Dutch Bros and Beyond Meat as investment opportunities in 2026. Dutch Bros, a rapidly expanding coffee chain with 1,136 locations and 28% revenue growth, is recommended as the stronger buy. Beyond Meat, facing declining demand for plant-based meat with 15.6% revenue decline and ongoing restructuring, is considered to be in survival mode rather than growth mode.

07/29/2026, 3:17 PM • The Motley Fool

Best Restaurant Stocks to Buy: Starbucks vs. McDonald's vs. Domino's

The restaurant industry faces significant headwinds as consumers have less discretionary spending power and are reducing frequency of dining out and purchasing beverages. The article compares three major restaurant stocks—Starbucks, McDonald's, and Domino's—as investment options in this challenging environment.

07/25/2026, 9:25 PM • The Motley Fool

Brian Niccol's Starbucks Turnaround Is Quietly Working -- Even With Profit Cut in Half. The July 29 Test Comes Next.

Starbucks stock trades near 52-week highs despite fiscal 2025 profits being cut in half, as the market prices in CEO Brian Niccol's turnaround before it fully materializes in earnings. The recovery is driven by increasing customer traffic, with U.S. comparable sales up 7.1% and transactions up 4.3% in Q2 FY2026. However, the stock's 45x P/E ratio leaves little room for error, and the July 29 earnings report will be critical to validate whether the margin recovery continues as promised.

07/21/2026, 5:14 PM • The Motley Fool