Restaurant stocks diverge as hot CPI, oil prices pressure consumer spending

Restaurant stocks traded mixed on May 15, 2026, after April CPI rose 3.8% from a year earlier and Brent crude climbed to about $107 a barrel, intensifying concerns that inflation and fuel costs are squeezing dining demand. National gasoline prices remained above $4.50 a gallon, more than 50% higher since late February. Restaurant industry traffic fell 2.3% year over year in March, with Applebee’s and Domino’s reporting softer sales while McDonald’s posted 3.7% growth as consumers shifted to lower-cost options. Kura Sushi USA Inc. (KRUS) was among the affected names. The stock was down 2.5% year to date at $52.86, 44.8% below its 52-week high of $95.83 set in July 2025. Its prior notable move came on April 21, 2026, when shares rose 4.7% after Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz, sending crude prices lower and easing margin concerns for restaurant operators.