Over the last few decades, a handful of restaurant stocks have returned more than 1,000% while selling everyday food like pizza, burgers, and wings—not cutting‑edge tech or new medicine.

Some restaurant stocks now trade like tech names, with huge price swings driven by social media buzz and retail traders, even though the core business is still selling burgers, burritos, or coffee.

Some investors refuse to touch “risky” restaurant stocks, yet happily pour money into their favorite burger or coffee chain just because they eat there every week.