Buffalo Wild Wings Spices Up the Joint

Once again, Buffalo Wild Wings (Nasdaq: BWLD) has defied the recession to report an impressive quarter.

Second-quarter net income increased 24.2%, to $7 million, or $0.39 per share. Revenue surged an impressive 32.4%, to $129.6 million. Same-store sales increased 2.8% and 3.7% at company-owned and franchise locations, respectively. Furthermore, Buffalo Wild Wings' franchise royalties and fees jumped 14%, to $11.9 million. In short, the company made a good showing all around.

CEO Sally Smith said Buffalo Wild Wings is still on track to increase 2009 revenue by 25%, with earnings climbing 20%-25% from 2008 levels. Smith sounded particularly enthusiastic about the advent of football season, one of the big draws for the company's client base.

Better yet for investors, B-Dubs is free cash flow-positive, generating $4.2 million in the first six months of the year. The company also has $11 million in cash, $37 million in short-term securities, and no debt -- big pluses for any investment thesis.

Despite the ugly economy, Buffalo Wild Wings has maintained bold plans to open more stores; so far, things seem to be progressing just fine. B-Dubs' results contrast sharply with those of companies such as Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX). The java giant recently increased its quarterly profit, but its sales and comps keep dwindling. (So does its store count.)

Like B-Dubs, Chipotle (NYSE: CMG) (NYSE: CMG-B) recently reported a surprisingly zesty quarter, but its recent success may have left its shares too hot to handle. That said, both Chipotle and Buffalo Wild Wings seem much more promising than fellow restaurant plays facing tougher growth challenges, such as Ruby Tuesday (NYSE: RT) or Brinker International (NYSE: EAT).

If you'd prefer something off Wall Street's value menu, fast-food giant and excellent performer McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) still trades at a far cheaper multiple than either Buffalo Wild Wings or Chipotle. B-Dubs' trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 25 approaches nosebleed levels, especially compared to McDonald's P/E of 15.

Buffalo Wild Wings could be an intriguing pick for investors willing to take a walk on the wild side. Just make sure you're confident in the company's ability to keep generating heady, double-digit growth.