First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc. (FWRG) vs Papa John's International, Inc. (PZZA)

A side-by-side comparison of First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc. and Papa John's International, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

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Total return — FWRG vs PZZA

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 5y
FWRG -52.5% (-13.8%/yr)PZZA -82.2% (-29.2%/yr)FWRG compounded faster over this window
20406080100120Start $10020222023202420252026$47$18
FWRG PZZA

FWRG vs PZZA: by the numbers

  • •FWRG is the larger company ($651M vs $639M market cap).
  • •PZZA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.59 vs 37.19 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •FWRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (25.36% vs -0.02% CAGR).
  • •PZZA pays a dividend (7.03% yield), while FWRG has no payments in the available dividend history.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricFWRGPZZA
P/E ratio37.1924.59
Forward P/E91.0316.27
P/S ratio0.490.32
P/B ratio1.03N/A
EV / EBITDA12.218.89
FCF yieldN/A5.36%

Profitability

MetricFWRGPZZA
Gross margin13.04%23.16%
Operating margin4.25%4.11%
Net margin1.35%1.40%
ROE2.81%N/A
ROIC3.38%9.04%

Dividends

MetricFWRGPZZA
Dividend yieldN/A7.03%
Payout ratioN/A174.68%

Growth (annualized)

MetricFWRGPZZA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)25.36%-0.02%
EPS CAGR (5Y)N/A-12.87%
FCF CAGR (5Y)N/A-28.50%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-13.18%-28.96%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, FWRG or PZZA?
PZZA has the lower trailing P/E: FWRG trades at 37.19 and PZZA at 24.59. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, FWRG or PZZA?
Over the past five years, FWRG grew revenue faster — FWRG at a 25.36% CAGR versus PZZA at -0.02%.
Does FWRG or PZZA pay a bigger dividend?
PZZA pays a dividend (7.03% yield), while FWRG has no payments in the available dividend history.
How have FWRG and PZZA total returns compared?
Over the past 5 years, FWRG delivered -13.18% and PZZA delivered -28.96% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.