How does RRGB's earnings trend compare year-over-year?

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (RRGB) has shown a decline in earnings year-over-year, transitioning from a net income to a net loss position. Here's a detailed analysis:

1. **Net Income Decline**: The most recent data for the fourth quarter of 2024 shows a significant drop in net income. RRGB reported a net loss of $39.72 million for the fourth quarter, compared to a net income of $13.73 million in the same period the previous year. This indicates a sharp deterioration in financial performance.

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Net Income (FY) YoY|Net Income (FY)|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|RRGB|RRGB.O|Red Robin Gourmet Burgers|2020|-3393.205111982791|-2.76068E8|185|
|RRGB|RRGB.O|Red Robin Gourmet Burgers|2021|81.72805250880218|-5.0443E7|185|
|RRGB|RRGB.O|Red Robin Gourmet Burgers|2022|-56.38046904426779|-7.8883E7|185|
|RRGB|RRGB.O|Red Robin Gourmet Burgers|2023|73.08925877565508|-2.1228E7|185|
|RRGB|RRGB.O|Red Robin Gourmet Burgers|2024|-265.2769926512154|-7.7541E7|185|

2. **Revenue Comparison**: While the company's revenue decreased year-over-year, it still outperformed market expectations. Revenue for the fourth quarter was $285.23 million, beating the consensus mark of $281 million. However, this represents a 7.7% decrease from the previous year's revenue of $309.03 million.
3. **Earnings Shortfall**: RRGB's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) missed analyst expectations, coming in at -$0.94, which is a $0.44 shortfall from the consensus estimate of -$0.50. This reflects a challenging period for the company, as it struggled to meet financial targets.
4. **Strategic Initiatives**: Despite the earnings decline, RRGB has been actively working on restructuring and cost-cutting measures. The company has seen improvements in traffic trends, with a 600 basis point increase from the first quarter to the fourth quarter. Additionally, there has been a notable 19.0% rise in adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter.
5. **Future Outlook**: Analysts remain cautiously optimistic about RRGB's potential for a stellar turnaround, citing positive early trends and confidence in the company's strategic initiatives. The restaurant's efforts to enhance the guest experience and improve operational efficiency could pave the way for future growth.

In conclusion, RRGB's earnings trend has been negatively impacted year-over-year, with a substantial increase in net losses and a decline in revenue. However, the company's strategic initiatives and improvements in operational efficiency offer a glimmer of hope for a potential turnaround in the coming years.