ARCO
Consumer CyclicalArcos Dorados Holdings Inc. · Restaurants · $2B
What is Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc.?
Arcos Dorados Holdings is the world's largest McDonald's franchisee, holding exclusive rights to operate and sub-franchise McDonald's restaurants across 20 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean. The company is headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Arcos Dorados generates revenue by operating company-owned McDonald's restaurants and collecting fees from sub-franchisees across Latin America and the Caribbean. Its business model ties closely to consumer spending patterns in emerging markets, where it manages everything from local menu adaptation to restaurant development. The company earns through a combination of direct restaurant sales and franchise royalty income, making it sensitive to regional currency fluctuations and macroeconomic conditions across its footprint.
Arcos Dorados was founded in 2011 and is based in Montevideo, Uruguay.
- Company-owned McDonald's restaurant operations across Latin America
- Sub-franchise agreements with local restaurant operators
- Localized menu development for Latin American markets
- Restaurant development and expansion in emerging markets
Is ARCO a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates ARCO as Below Average overall.
The Valuation pillar stands out as the relative bright spot in ARCO's profile, rated Good — suggesting the market may already be pricing in many of the company's challenges. This makes it one of the more accessible entry points among consumer-facing franchisees in the region.
The Quality, Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars all carry Weak ratings, reflecting the structural headwinds of operating in currency-volatile emerging markets with limited pricing power and thin competitive differentiation.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does ARCO pay dividends?
Yes — Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. pays a dividend.
Arcos Dorados pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among small-cap consumer cyclical companies operating in emerging markets. The dividend reflects management's intent to return capital to shareholders even amid currency and macro pressures. Investors seeking income should weigh the dividend against the currency translation risks inherent in a Latin America-focused business.
When does ARCO report earnings?
Arcos Dorados reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.
Results tend to be influenced heavily by currency movements across the company's 20-country footprint, particularly in Brazil and Argentina. Consumer spending trends in Latin America and commodity input costs also shape quarterly outcomes meaningfully.
For the most recent quarter's results, see Arcos Dorados's investor relations page.
ARCO Price History
+65.4% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc.?
Based on Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
ARCO Long-term Outlook
The UQS Growth pillar carries a Weak rating for ARCO, pointing to limited near-term earnings momentum relative to peers. The Risk pillar is similarly Weak, reflecting ongoing exposure to currency devaluation, inflationary pressures, and political volatility across Latin America. That said, the Good Valuation rating suggests downside may be partially reflected in the current price. The fundamental outlook hinges on stabilization in key markets like Brazil and Argentina rather than organic business acceleration.
Growth drivers
- Expansion of restaurant count across underpenetrated Latin American markets
- Recovery in consumer discretionary spending as regional economies stabilize
- Digital ordering and loyalty program adoption driving ticket size growth
Key risks
- Currency devaluation in Argentina, Brazil, and other key markets eroding reported results
- Macroeconomic instability and inflation compressing consumer spending across the region
- Elevated valuation sensitivity to any deterioration in franchise fee income
ARCO vs Peers
Within the broader quick-service and casual dining franchise space, ARCO competes for investor attention alongside several US-listed peers.
Wendy's operates primarily in North America with a more mature, domestically focused franchise model and less exposure to emerging-market currency risk.
Papa John's competes in the pizza delivery segment globally, with a franchise model that differs meaningfully from ARCO's burger-focused, Latin America-centric operations.
The Cheesecake Factory operates in the full-service casual dining segment, targeting a higher average check and a predominantly US customer base.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Arcos Dorados do?
Arcos Dorados is the world's largest McDonald's franchisee, holding exclusive rights to own, operate, and sub-franchise McDonald's restaurants across 20 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean. It earns revenue through direct restaurant sales and franchise royalty fees.
Does ARCO pay dividends?
Yes, Arcos Dorados pays a regular dividend. This is notable for a small-cap company operating in emerging markets. Investors should be aware that dividend payments can be affected by currency translation and regional macroeconomic conditions. Check the company's investor relations page for the current dividend schedule.
When does ARCO report earnings?
Arcos Dorados reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with US-listed equities. Exact dates vary each quarter. For the most up-to-date schedule, visit the company's investor relations page directly.
Is ARCO a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates ARCO as Below Average overall. The Valuation pillar is rated Good, but Quality, Moat, Growth, and Risk are all Weak. Whether ARCO fits a portfolio depends on an investor's tolerance for emerging-market risk and currency volatility. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is ARCO overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for ARCO is rated Good, suggesting the stock is not considered expensive relative to its fundamentals at current levels. However, a favorable valuation alone does not offset the Weak ratings across the other four pillars. See the complete analysis on UQS Pro.
How does ARCO compare to its competitors?
Compared to peers like Wendy's, Papa John's, and The Cheesecake Factory, ARCO is unique in its exclusive Latin American focus and emerging-market exposure. This geographic concentration creates both growth opportunities and risks — particularly around currency and macro volatility — that differ substantially from North America-focused franchisors.
What is ARCO's market cap bracket?
Arcos Dorados is classified as a small-cap stock. This places it in a segment of the market that can offer growth potential but typically carries higher volatility and less analyst coverage than large- or mega-cap peers.
Who founded Arcos Dorados?
Arcos Dorados was founded in 2011 when Woods Staton led a group that acquired McDonald's Latin American operations. The company is headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay, and has since grown into the largest McDonald's franchisee in the world by restaurant count.
Is ARCO a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, ARCO's UQS profile presents challenges. Weak ratings across Quality, Moat, Growth, and Risk suggest the business faces structural headwinds that may persist. The Good Valuation rating provides some cushion, but long-term investors should weigh the emerging-market risks carefully before committing capital.
What is the main competitive advantage of Arcos Dorados?
Arcos Dorados holds an exclusive franchise agreement granting it the sole right to operate and sub-franchise McDonald's restaurants across 20 Latin American and Caribbean markets. This territorial exclusivity is its primary structural advantage, though the UQS Moat pillar rates this protection as Weak given the competitive and macro environment.
What sector does ARCO belong to?
Arcos Dorados is classified in the Consumer Cyclical sector. This means its performance is closely tied to consumer discretionary spending, which tends to rise and fall with economic conditions — a dynamic that is amplified by the company's exposure to volatile Latin American economies.
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Pro Analysis
ARCO — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 31.0 | 40.6 | 13.9 | 63.5 | +0.3 |
| May 22, 2026 | 36.4 | 36.8 | 31.0 | 40.6 | 13.9 | 61.8 | 0.0 |
| May 21, 2026 | 36.4 | 36.8 | 31.0 | 40.2 | 13.9 | 61.9 | -0.4 |
| May 16, 2026 | 36.8 | 36.8 | 31.0 | 40.2 | 13.9 | 65.0 | 0.0 |
| May 15, 2026 | 36.8 | 36.7 | 31.0 | 40.2 | 13.9 | 64.8 | +0.1 |
| May 14, 2026 | 36.7 | 36.7 | 31.0 | 40.2 | 13.9 | 63.9 | +0.1 |
| May 12, 2026 | 36.6 | 36.7 | 31.0 | 40.2 | 13.9 | 63.4 | +0.3 |
| May 11, 2026 | 36.3 | 36.7 | 31.0 | 40.2 | 13.9 | 61.6 | -4.6 |
| May 10, 2026 | 40.9 | 36.5 | 31.0 | 40.2 | 13.9 | 92.3 | +5.4 |
| May 9, 2026 | 35.5 | 36.5 | 31.0 | 36.5 | 13.9 | 61.6 | -0.8 |
ARCO — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 36.8/100 (25%)Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 40.6/100 (20%)Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 13.9/100 (15%)Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 63.8/100 (15%)Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 31/100 (25%)Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for ARCO.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the ARCO UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.