< The 2014 All-America Research TeamJohn IvankoeJ.P. MorganFirst-place appearances: 0

Total appearances: 10

Team debut: 2005It’s three consecutive years at No. 2 on this lineup for John Ivankoe, the J.P. Morgan analyst whose “years of experience, innate sense of value and highly detailed analysis make him indispensable in following the restaurant industry,” in the mind of at least one money manager. Ivankoe advises that casual dining supply growth is on track to outstrip demand. As a result, he believes that restaurant operators with plenty of free cash flow and margin-expansion opportunities represent the sector’s likely winners. On this theme, the researcher’s preferred names are DineEquity, the Glendale, California–based operator of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar and International House of Pancakes franchises; Dallas’s Brinker International, which runs the Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant brands; and Tampa, Florida–headquartered Bloomin’ Brands, operator of Outback Steakhouse and other names.