Core Insights - Chipotle's growth appears to be slowing, with a nearly 30% decline in value over the past year, while Dutch Bros has seen minimal growth, indicating a divergence in performance between the two companies [1][3]. Company Performance - Dutch Bros reported a 25% year-over-year revenue growth in Q3 2025, significantly outperforming Chipotle's 7.5% growth during the same period [3]. - Comparable sales for Dutch Bros grew by 5.7% year-over-year, while Chipotle's comparable sales growth was only 0.3%, suggesting potential customer retention issues for Chipotle [5]. Valuation Analysis - Dutch Bros has a high valuation with a P/E ratio of 124, compared to Chipotle's more reasonable P/E ratio of 35, indicating that Chipotle may have more room for error in its financial performance [6][8]. - The current valuation of Dutch Bros necessitates sustained high revenue growth and margin expansion to justify its stock price, while Chipotle's valuation allows for more flexibility [8]. Market Context - The performance of Dutch Bros raises concerns about its sustainability, as it could face a fate similar to Cava, which experienced a significant stock decline despite maintaining revenue growth [9][10]. - Chipotle, despite its slowing growth, may present a more attractive investment opportunity due to its lower valuation compared to Dutch Bros [10].

It’s been quite a while since the last time I covered Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. ( CMG ), and since I am looking to diversify my exposure away from the AI growth storyMSc in Finance. Long-term horizon investor mostly with 5-10 year horizon. I like to keep investing simple. I believe a portfolio should consist of a mix of growth, value, and dividend-paying stocks but usually end up looking for value more than anything. I also sell options from time to time.Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or ...

Core Viewpoint - Investors in the Retail - Restaurants sector should consider Restaurant Brands (QSR) as a potentially undervalued stock compared to Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) [1] Group 1: Zacks Rank and Earnings Outlook - Restaurant Brands has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings estimate revision trend, while Chipotle Mexican Grill has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3] - The improving earnings outlook for QSR makes it a more attractive option for value investors [7] Group 2: Valuation Metrics - QSR has a forward P/E ratio of 17.51, significantly lower than CMG's forward P/E of 33.94 [5] - The PEG ratio for QSR is 2.54, while CMG's PEG ratio is higher at 3.86, indicating QSR may be undervalued relative to its expected EPS growth [5] - QSR's P/B ratio stands at 4.44, compared to CMG's P/B ratio of 16.66, further suggesting QSR's relative undervaluation [6] - Based on these valuation metrics, QSR holds a Value grade of B, while CMG has a Value grade of C [6]

Key Points Chipotle's same-store sales are declining, leading to a decline in the stock price. Its margins are moving in the wrong direction, with potential limits on the number of stores it can open in the future. The stock still trades at a premium valuation. 10 stocks we like better than Chipotle Mexican Grill › Shares of Chipotle (NYSE: CMG) fell 38.6% last year, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. The fast-casual leader in Mexican food had poor traffic and sales figures l ...

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today announced it is teaming up with five American athletes to launch new digital menu items as well as new episodes of its popular "Unwrapped" video series. The brand will also bring back its signature gold foil across the U.S. starting February 6, available while supplies last. Continue Reading U.S. hockey players Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, Hilary Knight and Taylor Heise, along with snowboarder Red Gerard, will h ...

Core Viewpoint - Chipotle Mexican Grill's stock has significantly declined from its peak, trading 41% below its all-time high, raising questions about its growth potential in the current market environment [1] Financial Performance - Chipotle's same-store sales experienced a decline in the first and second quarters of the previous year, but showed a slight recovery with a growth of 0.3% in the third quarter [2] - For 2023 and 2024, same-store sales are projected to increase by 7.9% and 7.4% respectively, indicating a promising long-term trend [2] - The company's Q3 operating margin decreased to 15.9% from 16.9% in the previous year, impacted by tariffs and rising beef costs [4] Market Sentiment - Consumer confidence in the U.S. is at its lowest in decades, leading to more cautious spending habits, particularly among lower-income households, which is affecting dining out trends [2][3] - CEO Scott Boatwright noted that the challenges faced by lower-income households are not unique to Chipotle, citing factors such as unemployment and slower real wage growth [3] Growth Prospects - Chipotle plans to open 350 to 370 net new stores in 2026, with a long-term goal of reaching 7,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada, indicating ongoing growth potential [6] - The company maintains strong brand recognition and competitive advantages in the fast-casual dining sector, which supports its long-term revenue and earnings growth [5][6]

Key Points Chipotle reaffirmed the full-year 2025 guidance it issued in October and announced major leadership transitions. The guidance calls for a decline in 2025 same-store sales growth, helping explain why the stock struggled last year. Investors are likely hoping that Chipotle can return to robust same-store sales growth by mid-2026. 10 stocks we like better than Chipotle Mexican Grill › Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) stock had a brutal 2025, as consumers became more discerning with thei ...

Core Viewpoint - Chipotle has distanced itself from billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman following his $10,000 donation to a fundraiser for an ICE agent involved in a fatal shooting, which has led to calls for a boycott of the restaurant chain [1][5][8]. Company Response - Chipotle issued a statement clarifying that Bill Ackman is "not affiliated" with the company, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding his political activism and previous investment history with the chain [2][8]. - The statement was a direct response to online backlash and misinformation suggesting that Ackman was still an owner or major investor in Chipotle [6][8]. Background on Ackman's Involvement - Ackman was previously a significant shareholder in Chipotle, holding a 9.9% stake and investing over $1 billion during a period of crisis for the company due to food-safety scandals [9][12]. - His involvement was marked by aggressive advocacy for management reforms and board changes, which contributed to a turnaround in Chipotle's performance [9][12]. - By late 2025, Ackman's hedge fund, Pershing Square Capital Management, had fully exited its investment in Chipotle, ending nearly a decade of involvement [12][13].

Core Viewpoint - Chipotle has reaffirmed its outlook for same-store sales to decline in the low-single digit range for fiscal year 2025, marking the first decline in over 20 years [1] Group 1: Same-Store Sales Performance - Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Michael Halen noted that same-store sales may have dropped by 1.8% in 2025, which would be the first decline in 23 years of publicly available data [2] - During the E. coli crisis in 2015, comparable sales only rose by 0.2%, indicating a significant shift in consumer behavior [2] - Promotions such as free chips and buy-one-get-one offers may have temporarily boosted same-store sales but could weaken the perceived value of the full menu [3] Group 2: Marketing and Brand Management - Chipotle's marketing spend increased by 90 basis points year-over-year in the third quarter, with efforts aimed at attracting younger and lower-income consumers [5] - The company has implemented various promotions, including college football BOGO offers and a digital trivia game, to engage customers [5] - Chris Brandt, the president and chief brand officer, has stepped down, which may impact ongoing marketing strategies [4][6] Group 3: Leadership Changes - Stephanie Perdue has been appointed as the interim chief marketing officer following Brandt's departure [6] - Roger Theodoredis, the chief legal officer, has also stepped down from the company [6]

CHIPOTLE EXECUTIVE ILENE ESKENAZI APPOINTED CHIEF LEGAL AND HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER STEPHANIE PERDUE, VICE PRESIDENT OF BRAND MARKETING, APPOINTED INTERIM CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER REAFFIRMS FULL YEAR 2025 GUIDANCE NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today announced that Ilene Eskenazi, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), has been appointed Chief Legal and Human Resources Officer. Ms. Eskenazi succeeds Roger Theodoredis who has transitioned out of his rol ...