Restaurant Industry Trends - Full-service restaurants are performing well as consumers still seek dining experiences [1][2] - A bifurcated economy exists where higher-end dining occasions are doing better than transactional options [2] - Consumers are shifting from fast food/quick service to sit-down meals, willing to spend a bit more for the experience [3] - People are prioritizing family/friend meals over daily transactional purchases like Starbucks or workday salads [4] Company Performance & Outlook - Chipotle faced a tough year with negative same-store sales in Q2, partly due to comparison issues and a slowdown in the fast-casual sector [5] - Despite challenges, Chipotle is viewed favorably due to its value, new store performance, and good margins [6] - Cava experienced an expectations mismatch after being considered the "Chipotle of Mediterranean," but new restaurants are performing strongly [6][7] - Cava's earnings were slightly ahead of estimates, suggesting no major issues, but the company is working through growing pains [7]