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Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Is Interesting, but Here's What I'd Buy Instead
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-19 10:30
Core Insights - Dutch Bros presents a significant growth opportunity compared to Chipotle Mexican Grill, which has faced challenges in maintaining customer traffic and sales growth [2][4]. Group 1: Chipotle Mexican Grill - Chipotle's menu features fresh ingredients without artificial flavors, but it experienced a 1.7% decline in same-restaurant sales last year, primarily due to a 2.9-percentage-point drop in customer traffic [4][5]. - The company opened 321 new locations last year, bringing its total to over 4,000, indicating potential for further expansion despite recent sales challenges [5]. - Chipotle's stock price fell 36.4% over the past year, with a current P/E ratio of 32, which is still higher than the S&P 500's 29 [6][8]. Group 2: Dutch Bros - Dutch Bros operates drive-thru beverage locations, focusing on customer service and high-quality products, including coffee and energy drinks [9]. - The company reported a 5.6% increase in same-store sales last year, driven by a 3.2-percentage-point increase in customer traffic [9]. - Dutch Bros opened approximately 150 new locations last year, with over 1,100 locations across 25 states, highlighting its substantial growth potential, especially in underserved regions [11]. - Despite a 35.1% decline in stock price over the past year, the P/E ratio has decreased from 240 to a more reasonable 84, indicating a potential for better valuation [11].