Chipotle might finally have bottomed after falling about 50% to a more reasonable valuation, though it is still not a classic cheap stock. EPS is forecast to grow 15-20% while the stock trades at 25x 2027 EPS targets. x.comÂ
Stone Fox Capital
Founder, CIO & Portfolio Manager of Stone Fox Capital
The quarter was a grind, with too much work and many mistakes, but the results were pleasing. x.comÂ
Chipotle finally offers a margin of safety, because the market is fixated on slowing growth, weaker traffic and higher labor and beef costs while ignoring future growth. It trades at 28x earnings versus a historical 51x, revenue still grew 7.5% last quarter, and analysts expect earnings growth of 29% in 2027 and 35% in 2028, backed by an industry-leading brand and exceptional unit economics. If traffic stabilizes and margins hold, multiple expansion alone could drive strong returns. x.comÂ
Chipotle looks expensive on a levels-only valuation screen: at $31.50 it is 77% above the $17.82 upper end of a $14.00-$17.82 fair range. The accompanying screen uses a 1.37 PEG on 9% growth alongside 23x forward earnings; this is based on reported estimates, not fundamental diligence. x.comÂ
Chipotle was oversold on the jalapeno scare and is recovering, up 16% in 10 days. It can probably reach $40. x.comÂ
A Starbucks takeover of Chipotle would be a warning sign: an underperforming company chasing far-from-obvious synergies risks distraction when it needs leadership, product innovation and better merchandising. Chipotle bowls at Starbucks or supply-chain gains look insignificant, and the deal may be CEO Brian Niccol's best chance of keeping his job after two weak years. Per the Financial Times, Starbucks has worked with advisers on a proposal, about $41 billion at Chipotle's current price. x.com … Show more
Chipotle's comparable sales trend is worrying heading into earnings, and the chart is ugly. It is trying to win back customers by raising prices more slowly than inflation. Any sign of a real comeback in traffic would be a huge win. x.comÂ
Cava Group trades at the EV/sales multiple where Chipotle peaked, despite vastly inferior unit economics. The persistent bid under the stock is ridiculous. A post the author replies to notes Chipotle's permabid lasted six years, about as far as the fast-casual concept can run before gravity resumes. x.com x.comÂ
Cava Group's valuation is hard to justify for a restaurant chain at 74x 2028 earnings, a multiple even Chipotle never reached during its hypergrowth phase. That holds even though, as @Brian_Stoffel_ notes, Cava's same-store sales rose about 10%, well ahead of its closest competition, with traffic up about 7%. x.comÂ
Restaurant stocks, including Chipotle and Wingstop, are uninvestable right now, with too many better places for money. Most have slowing growth, rising costs and poor margins. Wingstop's growth and margins look better than most, but it is still not a buy. x.com x.comÂ
Cava's share price looks out of line with the restaurant sector. Restaurants are carnage right now, with Chipotle back at $32, so there is little reason for Cava to hold up here. x.comÂ