SHAK

Chipotle’s Transaction Growth Returns to Positive in First Quarter

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Image Source: TradingView By Brian Nelson, CFA Chipotle (CMG) recently reported first-quarter 2026 results that were mixed. The company beat expectations on the top line, but non-GAAP earnings per share came in in-line with expectations. Total revenue increased 7.4%, to $3.1 billion, thanks to new restaurant openings and, to a lesser extent, comparable restaurant sales growth of 0.5%, better than the consensus estimate calling for a decline of 0.9%. In the quarter, Chipotle benefited from higher transactions of 0.6%, which was offset in part by a 0.1% decline in average check. Margins faced pressure in the quarter due to inflation in beef and freight, higher produce usage, and increased labor costs. Adjusted net income for the first quarter of 2026 … Read more

Chipotle Now Expects Flat Comps for 2025

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Image Source: Valuentum By Brian Nelson, CFA On July 23, Chipotle (CMG) reported disappointing second quarter results with non-GAAP earnings per share coming in line with the consensus forecast, but revenue missing what the Street was looking for. Total revenue increased 3% in the quarter thanks to new restaurant openings, but comparable restaurant sales fell 4% due to lower transactions, and its operating margin dropped to 18.2%, down from 19.7% in the prior-year period. The Street had been looking for a 2.9% decline in comp sales in the quarter. Restaurant level operating margins fell to 27.4% from 28.9% in last year’s quarter. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.33 in the quarter, down 2.9% from the second quarter of last … Read more

Chipotle Targets 7,000 Restaurants in North America

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By Brian Nelson, CFA Chipotle (CMG) reported mixed third quarter results October 29 with revenue coming in a bit light relative to expectations and non-GAAP earnings per share outpacing the consensus forecast. Total revenue increased 13% in the quarter thanks to a 6% increase in comparable restaurant sales and new restaurant openings. Comparable restaurant sales missed the consensus estimate calling for 6.4% growth. Still, Chipotle’s comparable restaurant sales growth consisted of higher transactions of 3.3% and a 2.7% increase in average check, a combination we view positively. The burrito-maker’s operating margin was 16.9% in the quarter (consensus was at 15.7%), up from 16%, while adjusted diluted earnings per share came in at $0.27, up from $0.23 in the prior-year period. … Read more

6%+ Dividend Yielder Cracker Barrel Needs to Raise Menu Prices More Aggressively

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By Brian Nelson, CFA Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (CBRL) is a high-yielding restaurant idea with a unique concept that has fallen on more difficult times of late. Our recent channel checks indicate that Cracker Barrel has a lot of room to raise prices versus peers, but the firm is having a hard time executing on this front as overall traffic trends remain challenged. Right now, Cracker Barrel yields ~6.3%, and if the company can turn things around, it might make for one of the most interesting income ideas on the market. The high end of our fair value estimate range of Cracker Barrel stands north of $100 (its shares are trading at ~$80 each), but investors should remain cautious … Read more

Domino’s Longer Term Growth Runway Intact, Chipotle’s Free Cash Flow Remains Robust

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Image Source: Domino’s Pizza Inc – 2022 ICR Conference Presentation By Callum Turcan Domino’s Pizza Inc (DPZ) is contending with serious inflationary pressures and headwinds from changing consumer spending habits as the worst of the coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) pandemic fades. We continue to view the firm’s longer term outlook quite favorably and appreciate its franchise-heavy business model (~98% of its stores are franchised), which enables Domino’s to generate substantial free cash flows in almost any operating environment. Our fair value estimate for Domino’s sits at $517 per share, and we include shares of DPZ as an idea in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio. Shares of DPZ yield ~1.3% as of this writing, offering incremental income generation upside potential to its favorable … Read more

Best Idea Domino’s Is Incredibly Shareholder Friendly

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Image Shown: Domino’s Pizza Inc is incredibly shareholder friendly. Image Source: Domino’s Pizza Inc – Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2021 IR Earnings Presentation By Callum Turcan Domino’s Pizza Inc (DPZ) is one of our favorite restaurant franchises. We include Domino’s as an idea in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio as we are huge fans of its asset-light business model, strong free cash flow generating abilities, bright growth outlook, and shareholder friendly management team. Our fair value estimate for Domino’s sits at $517 per share, substantially above where shares of DPZ are trading at as of this writing. Additionally, shares of DPZ yield a modest ~1.1% as of this writing, and its dividend program offers incremental upside to the potential return … Read more

Chipotle Sees Bigger Unit Growth Opportunity in North America, Continued Pricing Power

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Image: Chipotle’s shares look like they are poised to break out of a downtrend on news that its long-term unit restaurant opportunity is bigger than expected and that its pricing power remains intact. By Brian Nelson, CFA Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) and Domino’s Pizza Inc. (DPZ) are two of our favorite restaurant ideas, with the former and Yum Brands’ (YUM) helping to drive restaurant stocks higher after the market’s reaction to their respective calendar fourth-quarter reports during the trading session February 9, 2022. Year-to-date, the AdvisorShares Restaurant ETF (EATZ) has held up better than most other investable areas, down modestly, and we think the relative strength is a big win for investors in the restaurant sector in light of … Read more

Best Idea Domino’s Has a Massive Growth Runway

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Image Source: Domino’s Pizza Inc – Third Quarter of Fiscal 2021 IR Earnings Presentation By Callum Turcan Domino’s Pizza Inc (DPZ) runs a great business. Most of its store locations are franchised (~98% as of September 2021), meaning inflation cost headwinds fall more squarely on its franchisees. The company has put up great same store sales performance on both a domestic and international basis in recent fiscal years, and it continues to have an immense growth runway. Domino’s is a stellar generator of free cash flow, too, thanks to its asset light revenue model. We include shares of Domino’s as an idea in the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio.  The restaurant franchise space is appealing because these companies have asset-light business … Read more

ICYMI: Valuentum’s Brian Nelson on the Latest Howard Marks’ Memo: “Something of Value”

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Valuentum’s President of Investment Research Brian Michael Nelson, CFA, explains why there are not really value and growth stocks, why most of the research in quantitative finance is spurious and needs to be redefined on a forward-looking basis, and why enterprise valuation (not the efficient markets hypothesis) should be the organizing principle of finance. Nelson explains his views about valuation, what it means to be a value investor, and investing in the context of Oaktree Capital Howard Marks’ latest memo, “Something of Value,” January 11, 2021. Please don’t forget to give the second edition of the book “Value Trap” a 5-star rating on Amazon here. Thank you for your membership! —– Tickerized for holdings in the IWM. Valuentum members have … Read more

Chipotle, Domino’s Continue to Deliver for Shareholders

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Image Shown: Domino’s Pizza Inc aims to grow its market share in the US by leaning heavily on its delivery and digital operations, a realm the firm has significant competitive advantages in, as compared to leaning on carryout operations at physical stores. Image Source: Domino’s Pizza Inc – January 2021 IR Presentation By Callum Turcan In the restaurant industry, one thing the coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) pandemic has made clear is that having drive thru operations, a strong online presence and efficient delivery services will be key to meeting consumer demand going forward. Physical restaurant locations that rely on indoor dinning will become relevant once again when the pandemic is contained, something the ongoing distribution of COVID-19 vaccines should help accomplish, but … Read more