Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) has been going through an awkward phase: Its stock price has dropped along with investors’ appetites. However, Chipotle’s recent quarter shows that it isn’t done growing or excelling just yet.
In these choppy economic times, Chipotle’s numbers are “muy bien.” Net income increased 22.2% to $76.6 million, or $2.45 per share. Revenue increased 13.4% to $726.8 million. Although comparable-restaurant sales only inched up by 1%, these are still figures that most fast-food players would envy.
Going forward, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) has a few twists up its sleeve. It’s announced a new margarita offering in 900 restaurants that eschews a mix and uses a few simple ingredients like organic agave nectar and Patron Silver tequila in a handmade drink. Whether investors know it or not, alcohol isn’t a new offering — some Chipotle restaurants already offer beer and a less natural version of a margarita.
Chipotle has long been one of the few quick-serve restaurants that offer vegetarian-friendly customization, and it’s upping the ante by adding tofu to the menu. My colleague Rick Munarriz recently covered the expansion of its “Sofritas” tofu-stuffed burritos experiment to more restaurants in Northern California .
There are now 48 more Chipotle stores on the landscape, bringing the count to 1,458. Although many fret that the Chipotle concept may not have much farther to run, compare that figure to the 5,200 Taco Bell restaurants Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) has placed all over the U.S. consumer landscape .
Many Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) detractors have called Taco Bell a reasonable alternative and formidable rival, but I have long objected. They serve very different demographics, and Taco Bell’s is more likely to graduate to Chipotle than the other way around.
Plus, even if Chipotle aims to retain an air of specialness and keep its growth below that of Taco Bell, it can expand its operational expertise to other concepts. Take its slow rollout of ShopHouse East Asian Kitchen restaurants.
Last but not least, let’s emphasize once again that the latest quarter was by no means a given. Many consumers are finding themselves with less discretionary income. Even McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) has stumbled from its former might, and its long-popular Dollar Menu is no longer helping to shore up the fast-food giant’s well-being.
I’ve included Chipotle in the real-money Prosocial Portfolio I’m managing for Fool.com. Granted, it’s been in the red ever since. However, I plan to hold through thick and thin unless the company starts to show signs of seriously losing its way. As far as I can tell, Chipotle’s on target just as it’s always been.
Dig into Chipotle
Chipotle’s stock has been on an absolute tear since the company went public in 2006. Unfortunately, 2012 hasn’t been kind to its stock, as investors question whether its growth has come to an end. Fool analyst Jason Moser’s new premium research report analyzes the burrito maker’s situation and answers the question investors are asking: Can Chipotle still grow? If you own or are considering owning shares in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG), you’ll want to click here now and get started!
The article Chipotle’s All About Good Taste originally appeared on Fool.com.
Alyce Lomax owns shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill and McDonald’s. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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