Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG): The 4 Pillars Driving This Company to Market-Thumping Returns

More than one way to roll a burrito?
This doesn’t all mean that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) has figured out some magical formula in regard to throughput. It’s focusing on what works for its particular model. As recently as last quarter, Panera Bread Co (NASDAQ:PNRA), for example, noted that it had around 50 initiatives being tested around the country in regard to improving throughput. Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX), on the other hand, continues to focus on technology as a major driver of transaction growth. In fact, just last quarter, management noted that the company is approaching 4 million U.S. mobile payment transactions per week, accounting for roughly 10% of total U.S. tender.

Four pillars, a burrito, and some killer returns
One glaringly obvious point is that there’s more than one way to improve throughput, just as there’s more than one way to invest. A lot depends on what the business is trying to provide in the first place. But it’s crystal clear that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) is putting its money where its mouth is and betting on these four pillars. And based on the model that CEO Steve Ells has just about perfected, in my opinion, I think that’s a bet worth making.

The article The 4 Pillars Driving This Company to Market-Thumping Returns originally appeared on Fool.com.

Jason Moser owns shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Starbucks, and Panera Bread. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Panera Bread, and Starbucks.

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