Popular menus give these two an edge

Article Excerpt

CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL $104.46 (New York symbol CMG; SI Rating: Speculative) (303-595-4000; www.chipotle.com; Shares outstanding: 31.5 million; Market cap: $3.3 billion; No dividends paid) is a Denver-based Mexican-restaurant chain. Founded in 1993, Chipotle (pronounced chi-POATlay) charges slightly higher prices than fast-food chains, but offers higher-quality food, including naturally raised meat, and better decor and service. Chipotle has 956 restaurants, including its first outside of the U.S., in Toronto. In April, Chipotle plans to open a restaurant in London, England. In the three months ended December 31, 2009, Chipotle’s revenue rose 12.2%, to $387.5 million from $345.3 million a year earlier. The company opened 121 new restaurants in 2009. New restaurants accounted for most of the revenue growth. But same-restaurant revenue was up 2% in the latest quarter, as well, mainly because Chipotle raised its prices. Earnings rose 86.2% in the latest quarter, to $31.6 million, or $1.00 a share, from $17 million, or $0.52 a share. Lower costs (including labour) were the…