Chipotle struggles onward

Article Excerpt

CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL $320.13 (New York symbol CMG; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (303-595-4000; www.chipotle.com; Shares outstanding: 28.5 million; Market cap: $9.1 billion; No dividend) continues its fight to rebuild customer traffic after its 2015 E. coli and norovirus outbreaks. That recovery was further challenged by the July 2017 closure of another Chipotle restaurant in Sterling, Virginia; more than 100 diners fell ill in a norovirus outbreak. A month later, in August 2017, Chipotle shut down one of its Dallas restaurants after a patron shot video of rats crawling on the floor. Chipotle has implemented highly publicized food-safety training for its employees. While it should eventually win back its customers and improve sales, a turnaround will still take time. Chipotle is a hold. hold…