Fast-food leaders with more growth ahead

Article Excerpt

With the outbreak of COVID-19, shares of Chipotle and Restaurant Brands dropped alongside the market. But the two fast-food giants used smart strategies to support their businesses during the pandemic. Both are trading at all-time highs for our subscribers—and we think they still have further gains ahead. Each is a buy. CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, $2,620.19, is a buy. The company (New York symbol CMG; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (www.chipotle.com; Shares outstanding: 27.4 million; Market cap: $71.3 billion; No dividends paid.) is a fast-food leader charging slightly higher prices than its competitors but offering better quality food, including naturally raised meat. In the quarter ended December 31, 2023, sales were up 15.4%, to $2.52 billion from $2.18 billion a year earlier. Comparable sales rose 8.4%. Per-share earnings rose 25.0%, to $10.36 from $8.29, along with the increased sales and lower costs. The company opened 121 new restaurants in the quarter (for a total of 3,437), including 110 with drive-thru Chipotlanes. Those are convenient for customers, boost restaurant sales,…