Hold Chipotle, Buy Tim Hortons

Article Excerpt

CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL $46.69 (New York symbol CMG.B; SI Rating: Speculative) (303-595-4000; www.chipotle.com; Shares outstanding: 33 million; Market cap: $1.5 billion) is a Denver-based chain of Mexican restaurants. Founded in 1993, Chipotle (pronounced chi- POAT-lay) operates in the fast/casual dining segment, offering higher quality food, including naturally raised meat, and better decor and service than fast-food chains, at slightly higher prices. In the three months ended September 30, 2008, Chipotle’s revenues rose 18.9%, to $340.5 million from $286.4 million a year earlier. Most of the revenue growth came from new restaurant openings, although comparable same-store revenues were up 3.1%, as well. Same-store growth resulted mostly from menu price increases. The company opened 20 restaurants in the latest quarter. It currently has over 800 restaurants, including its first outside the United States, in Toronto, Canada. Chipotle plans to soon open a restaurant in London, England. Earnings fell 5.5% in the latest quarter, to $19.5 million or $0.59 a share, from $20.6 million or $0.63 a..