Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) AI Stock Analysis
CMG AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchChipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) operates a fast-casual restaurant chain known for customizable Mexican-inspired dishes. The company generated $12.42B in trailing twelve-month revenue with an operating margin of 16.1%, though quarterly earnings recently declined 1.3%. Shares trade at a trailing P/E of 27.4x following a 1-year share price return of -28.4%.
- Market cap
- $37.82B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $12.42B
- P/E
- 27.4x fwd 28.5x
- 1Y return
- -28.4% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $43.55 45.7% vs last close
Bull case
- Trailing twelve-month operating margin reached 16.1%, outpacing the S&P 500 Consumer Cyclical peer median of 13.6%.
- Analyst consensus targets a mean share price of $43.55, representing an upside of 45.7% from the last close of $29.89.
- Projections for the next fiscal year indicate EPS growth of 19.0% to $1.37 alongside revenue expansion to $14.44B.
Bear case
- Quarterly earnings fell 1.3% year-over-year in the quarter ended June 30, 2026.
- The balance sheet carries net debt of $4.75B and a current ratio of 0.72 as of June 30, 2026.
- Valuation multiples remain elevated, with an EV-to-EBITDA of 24.4x compared to the peer median of 13.2x.
What Chipotle does
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., along with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a fast-casual restaurant chain under the Chipotle Mexican Grill brand. Founded in 1993 and based in Newport Beach, California, the company provides customizable Mexican-inspired meals, including burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads made with responsibly sourced ingredients. Chipotle operates dining locations across the United States and internationally, serving customers through in-restaurant dining as well as digital ordering and delivery services.
Growth and profitability
Between FY2021 and FY2025, Chipotle expanded annual revenue from $7.55B to $11.93B, representing a 5-year revenue CAGR of 14.8%. However, annual revenue growth decelerated to 5.4% in FY2025 from 14.6% in FY2024. Operating margin improved from 10.7% in FY2021 to 16.9% in both FY2024 and FY2025, while net income reached $1.54B in FY2025 with an EPS of $1.16. For the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2026, revenue stood at $12.42B and EPS was $1.09. In the latest quarter, revenue grew 9.3% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings contracted by 1.3%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, Chipotle held $672.1M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $5.42B, resulting in net debt of $4.75B. Total assets were $8.86B and shareholders' equity was $2.20B, yielding a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.46 and a current ratio of 0.72. In FY2025, the company generated $2.11B in operating cash flow and $1.45B in free cash flow. Capital allocation in FY2025 included $666.3M in capital expenditures and $2.43B directed to share buybacks, contributing to a 5-year share count decline of 9.4%.
Valuation and performance
At a share price of $29.89 and a market capitalization of $37.82B, Chipotle trades at a trailing P/E of 27.4x and a forward P/E of 28.5x. These multiples stand above the median of its S&P 500 Consumer Cyclical peers, which record a trailing P/E of 19.7x and a forward P/E of 15.6x. The stock's enterprise value of $51.94B implies an EV-to-EBITDA of 24.4x, compared to the peer median of 13.2x. Over the past year, the stock returned -28.4%, while the SPY index gained 16.8%.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage includes 20 Strong Buy, 4 Buy, and 11 Hold ratings, with no Sell or Strong Sell recommendations. The mean price target is $43.55, which sits 45.7% above the last close of $29.89. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project revenue of $13.03B and an EPS of $1.15, a decrease of 1.8%. For the following fiscal year, 34 analysts anticipate revenue of $14.44B and EPS of $1.37. The company beat EPS estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings date is October 28, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Full-year FY2026 earnings are projected to decline 1.8% to an EPS of $1.15.
- Liquidity metrics show a current ratio of 0.72 and total debt of $5.42B against $672.1M in cash reserves.
- The stock has lagged broader markets, declining 28.4% over the past year while the S&P 500 gained 16.8%.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this CMG AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: CMG income statement, CMG balance sheet, CMG key metrics, CMG analyst forecast, CMG chart. See the CMG stock overview for the latest quote and news.
CMG AI stock analysis FAQ
Does Chipotle pay a dividend?
No, Chipotle Mexican Grill does not currently pay a dividend. Capital returns to shareholders have been conducted through share buybacks, which totaled $2.43B in FY2025.
What is Chipotle's net debt?
As of June 30, 2026, Chipotle reported net debt of $4.75B, based on $5.42B in total debt and $672.1M in cash and short-term investments.
What are analysts forecasting for Chipotle's earnings?
For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts estimate an EPS of $1.15, reflecting a 1.8% decline. For the next fiscal year, consensus forecasts call for EPS to rebound 19.0% to $1.37 on revenue of $14.44B.
When does Chipotle report earnings next?
Chipotle's next scheduled earnings date is October 28, 2026.