Chipotle
Third-quarter net income increased 39.9% to $48.2 million, or $1.52 per share. Revenue surged 23% to $476.9 million. Restaurant comparable-store sales increased an impressive 11.4%.
Here's another reason for investors to stand up and cheer for Chipotle. The company's strong growth largely resulted from increased customer traffic -- exactly what we want to see from a restaurant company right now. Those new customers helped drive restaurant-level operating margin up 220 basis points, to 27.7%.
Chipotle's former parent, McDonald's
There's no guarantee that every restaurant will outperform right now. Take Sonic
I'd also be wary of investing in pricier, sit-down restaurants in this penny-pinching consumer climate. Ruth's Hospitality
Chipotle gives little reason for such caution, thanks to its strong quarterly results and superb operations. That said, investors should note that its price-to-earnings ratio does look high at 34 times earnings; one can snap up McDonald's for a far cheaper 18 times earnings.
Still, Chipotle's spicy growth and appetizing business concept might give investors good reason to choke down that premium price and bite into this very tasty stock.