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Chipotle (CMG) Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Lag

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Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG - Free Report) released mixed second-quarter fiscal 2023 results, with earnings beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate and revenues missing the same. The top and the bottom line increased on a year-over-year basis.

Following the earnings release, shares of the company dropped 8.8% during the after-hours trading session on Jul 26, as lower-than-expected top-line hurt investor’s sentiments. Management cited headwinds related to food and labor inflation.

Q2 Earnings & Revenue Discussion   

In the quarter under review, Chipotle reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $12.65, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.25. The bottom line increased 36% from the $9.30 reported in the year-ago quarter.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Quote

 

Quarterly revenues of $2,514.8 million missed the consensus mark of $2,524 million. The top line increased 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. The upside can primarily be attributed to strong comparable restaurant sales growth and new restaurant openings. In the quarter under review, Chipotle opened 47 new restaurants.

Digital sales contributed 38% to total food and beverage revenues.

During the second quarter, comparable restaurant sales increased 7.4% year over year compared with 10.9% growth reported in the previous quarter. Our estimate for the metric was 6.3%.

Costs, Operating Highlights & Net Income

During second-quarter 2023, food, beverage and packaging costs, as a percentage of revenues, came in at 29.4%, down 100 basis points (bps) year over year. The cost improvement was backed by menu price increases and lower avocado prices. This was partially offset by higher costs in beef, tortillas, dairy, salsa, beans and rice. Our estimate for the metric was 29.2%.

During the reported quarter, the restaurant-level operating margin came in at 27.5%, up from 25.2% reported in the year-ago quarter. The uptick was primarily backed by sales leverage benefits and lower avocado prices. However, this was partially offset by wage inflation and higher food costs. Our estimate for restaurant-level operating margin was 26.9%.

Adjusted net income in the reported quarter amounted to $350.9 million compared with $261.2 reported million in the prior-year quarter. Our estimate for the metric was $320.3 million.

Balance Sheet

As of Jun 30, 2023, the company reported cash and cash equivalent of $504.9 million compared with $409.7 million as of Mar 31, 2023.

Inventory totaled $36 million as of Jun 30, 2023, compared with $34.6 million as of Mar 31, 2023. Goodwill (as a percentage of total assets) came in at 0.3% at the end of the second quarter of 2023.

During the second quarter, the company repurchased $87.6 million worth of stock at an average price of $1,937.35. As of Jun 30, the company had approximately $294.7 million available for the buyback program.

2023 Outlook

For third-quarter 2023, the company expects comps growth in the low to mid-single digit range.

For 2023, the company expects comps growth in the mid to high-single digit range. The company expects to open 255-285 new restaurants in 2023. It expects a 2023 tax rate in the range of 25-27%.

Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks

Chipotle currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Some other top-ranked stocks in the Zacks Retail – Restaurants industry include:

Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (PLAY - Free Report) sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). PLAY has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 6.8%, on average. Shares of PLAY have gained 28.8% in the past year. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PLAY’s 2024 sales and EPS indicates a rise of 17% and 29%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels.

BJ's Restaurants, Inc. (BJRI - Free Report) carries a Zacks Rank #2. BJRI has a long-term earnings growth rate of 15%. The stock has rallied 49.2% in the past year.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BJ's Restaurants’ 2023 sales and EPS suggests growth of 5.5% and 329.4%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels.

Chuy's Holdings, Inc. carries a Zacks Rank #2. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 23.4%, on average. Shares of CHUY have skyrocketed 90.9% in the past year.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chuy’s Holdings’ 2023 sales and EPS suggests growth of 9.9% and 27.7%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s levels.


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