- Revenue Growth and EPS Increase Full-year revenue grew 5.4% YoY to $3.0 billion, with adjusted diluted EPS rising 4.5% to $1.17.
- Store Expansion Acceleration Opened 334 new company-owned restaurants and 11 international partner-operated locations in 2025.
- Digital Sales Momentum Digital sales accounted for 37.2% of total sales in Q4, reflecting strong adoption of digital platforms.
- Margin Pressure and Cost Management Restaurant-level margin declined 140 bps to 23.4% in Q4, partly offset by a $27 million gift card true-up benefit.
- Share Buybacks and Liquidity Executed $2.4 billion in share repurchases in 2025 at an average price of $42.54, with $1.7 billion remaining under the authorization.
Revenue Growth and Margin Analysis
The company's revenue growth was driven by a record 334 new company-owned restaurants and 11 international partner-operated restaurants. However, comparable sales decline and higher labor and operating costs put pressure on margins. The restaurant-level margin decline was partially offset by a 70 basis point benefit from a $27 million gift card true-up.
Guidance and Outlook
Chipotle expects full-year comparable restaurant sales to be about flat in 2026, with pricing to be in the 1% to 2% range and inflation to be closer to 3% to 4%. The company is confident in its recipe for growth strategy and expects meaningful improvement and underlying trends to continue after the launch of its new protein menu and marketing campaign.
Valuation Metrics
Analysts estimate next year's revenue growth at 11.2%. The current P/E Ratio is 34.04, indicating a relatively high valuation. The EV/EBITDA ratio is 24.18, and the ROE is 44.23%. These metrics suggest that the market is pricing in strong growth expectations for Chipotle.
Growth Strategy and Initiatives
Chipotle's growth strategy includes investing in operational excellence, accelerating innovation, and growing its global footprint. The company is also focusing on menu innovation, including the launch of a new protein menu, and expanding its digital commerce capabilities. As Scott Boatwright mentioned, "We're not discounting the product with our protein menu, but celebrating it."
International Expansion
The company is expanding its international presence, with a focus on markets such as Benelux, the Nordics, Poland, or Spain. Chipotle is confident that its growth rate will continue to build returns in the 60% range and will not negatively impact the core business.