Valuentum Exclusive Analysis for the Discerning Investor

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Image: Chipotle’s shares have surged to a 52-week high. We continue to like the company’s long-term market opportunity. 

Chipotle’s shares have surged past the high end of our fair value estimate range, but we expect to take another look at our valuation model to reflect greater confidence in an established restaurant concept that has plans to more than double its current store count in the longer run. Younger millennials and Generation Z (born 1997-2012) generally did not grow up when Yum Brands’ Taco Bell dominated Mexican cuisine, and many prefer Chipotle hands down. It’s probable, in our view, that Chipotle’s long-term target of 7,000 restaurants may also be conservative. Readers should expect us to increase our fair value estimate of Chipotle upon the next report update.