A buyer prepares to eat on the first Chipotle fast-food restaurant in northeastern Mexico on its opening day in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico, July 16, 2026.
Daniel Becerril | Reuters
Chipotle Mexican Grill on Wednesday raised its same-store gross sales development forecast for the yr after topping analysts’ quarterly earnings and income expectations.
The restaurant firm is now projecting that its same-store gross sales will improve by a low single digit proportion in 2026, greater than its earlier outlook of flat same-store gross sales for the complete yr.
After a shaky 2025, Chipotle is efficiently luring clients again — even with spiking gasoline costs and different greater prices pressuring eating budgets.
“We’re seeing encouraging progress as a result of we’re centered on the best development drivers—bringing significant menu innovation to our company, deepening engagement by Chipotle Rewards, elevating hospitality in each restaurant, and increasing alternatives to serve extra group events,” CEO Scott Boatwright stated in a press release.
The report got here amid heightened scrutiny of meals security at chains serving recent lettuce as a result of U.S. cyclospora outbreak. Firm executives on a name with analysts stated that Chipotle “maintains a really strong meals security program.” The corporate stated its lettuce is sourced from California and isn’t impacted by the outbreak.
Nonetheless, Chipotle stated the cyclospora outbreak had a couple of 2 proportion level impression on gross sales within the second half of July, which it included into its steerage.
Here is what the corporate reported in contrast with what Wall Avenue was anticipating, primarily based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:
- Earnings per share: 33 cents adjusted vs. 32 cents anticipated
- Income: $3.35 billion vs. $3.33 billion anticipated
The corporate’s inventory climbed about 6% in prolonged buying and selling.
Chipotle reported second-quarter internet earnings of $403.5 million, or 32 cents per share, down from $436.1 million, or 32 cents per share, a yr earlier. Excluding impairment and restructuring prices and different gadgets, the corporate earned 33 cents per share.
Income climbed 9.3% to $3.35 billion.
Similar-store gross sales rose 2.2%, lifted by a 1% improve in site visitors to eating places. Complete verify dimension inched up 1.2% in contrast with the year-ago interval.
On a name with analysts, Boatwright stated the corporate’s efficiency was pushed by power in its seasonal Chipotle Honey Hen and just lately launched cilantro lime sauce, in addition to its rewards program.
Boatwright additionally stated Chipotle’s menu innovation had an “outsized impression” on it successful over each youthful shoppers and lower-income diners.
“We consider Chipotle continues to supply one of many strongest worth propositions within the trade,” Boatwright stated on the decision.
Throughout the quarter, Chipotle opened 100 new places and one worldwide restaurant operated by a associate.