Repeat & Correct: Chipotle Mexican Grill Posts Higher 2Q Sales, Driven by New Restaurant Openings

"Chipotle Mexican Grill Posts Higher 2Q Sales, Driven by New Restaurant Openings," at 4:10 p.m. ET, included comments incorrectly attributed to Chipotle Mexican Grill Chief Executive Scott Boatwright, which have been removed. The correct version follows.

By Grace Yoon

Chipotle Mexican Grill raised its comparable sales guidance as it posted higher sales in its second quarter, fueled by new restaurant openings.

The Mexican-inspired fast-casual chain reported a profit of $403.5 million, or 32 cents a share, compared with $436.1 million, or 32 cents a share, a year earlier.

Adjusted earnings per share were flat at 33 cents, topping analyst expectations for 32 cents, according to FactSet.

Revenue rose 9.3% to $3.35 billion. Analysts polled by FactSet expected $3.33 billion. The revenue growth was driven by new restaurant openings and, to a lesser extent, comparable restaurant sales, the company said.

Comparable restaurant sales rose 2.2%, consisting of a 1.2% increase in average check and a 1% increase in transactions.

Chipotle opened 100 restaurants in the quarter, 80 of which include a drive-through pickup lane for customers to collect orders placed ahead of time, and one international partner-operated restaurant.

Food, beverage, and packing costs were nearly 30% of total revenue, compared with 29% a year earlier. The increase was driven by inflation in beef and freight prices, and higher protein and produce usage, but partially offset by menu price increases and lower avocado and dairy costs.

Chief Executive Scott Boatwright said the company would focus on menu innovation, deepening engagement with Chipotle rewards and expanding opportunities to serve more group occasions.

For fiscal 2026, Chipotle forecast same-store sales to be in the low-single-digit range, up from a previous outlook of flat comparable sales for the year. Analysts are expecting 1.4%. The company forecasts 350 to 370 new restaurant openings for the full year, which include 10 to 15 international partner-operated restaurants.

The earnings come as the new cyclospora outbreak, which is primarily linked to shredded iceberg lettuce, have put downward pressure on shares of Chipotle and its competitors Cava, Sweetgreen and Yum Brands.

Write to Grace Yoon at grace.yoon@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 29, 2026 18:13 ET (22:13 GMT)