Where Will Chipotle Mexican Grill Be in 1 Year?

By Neil Patel – Feb 20, 2026 at 6:50AM ESTKey PointsChipotle will continue to open new stores rapidly, which will support higher revenue. The business is focused on menu innovation, customer loyalty, and operational improvements. The stock’s beaten-down valuation means there could be near-term upside. These 10 Stocks Could Mint the Next Wave of Millionaires ›NYSE: CMGChipotle Mexican GrillMarket Cap$49BToday's Changeangle-down(-1.94%) $0.75Current Price$37.97Price as of February 19, 2026 at 3:58 PM ETInvestors want to forget about the restaurant stock's 36% trailing-12-month decline.Hungry investors aren't getting the satisfaction they need from Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG 1.94%). The restaurant stock has fallen 36% in the past 12 months (as of Feb. 16). This is out of character for a business that was once a darling on Wall Street. Chipotle continues to deal with softer foot traffic at its stores, which has pressured the share price. But where will this consumer discretionary stock be one year from now? Image source: Getty Images. Management will keep driving growth The business ended last year with 4,042 company-owned stores. It plans to open 350 to 370 new locations this year. And the leadership team is standing firm on its belief that in the long run, there will be 7,000 restaurants in North America. Clearly, Chipotle is staring at a sizable runway for expansion. This doesn't include partnerships to open stores in certain foreign markets. Chipotle had 14 stores in the Middle East at year-end. And with its various partners, it will open in Mexico, South Korea, and Singapore in 2026. Excluding a severe recession that completely dampens consumer spending, it's almost a certainty that Chipotle will be collecting more revenue and profit in a year. New initiatives remain a priority Restaurant chains aren't necessarily known for being inventive. But Chipotle's management is focused on initiatives to support the company's long-term success. One area is new menu items. The business introduced a high-protein lineup in December. And after the reintroduction of chicken al pastor this month, Chipotle plans to do three more limited-time offers in 2026. That's up from two limited-time proteins per year in the past. The loyalty program is getting refreshed as well. Chipotle wants to expand the reach of the rewards system with a goal to target in-person guests. There's always room to improve operations. Chipotle is investing in upgraded kitchen equipment that can save hours of prep time each day. CEO Scott Boatwright said on the fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call that "350 restaurants have the full equipment package today, and we anticipate about 2,000 by year-end." ExpandNYSE: CMGChipotle Mexican GrillToday's Change(-1.94%) $-0.75Current Price$37.97Key Data PointsMarket Cap$49BDay's Range$37.51 - $38.5952wk Range$29.75 - $58.42Volume423KAvg Vol19MGross Margin22.35% Does Chipotle's valuation offer upside? With the shares getting clobbered, trading 47% below their peak, investors are looking at a more compelling valuation than they might be used to. The stock can be bought right now at a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.8. That's down significantly from 51.2 exactly one year ago. This starting valuation can introduce near-term upside should the business start getting back to solid same-store sales growth sooner rather than later. That's not a sure thing, though, as ongoing traffic pressures could remain longer than anticipated. Read NextFeb 17, 2026 •By Brett SchaferRestaurant Stocks See Traffic-Driven Rotation as Dining Patterns ShiftFeb 15, 2026 •By Neil PatelWhat Was Once One of the Hottest Consumer Stocks Issues a Warning to Wall StreetFeb 14, 2026 •By Lawrence NgaChipotle Must Prove Growth Still Creates Shareholder ValueFeb 12, 2026 •By Neil PatelChipotle's CEO Just Admitted the Company Is Staring at a $28 Billion OpportunityFeb 11, 2026 •By Neil PatelDown 43%, This Beaten-Down Stock Could Skyrocket Over the Next 5 Years for 1 ReasonFeb 10, 2026 •By Lawrence Nga2026: Chipotle Must Prove Traffic Weakness Is Cyclical, Not StructuralAbout the AuthorNeil Patel is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering consumer staples, consumer discretionary, financials, information technology, and communication services. Prior to The Motley Fool, Neil worked in corporate finance roles at JPMorgan Chase and Capital One. He also has experience working on a start-up in the cryptocurrency space. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in finance from Ohio State University.TMFNeilPatelStocks MentionedChipotle Mexican GrillNYSE: CMG$37.97 (1.94%) $0.75*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.