Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (CMG) Stock Outlook: Don’t Miss the Point

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (NYSE:CMG) is one of the best large cap stocks to buy in 2026 according to billionaire Dan Loeb. The Street sees Chipotle stock gaining more than 30% over the next 12 months.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (CMG) Stock Outlook: Don’t Miss the Point

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On May 4, Argus upgraded Chipotle’s stock rating to Buy from Hold and set a price target of $40. The price target indicates substantial upside to the stock’s current price of around $32.

Argus believes Chipotle will surpass its 2026 comparable store sales guidance. Additionally, the firm is confident the restaurant chain can achieve its long-term growth goals as it continues to expand.

For 2026, Chipotle expects comparable store sales to be flat, but Argus views this as cautious guidance as it expects sales to accelerate in the remainder of the year. The chain plans to open 350 to 370 new stores in 2026.

Argus projects EPS of $1.20 for Chipotle in 2026 and EPS of $1.35 in 2027. The firm believes Chipotle can hit its long-term goal of high-single-digit revenue growth, mid-single-digit comparable sales growth, and mid-teens operating margins.

In Q1 2026, Chipotle’s revenue increased 7.4% YoY to $3.1 billion. Comparable restaurant sales rose 0.5% YoY.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (NYSE:CMG) runs a food services business. It operates a network of fast-casual restaurants offering burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads. The company is expanding its global footprint, including a recent entry into the Asian market.

While we acknowledge the risk and potential of CMG as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CMG and that has 10,000% upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

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