Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Results

2012-02-02

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Chipotle Revenue for the quarter was $596.7 million, up 23.7% from the prior year period. The growth in revenue was the result of new restaurants not in the comparable base and an 11.1% increase in comparable restaurant sales. Comparable restaurant sales growth was primarily driven by increased traffic in the quarter as well as the impact of menu price increases implemented between March and August.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011.

“Our accomplishments this year were truly amazing. Empowered cultures create excellent teams. These excellent teams are exciting, productive and powerful. They attract great employees and develop them to be at their very best, and they become the future leaders within our organization”

Highlights for the fourth quarter of 2011 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 include:

Revenue increased 23.7% to $596.7 million
Comparable restaurant sales increased 11.1%
Restaurant level operating margin was 26.1%, an increase of 20 basis points
Food costs were 32.2% of sales, an increase of 120 basis points driven by higher commodity costs
Net income was $57.5 million, an increase of 23.7%
Diluted earnings per share was $1.81, an increase of 23.1%

Highlights for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the prior year include:

Revenue increased 23.6% to $2.27 billion
Comparable restaurant sales increased 11.2%
Restaurant level operating margin was 26.0%, a decrease of 70 basis points
Food costs were 32.5% of sales, an increase of 190 basis points driven by higher commodity costs
Net income was $214.9 million, an increase of 20.1%
Diluted earnings per share was $6.76, an increase of 19.9%

"During 2011, we remained focused on our mission to change the way the world thinks about and eats fast food, while continuing to strengthen our people culture and our unit economic model. Our success is rooted in serving great tasting food and it has been since day one. Our sourcing of food made from the finest ingredients, which is raised with respect for the animals, the environment, and the farmers is at the heart of that effort,” said Steve Ells, Founder, Chairman and Co-CEO of Chipotle.

Results for the fourth quarter 2011

Revenue for the quarter was $596.7 million, up 23.7% from the prior year period. The growth in revenue was the result of new restaurants not in the comparable base and an 11.1% increase in comparable restaurant sales. Comparable restaurant sales growth was primarily driven by increased traffic in the quarter as well as the impact of menu price increases implemented between March and August.

During the quarter we opened 67 new restaurants, bringing the total restaurant count to 1,230.

Restaurant level operating margin was 26.1% in the quarter, an increase of 20 basis points from the prior year period. The increase was primarily driven by the impact of comparable restaurant sales growth which was partially offset by higher food costs.

G&A costs were 6.4% of revenue, up 40 basis points from the prior year period. The increase as a percent of revenue was primarily driven by an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation expense.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $57.5 million, or $1.81 per diluted share, compared to $46.4 million, or $1.47 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Results for the full year ended December 31, 2011

Revenue for the full year of 2011 was $2.27 billion, up 23.6% from the prior year. The growth in revenue was the result of new restaurants not in the comparable base and an 11.2% increase in comparable restaurant sales. Comparable restaurant sales growth was primarily driven by increased traffic, and to a lesser extent, by menu price increases.

For the full year, Chipotle opened 150 new restaurants including one ShopHouse, and one Chipotle in London, bringing the total restaurant count to 1,230.

Restaurant level operating margin was 26.0% for the full year of 2011, a decrease of 70 basis points from the prior year. The decrease was primarily driven by higher food costs, partially offset by the impact of leverage from higher restaurant sales.

G&A costs for the full year of 2011 were 6.6% of revenue, up 10 basis points from the prior year period primarily due to higher non-cash stock based compensation expense which was partially offset by greater sales leverage.

Net income for the full year of 2011 was $214.9 million, or $6.76 per diluted share, compared to $179.0 million, or $5.64 per diluted share, for 2010.

Our Board of Directors has approved the expenditure of up to an additional $100 million to repurchase shares of our common stock exclusive of commissions. This repurchase agreement may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time.

“Our accomplishments this year were truly amazing. Empowered cultures create excellent teams. These excellent teams are exciting, productive and powerful. They attract great employees and develop them to be at their very best, and they become the future leaders within our organization,” commented Co-CEO Monty Moran.

Outlook

For 2012, management expects the following:

155-165 new restaurant openings
Mid-single digit comparable restaurant sales growth
Food inflation of mid-single digits from the fourth quarter food cost level
An effective tax rate of approximately 39.3%

Definitions

The following definitions apply to these terms as used throughout this release:

Comparable restaurant sales increases represent the change in period-over-period sales for the comparable restaurant base. A restaurant becomes comparable in its 13^th full calendar month of operation.

Average restaurant sales refers to the average trailing 12-month sales for restaurants in operation for at least 12 full calendar months.

Restaurant level operating margin represents total revenue less restaurant operating costs, expressed as a percent of total revenue.

About Chipotle

Steve Ells, Founder, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience. Today, Chipotle continues to offer a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and salads made from fresh, high-quality raw ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in a distinctive atmosphere. Through our vision of Food With Integrity, Chipotle is seeking better food from using ingredients that are not only fresh, but that where possible are sustainably grown and naturally raised with respect for the animals, the land, and the farmers who produce the food. A similarly focused people culture, with an emphasis on identifying and empowering top performing employees, enables us to develop future leaders from within. Chipotle opened its first restaurant in 1993 and currently operates over 1,200 restaurants.


Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
(unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data)


	Three months ended December 31,
	2011					2010

Revenue	$	596,749		100.0	%	$	482,521		100.0	%

Restaurant operating costs (Exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below):
Food, beverage and packaging		191,898		32.2			149,589		31.0
Labor		142,080		23.8			119,532		24.8
Occupancy		38,647		6.5			33,977		7.0
Other operating costs		68,435		11.5			54,281		11.2
General and administrative expenses		37,988		6.4			28,733		6.0
Depreciation and amortization		19,198		3.2			17,815		3.7
Pre-opening costs		3,145		0.5			2,598		0.5
Loss on disposal of assets		1,490		0.2			2,004		0.4
Total operating expenses		502,881		84.3			408,529		84.7
Income from operations		93,868		15.7			73,992		15.3

Interest and other income		571		0.1			402		0.1
Interest and other expense		(157	)	0.0			(91	)	0.0
Income before income taxes		94,282		15.8			74,303		15.4
Provision for income taxes		(36,809	)	(6.2	)		(27,858	)	(5.8	)
Net income	$	57,473		9.6	%	$	46,445		9.6	%

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	1.84				$	1.50
Diluted	$	1.81				$	1.47
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		31,281					31,054
Diluted		31,784					31,702

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Income (in thousands, except per share data)


	Year ended December 31,
	2011					2010

Revenue	$	2,269,548		100.0	%	$	1,835,922		100.0	%

Restaurant operating costs (Exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below):
Food, beverage and packaging		738,720		32.5			561,107		30.6
Labor		543,119		23.9			453,573		24.7
Occupancy		147,274		6.5			128,933		7.0
Other operating costs		251,208		11.1			202,904		11.1
General and administrative expenses		149,426		6.6			118,590		6.5
Depreciation and amortization		74,938		3.3			68,921		3.8
Pre-opening costs		8,495		0.4			7,767		0.4
Loss on disposal of assets		5,806		0.3			6,296		0.3
Total operating expenses		1,918,986		84.6			1,548,091		84.3
Income from operations		350,562		15.4			287,831		15.7

Interest and other income		2,088		0.1			1,499		0.1
Interest and other expense		(2,945	)	(0.1	)		(269	)	0.0
Income before income taxes		349,705		15.4			289,061		15.7
Provision for income taxes		(134,760	)	(5.9	)		(110,080	)	(6.0	)
Net income	$	214,945		9.5	%	$	178,981		9.7	%

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	6.89				$	5.73
Diluted	$	6.76				$	5.64
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		31,217					31,234
Diluted		31,775					31,735

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheet (in thousands, except per share data)

	December 31,
	2011			2010

Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	401,243		$	224,838
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $208 and $102 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively		8,389			5,658
Inventory		8,913			7,098
Current deferred tax asset		6,238			4,317
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		21,404			16,016
Income tax receivable		--			23,528
Investments		55,005			124,766
Total current assets		501,192			406,221
Leasehold improvements, property and equipment, net		751,951			676,881
Long term investments		128,241			-
Other assets		21,985			16,564
Goodwill		21,939			21,939
Total assets	$	1,425,308		$	1,121,605
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	46,382		$	33,705
Accrued payroll and benefits		60,241			50,336
Accrued liabilities		46,456			38,892
Current portion of deemed landlord financing		133			121
Income tax payable		4,241			--
Total current liabilities		157,453			123,054
Deferred rent		143,284			123,667
Deemed landlord financing		3,529			3,661
Deferred income tax liability		64,381			50,525
Other liabilities		12,435			9,825
Total liabilities		381,082			310,732
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 600,000 shares authorized, no shares issued as of December 31, 2011 and 2010		—			—
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 230,000 shares authorized, 34,357 and 33,959 shares issued as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively		344			340
Additional paid-in capital		676,652			594,331
Treasury stock, at cost, 3,105 and 2,885 common shares at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively		(304,426	)		(240,918	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		197			606
Retained earnings		671,459			456,514
Total shareholders' equity		1,044,226			810,873
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,425,308		$	1,121,605

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands)

	Year ended December 31,
	2011			2010

Operating activities
Net income	$	214,945		$	178,981
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		74,938			68,921
Deferred income tax provision		11,319			10,064
Increase in valuation allowance		616			415
Loss on disposal of assets		5,806			6,296
Bad debt allowance		239			(151	)
Stock-based compensation expense		41,382			21,381
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation		(38,786	)		(14,526	)

Other		2,501			-
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(2,970	)		(743	)
Inventory		(1,816	)		(1,481	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(5,399	)		(1,632	)
Other assets		(7,350	)		(8,956	)
Accounts payable		9,432			6,989
Accrued liabilities		17,451			16,607
Income tax payable/receivable		66,555			(13,209	)
Deferred rent		19,624			17,261
Other long-term liabilities		2,609			2,974
Net cash provided by operating activities		411,096			289,191

Investing activities
Purchases of leasehold improvements, property and equipment		(151,147	)		(113,215	)
Acquisition of interests in equity method investment		(586	)		(1,900	)
Purchase of investments		(183,251	)		(125,000	)
Maturities of investments		124,766			50,234
Net cash used in investing activities		(210,218	)		(189,881	)

Financing activities
Acquisition of treasury stock		(63,508	)		(126,602	)
Proceeds from option exercises		574			17,650
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation		38,786			14,526
Payments on deemed landlord financing		(120	)		(96	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(24,268	)		(94,522	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(205	)		484
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		176,405			5,272
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		224,838			219,566
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	401,243			224,838

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Income Taxes Paid	$	56,270		$	112,150
Increase in purchases of leasehold improvements, property, and equipment accrued in accounts payable		($3,249	)		($1,480	)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Supplemental Financial and Other Data (dollars in thousands)


	For the three months ended
	Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,
	2011			2011			2011			2011			2010
Number of restaurants opened		67			32			39			12			62
Restaurant relocations or closures		--			--			(3	)		(1	)		(1	)
Number of restaurants at end of period		1,230			1,163			1,131			1,095			1,084
Average restaurant sales	$	2,013		$	1,973		$	1,927		$	1,885		$	1,840
Comparable restaurant sales increases		11.1	%		11.3	%		10.0	%		12.4	%		12.6	%