Lou Whiteman
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Appearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
I don't think so.
Maybe with Starbucks.
I don't think we have that yet with Chipotle, just based on the average unit volumes that are still very, very strong, among the very best in the restaurant industry.
But I do think that the narrative took a hit as far as what you get for what you pay, and Chipotle is now trying to work through that.
If it's not reality, it's at least customer perception right now, and that's just as important.
I think you got to give Texas Roadhouse here the gold of this group.
If you want a high-quality restaurant business with no drama in your portfolio, I think you go with Texas Roadhouse.
It just consistently quarter in, quarter out.
It's a pretty mature chain at this point, and yet, same-store sales are up, again, 5% or 6% so far this year.
Those are really strong numbers.
The restaurant-level profit margins are good.
It's even working on some newer chains that it can grow from here.
But then as far as my silver, I'm definitely going to give that to Kava.
I think that Kava, yeah, same-store sales are...
drifting lower.
But so long as those profit margins at the restaurant level stay above 20% as they are right now, I think this is a growth opportunity just from opening up new restaurants.
Only around 300 or so right now, opening up 70 or so this year.
That's a good growth rate.
And so long as margins stay where they are, it should do well.
I'll give the bronze to Portillo's.