Chipotle Mexican Grill has New Locations and 48% say their Business is Up

The Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant chain was profiled by Tickermine researchers this month. We asked people at 25 locations nationwide whether business was busier this month over last month, what were the most favored menu items, is lunch or dinner busier, is the location new, why do people eat there and what the average party of two winds up spending for their meal. Eleven respondents or 44% reported that business matched business a month ago. Twelve or 48% however said it was busier and only two or 8% felt that their patronage had slowed. Burritos were cited as most popular and the choice of 15 respondents or 60% of those polled. The Burrito Bowl was also a popular item (3 or 12%), Beef Tacos and then the Nachos were each cited twice (8%). The following were each cited once or by 4% of those interviewed: Carnita Taco, Burrito wraps and Grilled Chicken. The lunch crowd reigns at this restaurant chain. 15 respondents or 60% reported their lunch shift as busier. 10 respondents or 40% said it was dinner. And five of the locations (20% of those interviewed) were new, less than a year old therefore, and 20 or 80% were older. All respondents interviewed said it was the menu that brought their customers back but probably the low prices too. 20 respondents or 80% of those polled said a party of two averages a bill of $10-$20. Five respondents or 20% said their party of two bills averaged between $21-$30.

Business is up at most California Pizza Kitchen Restaurants and the Barbecue Chicken Pizza Sells Best

California Pizza Kitchen is opening new locations this quarter and yet analysts have downgraded their stock from a buy to hold. Our researchers consulted 27 locations across the country and asked how business compared with a month ago, which items sold best, was lunch busier over dinner, was their location new, close to competing restaurants and what lures their customers back? Our survey reflects a more buoyant business than analysts suggest. Fifteen respondents or 56% reported business was up from last month. Only six respondents, 22%, said business had slumped but the same numbers said business was the same. The Barbecue Chicken Pizza was the most popular menu item apparently, with 16 respondents or 59%, followed by the Sauteed Salmon (2 respondents or 7%) and various other items (including Thai chicken, the Works Pizza and Pasta Cream Penne) were each cited once or by 4% of those polled. Dinner was predominantly busier over lunch (15 respondents or 56%) and lunch was cited as busiest by 12 respondents or 44%.