Chipotle stock is noted to be down 44% year-to-date in 2025. Historical performance shows revenues increasing from $3.9 billion in 2016 to $11.8 billion in the trailing twelve months, reflecting a 201.90% total change and a 13.5% CAGR. This strong performance was attributed to former CEO Brian Niccol, who successfully navigated the company through a food safety incident in 2015. However, with Niccol's departure to Starbucks, a leadership transition period is contributing to recent headwinds. Customer visitation to restaurants in 2025 has decreased by 4-5% compared to 2024, influenced by higher restaurant prices and consumers facing stretched budgets due for essential goods. This trend is expected to persist into 2026. The company's Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) notably improved from 1.2% in 2016 to 32% in 2024, demonstrating strong operational efficiency; however, this metric has recently shown a slight decline to 30%, signaling potential pressure. Despite this, a 30% ROIC remains a robust margin for a restaurant company, particularly one that operates all its locations corporately rather than through a franchise model. Valuation metrics indicate the stock is currently trading at a forward P/E of 29 and a forward Price to Operating Cash Flow (P/OCF) of 21, which are near their lowest levels since 2021. A proprietary discounted cash flow (DCF) model calculates an intrinsic value of $44.99, contrasting with a current market price of $33.04. This suggests the stock is currently undervalued. Based on these factors, the stock is being upgraded from a 'Hold/Market Perform' to a 'Buy' for the period leading into 2026.