Raw Data Report: Restaurants

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Menu May Be The Reason Morton's (MRT) Steakhouse Restaurants Are Busier This Month

Menu above atmosphere was said to be the reason patrons frequented Morton's Steakhouse restaurants at twelve (60%) of the restaurants surveyed by Tickermine. Of twenty restaurants around the country, nineteen (95%) had been open for over one year and eighteen (90%) stated that dinner was busier than lunch at that location. Eleven (55%) restaurants reported that the average check size for a party of two was between $80-$100. Three (15%) reported that the average check size was more at $125-$155. Six restaurants (30%) believed their most popular menu item was the Double-Cut Fillet Mignon and six (30%) said their Porterhouse Steak was the most popular. Other popular menu items included their Ribeye Steak (15%), Steak & Seafood (15%), and Prime Rib (5%). Nine (45%) reported that the restaurant was busier this month compared to last. But five (25%) restaurants stated they were now less busy than this time last month.

Business Up At Most California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) Restaurants; 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%. Only two respondents said their location was new (7%) and 25 or 93% said theirs was old. Fifteen respondents or 56% felt that it was particular menu items that brought in their customers. 9 or 33% cited the atmosphere and 3 or 11% cited the prices. The average bill for a party of two however is steeper than most. Most respondents (12 or 44%) put it at $26-$35. Eight or 30% said it was $40-$55 and only 7 or 26% said couples wind up paying less than $25. Fourteen respondents or 52% reported nearby competing restaurants and 13 or 48% reported none.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) Has New Locations; 48% Say 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.

Comments

[Nextel Acce...:]

Chipolte is awesome, lots of room for growth

2008 Jun 09 07:46 PM

[Billie:]

I really like Chipotle, I think it's a very efficiently well run business, some investors may gain in the long run, the management team has to make sure they don't lose perspective of their long term goal and keep the focus on making money, the have to keep the stores in operation going at full speed, don't over expand the market with too many Chipotle restaurants.

2008 Jun 11 03:41 AM