Billionaire Ackman's Donation Sparks Boycott Calls Against Chipotle Mexican Grill
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 15 2026
0mins
Should l Buy CMG?
Source: Benzinga
- Shareholder Clarification: Chipotle has clarified that billionaire investor Bill Ackman is not involved in day-to-day operations, aiming to mitigate boycott calls stemming from his donation, thereby protecting brand image and customer base.
- Donation Controversy: Ackman's $10,000 donation to an ICE agent accused of shooting has sparked public backlash, leading to boycott calls against Chipotle on social media, which could negatively impact the company's sales.
- Financial Expectations: Chipotle is set to report its fourth-quarter results on February 3, with analysts expecting earnings per share to be slightly below last year while revenue is projected to rise from $2.85 billion to $2.96 billion, indicating potential for revenue growth.
- Market Expansion Plans: Analysts anticipate Chipotle will achieve unit growth of 8% to 10% in the coming years, with average unit volumes expected to return to growth in 2026 and 2027, reflecting the company's strategic focus on expanding in North American and international markets.
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Analyst Views on CMG
Wall Street analysts forecast CMG stock price to rise
25 Analyst Rating
18 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 35.250
Low
35.00
Averages
45.95
High
56.00
Current: 35.250
Low
35.00
Averages
45.95
High
56.00
About CMG
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is a restaurant company. The Company develops and operates restaurants that serve a menu of burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads, made using fresh ingredients. The Company operates approximately 3839 restaurants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Kuwait, and United Arab Emirates. It owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. The Company is focused in serving sourced, classically cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Its menu includes Burrito, Burrito Bowl, Lifestyle Bowl, Quesadilla, Salad, Tacos, Kid’s Meal, Chips and Sides, and Build your Own (digital only). It also includes Raymonte’s Chicken Bowl, The Mr. Fantasy Burrito, Carne Asada, Build-Your-Own Chipotle, catering and group order. Its subsidiaries include Chipotle Mexican Grill Canada Corp., Chipotle Mexican Grill France SAS, among others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Brand Partnership: This promotion extends Chipotle's partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL), reinforcing the brand's engagement with players and fans, and enhancing its influence within hockey culture.
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- Digital Experience Revamp: The redesigned app interface centralizes rewards content, improving user experience by allowing members to easily view points balances and redemption progress, which is anticipated to enhance customer loyalty and drive sales growth.
- In-Restaurant Promotion Strategy: Chipotle will implement an in-restaurant acquisition campaign using menu panels, table tents, and receipts to connect the current 20% of in-restaurant transactions to the rewards system, significantly increasing membership enrollment rates.
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See More
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- Expansion Plans: Despite the closures, Mo' Bettahs is planning to expand into new markets such as Phoenix, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis, demonstrating its commitment to accelerating national growth by attracting more customers with authentic Hawaiian dishes.
- Sales Growth: The chain has achieved 18 consecutive years of same-store sales growth, with CEO Rob Ertmann noting that this success reflects the quality of its menu and customer loyalty, showcasing a strong business foundation despite market challenges.
- Brand History: Founded in 2008, Mo' Bettahs focuses on traditional Hawaiian plate lunches and has rapidly expanded from 6 locations to 70 under private equity support, maintaining operations in other states despite the recent closures.
See More
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- Restaurant Sector Struggles: The rise of weight-loss drugs is suppressing consumer appetite, leading to challenges for the restaurant industry, as evidenced by Chipotle Mexican Grill's flat or negative same-store sales growth over the past four quarters, indicating a direct impact on dining expenditures.
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