Chipotle vs Yum! Brands (CMG vs YUM)
Chipotle (CMG) vs Yum! Brands (YUM) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
Chipotle (CMG) and Yum! Brands (YUM) compete in restaurants. Here are Chipotle and Yum! Brands side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Chipotle or Yum! Brands.
Chipotle vs Yum! Brands: the figures
| Figure | Chipotle | Yum! Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $35.20 (November 4, 2026) | $166.31 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $44.5 billion | $44.7 billion |
| P/E (TTM) | 32.9x | 13.4x |
| Forward P/E | 26.5x | 24.6x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +9.6% | +12.2% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 10.8% | 25.4% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 2.1x | 4.1x |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.90% |
| Beta | 0.99 | 0.53 |
Chipotle and Yum! Brands figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Chipotle or Yum! Brands figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between Chipotle and Yum! Brands
- Valuation: Chipotle trades at 32.9x its annual earnings and Yum! Brands at 13.4x; the market pays more for each dollar of Chipotle profit, usually because it expects more growth.
- Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Yum! Brands keeps 25.4 as net profit and Chipotle keeps 10.8.
- Dividend: Yum! Brands pays a dividend yielding 1.90% and Chipotle pays none.
Chipotle or Yum! Brands: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Yum! Brands is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): Yum! Brands pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Chipotle has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: Yum! Brands trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither Chipotle nor Yum! Brands wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How Chipotle and Yum! Brands make money
Chipotle (CMG)
Chipotle Mexican Grill runs its own fast-casual Mexican restaurants rather than franchising them, selling made-to-order burritos, bowls, tacos and salads in store and through its app. Nearly all revenue comes from food and beverage sales, with delivery fees making up the rest. Most locations are in the United States. Full Chipotle analysis.
Yum! Brands (YUM)
Yum! Brands owns KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut and reports a separate division for each. Almost all of its restaurants are run by franchisees, who pay royalties on sales and contribute to advertising funds. KFC carries the most weight internationally, while Taco Bell is its powerhouse in the United States. Full Yum! Brands analysis.
Frequently asked questions: Chipotle vs Yum! Brands
Is Chipotle or Yum! Brands the better stock?
Choosing between Chipotle and Yum! Brands depends on what you are looking for. Yum! Brands is growing faster right now, and Yum! Brands trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Chipotle or Yum! Brands: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, Chipotle or Yum! Brands?
As of November 4, 2026, Yum! Brands yields 1.90% and Chipotle pays none. Also check how much of their profit Chipotle and Yum! Brands pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, Chipotle or Yum! Brands?
On P/E, Chipotle (32.9x) is more expensive than Yum! Brands (13.4x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.
Can I own both Chipotle and Yum! Brands?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Chipotle and Yum! Brands, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Chipotle or Yum! Brands.
More comparisons with Chipotle or Yum! Brands
More companies like Chipotle and Yum! Brands: restaurants stocks. Educational content about Chipotle and Yum! Brands, not investment advice.