Are You Expecting This from Chipotle Mexican Grill?

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG  ) is expected to report Q4 earnings on Feb. 5. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:

The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict Chipotle Mexican Grill's revenues will increase 17.1% and EPS will expand 8.3%.

The average estimate for revenue is $698.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.96.

Revenue details
Last quarter, Chipotle Mexican Grill booked revenue of $700.5 million. GAAP reported sales were 18% higher than the prior-year quarter's $591.9 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
Last quarter, EPS came in at $2.27. GAAP EPS of $2.27 for Q3 were 19% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.90 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Recent performance
For the preceding quarter, gross margin was 37.9%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 17.0%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 10.3%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead

The full year's average estimate for revenue is $2.73 billion. The average EPS estimate is $8.77.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,760 members out of 3,200 rating the stock outperform, and 440 members rating it underperform. Among 1,009 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 926 give Chipotle Mexican Grill a green thumbs-up, and 83 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Chipotle Mexican Grill is hold, with an average price target of $388.00.

With hundreds of companies out there vying with Chipotle Mexican Grill for shoppers' dollars, strong brands matter, and they can provide growth for even boring, mature companies -- as long as they're the right ones. That's why we've compiled a special report on "3 American Companies Set to Dominate the World." Click here for instant access to this free report.

• Add Chipotle Mexican Grill to My Watchlist.