Transcript
A (0:00)
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business, the Becker Private Equity podcast. Today's discussion is Chipotle, is it the economy or is it leadership? So here's the deal. Whenever a company is struggling today, they tend to find an external factor to blame it on. In this case, Chipotle constantly points to the economy is causing trouble with their business, but they're down literally 50% year to date.
B (0:26)
So I think it's got to be.
A (0:27)
More than the economy. Chipotle famously this last year lost its leader, Brian Nicole, one of the best regarded CEOs in, in the food business.
B (0:38)
In the restaurant business.
A (0:40)
He left to go to Starbucks. Starbucks seems to be just really trying to find its stride. Imperfect, but seems to get closer.
B (0:47)
Of course, when you look at the.
A (0:48)
Big sort of fast food chain stuff like that, McDonald's doing okay. They're about 5, 6% year to date. But again, Chipotle getting killed. Burger King also trying to refine itself.
B (0:58)
I don't know.
A (0:59)
The Burger King has been relevant for a long time, but now closing several hundred stores in an effort to sort of get back to profitable.
B (1:06)
We'll see how that goes.
A (1:07)
But again, with companies like Chipotle, I think, I often think that it's more about leadership than I do about the economy. But the current CEO needs to point.
B (1:19)
To the economy, point to terrorists.
A (1:20)
He's going to something to sort of.
B (1:22)
Make it seem like it's not him that's causing the trouble. I think it's fascinating to watch.
A (1:26)
Thank you for listening to the Becker.
B (1:29)
Private Equity the Becker Business podcast. It's almost similar when I golf. I could blame it in the conditions where I could take responsibility for myself, and it's usually myself. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business, the Becker Private Equity podcast. We'll be back with you shortly.