Chipotle Mexican Grill facts for kids
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| Public | |
| Traded as |
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| Industry | Restaurants |
| Genre | Fast casual |
| Founded | July 13, 1993 |
| Founder | Steve Ells |
| Headquarters | Newport Beach, California, U.S. |
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Number of locations
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3,437 (December 2023) |
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Area served
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Key people
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| Products | |
| Revenue |  US$9.87 billion (2023) |
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Operating income
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 US$1.56 billion (2023) |
| US$1.23 billion (2023) |
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| Total assets | US$8.04 billion (2023) |
| Total equity | US$3.06 billion (2023) |
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Number of employees
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116,068 (December 2023) |
| Subsidiaries |
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Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (often called just Chipotle) is a popular international chain of restaurants. They are known for their bowls, tacos, and Mission burritos. You can watch your meal being made right in front of you!
As of 2023, Chipotle has over 3,200 restaurants around the world. The name Chipotle comes from a word in the Nahuatl language. It means a smoked and dried jalapeño chili pepper.
Chipotle was one of the first "fast casual" restaurants. This means it's quicker than a sit-down restaurant but offers higher quality food than traditional fast food. Steve Ells started Chipotle on July 13, 1993. By 2006, the chain had grown to over 500 locations.
History
Steve Ells studied cooking at the Culinary Institute of America. He then worked as a cook in San Francisco. There, he saw how popular the taquerías (taco shops) and San Francisco burritos were.
In 1993, Ells used what he learned to open the first Chipotle Mexican Grill. It was in Denver, Colorado, near the University of Denver. He got an $85,000 loan from his father to start it.
Ells and his father figured they needed to sell 107 burritos a day to make a profit. After just one month, the restaurant was selling over 1,000 burritos daily! The second store opened in 1995.
In 1998, the first Chipotle outside Colorado opened in Kansas. That same year, McDonald's invested money in the company. This helped Chipotle grow very quickly. It went from 16 restaurants in 1998 to over 500 by 2005.
Chipotle became a public company in 2006. This means its shares could be bought and sold on the stock market. McDonald's then sold its shares in Chipotle. McDonald's wanted to focus only on its main burger chain.
In 2008, Chipotle opened its first restaurant outside the United States in Toronto, Canada. By 2011, Consumer Reports magazine named Chipotle the best Mexican fast-food chain. The company serves about 750,000 customers every day.
In 2010, Chipotle faced some issues with employee documents. They had to let go of some employees as a result. The company worked to fix these problems.
In 2014, Chipotle raised its menu prices for the first time in three years. This was because the cost of ingredients like steak, avocados, and cheese went up.
In 2018, Chipotle announced it would move its main office. It moved from Denver to Newport Beach, California. This move affected many employees.
Also in 2018, Chipotle started testing "Chipotlane." This is like a drive-thru, but only for picking up orders placed online or through the app. You can't order food at the window. By 2023, there were over 500 locations with a Chipotlane.
In 2023, Chipotle shared big plans for the future. They want to hire 15,000 new workers. Their goal is to have 7,000 locations, which would double their current size. They plan to open many new restaurants in smaller towns.
Trying New Kinds of Food
In the 2010s, Chipotle tried to open other types of restaurants. These restaurants offered different kinds of food.
- ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen: This restaurant served Asian-inspired bowls. It opened in 2011. Chipotle wanted to see if it would be as popular as their main restaurants. All ShopHouse locations closed in 2017.
- Tasty Made: This was a burger restaurant concept. It opened in 2016. Like ShopHouse, it also closed down in 2018.
- Pizzeria Locale: This chain served pizza. Chipotle partnered with the original Pizzeria Locale in Colorado. They opened several locations, but in 2023, Chipotle decided to close all of its Pizzeria Locale restaurants.
- Farmesa: In 2023, Chipotle opened its first Farmesa Fresh Eatery in California. This restaurant specializes in custom-made bowls with different proteins and sides.
International Growth
Chipotle has expanded to many countries outside the United States. By 2014, they had 17 locations internationally. Most of these were in Canada and the United Kingdom.
As of 2018, Chipotle had 33 international locations. These included restaurants in Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
In 2023, Chipotle announced a new partnership. They will work with the Alshaya Group in Kuwait. This is their first franchise deal and will help them open restaurants in the Middle East.
Canada
Chipotle opened its first international restaurant in Toronto, Canada, in 2008. A second Toronto store opened in 2010. The first Canadian location outside Toronto opened in Vancouver in 2012. Chipotle now has several locations in the Vancouver area. In 2023, they announced plans for a seventh store there. They also opened a store in Calgary, Alberta, in 2023.
United Kingdom
Chipotle came to Europe in May 2010. Their first European restaurant opened in London. They opened several more locations in London over the next few years. As of February 2024, there were 19 Chipotle locations in the UK, with most of them in London.
France
The first Chipotle in France opened in Paris in May 2012. Growth in France was slower than in other countries. By 2016, they had five locations in Paris. In 2021, Chipotle opened its seventh location in France. This was their first restaurant outside the Paris region, located in Lyon.
Germany
The first Chipotle in Germany opened in Frankfurt in August 2013. A second location in Frankfurt opened in 2019.
How Chipotle is Managed
Chipotle is run by a team of managers and a board of directors. These teams make important decisions about the company.
Brian Niccol became the CEO of Chipotle in March 2018. He took over from founder Steve Ells. Ells remained the chairman for a while. In March 2020, Ells left the company completely. Niccol then became both the CEO and the chairman.
All Chipotle restaurants are owned by the company itself. They are not franchised (owned by other people). This means Chipotle has full control over all its locations. When a new restaurant opens, the company trains a new general manager.
In 2023, Chipotle started testing a robot to help prepare avocados for guacamole. This helps speed up the process and deal with staff shortages. Many restaurants are now using automation.
Menu
Chipotle's menu has five main items: burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, and salads. You choose your main protein, like chicken, pork carnitas, steak, or tofu-based "sofritas." You can also choose vegetarian options.
Then, you can add many free toppings. These include rice, beans, different kinds of salsa, fajita vegetables, sour cream, cheese, and lettuce.
Steve Ells once said it's important to keep the menu simple. This helps them make sure everything they do is the best. Chipotle also has a children's menu. Most restaurants also sell beer and margaritas.
Most of the food is prepared fresh in each restaurant. They don't have freezers, microwave ovens, or can openers in the restaurants. This helps ensure the food is fresh.
In 2013, Chipotle started testing "sofritas," a tofu-based option. It became very popular and is now available nationwide. In 2021, they also tested a plant-based chorizo.
You can order from Chipotle in different ways. You can order online from their website or use their app on your phone. This lets you order and pay ahead of time.
In 2021, Chipotle even released a limited-edition cilantro soap! It was a fun way to connect with fans of the herb.
Nutrition
In 2003, a report said that Chipotle burritos can have over 1,000 calories. This is a lot of energy, almost like two meals! Some reports have listed their burritos as high in calories and sodium.
However, Chipotle has also been praised for its healthier options. Health.com even listed it as one of the "Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants."
Chipotle offers many vegetarian options. These include rice, black beans, fajita vegetables, salsa, guacamole, queso, and cheese. Most items are vegan, except for meats, cheese, sour cream, and honey vinaigrette dressing. In 2013, Chipotle changed how they cook their pinto beans. This made them vegetarian and vegan-friendly.
Food Sourcing
Chipotle cares about where its food comes from. In 1999, founder Steve Ells visited some farms. He didn't like what he saw at some large animal farms. So, he started buying pork from farms where animals could roam freely. This cost more, but customers liked it.
In 2001, Chipotle created a plan called Food With Integrity. This plan focuses on using:
- Naturally raised meat (animals raised without certain practices).
- Organic produce (grown without certain pesticides).
- Dairy products without added hormones.
Chipotle's founder, Steve Ells, even spoke to the United States Congress. He supported a law to reduce the amount of antibiotics given to farm animals.
For a while, Chipotle had a disagreement with a farmworker group called the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW). The group wanted Chipotle to pay a little extra for tomatoes. This money would help tomato pickers earn more. In 2012, Chipotle and the CIW reached an agreement. Chipotle became part of the Fair Food Program, which helps protect farmworkers' rights.
In 2015, Chipotle stopped using pork from some suppliers. This was because of animal welfare concerns found during an audit. They want to make sure their meat suppliers meet their standards.
Also in 2015, Chipotle announced they would stop using genetically modified (GMO) corn and soybeans in their food. They said they were the first nationwide restaurant to be completely GMO-free.
Food Safety
Chipotle has faced some challenges with food safety. Since 2008, there have been discussions about how Chipotle's focus on "fresh" and "natural" ingredients might affect food safety.
Some experts have pointed out that using fresh produce and cooking with traditional methods can sometimes lead to a higher risk of food-borne illnesses. Chipotle has acknowledged this. They work hard to keep their food safe.
In 2015, there were some outbreaks of illnesses linked to Chipotle. The company apologized and promised to make changes. They improved their food safety practices. This included working more closely with suppliers and changing how vegetables are prepared.
Health officials inspect restaurants regularly. Chipotle works with them to follow all health codes.
Data Security
2017 Data Breach
In 2017, Chipotle announced that its payment system was hacked. This happened over three weeks. Customer credit and debit card information, including security codes, might have been stolen. This affected many restaurants across the U.S. and some in Canada.
2019 Mobile App Issues
In 2019, some customers reported that their Chipotle mobile ordering app accounts were hacked. They said fake orders were charged to their credit cards. Chipotle suggested that customers might have used weak passwords. However, customers argued their passwords were secure and that there might have been a problem with Chipotle's system.
Labor and Employees
Chipotle has been in the news for its employee relations. In 2022, some Chipotle workers tried to form a union. A restaurant in Lansing, Michigan, became the first Chipotle location to vote to unionize. This means employees there can work together to improve their working conditions and pay.
Chipotle is also looking into using robots to help with some kitchen tasks. This could help make things more efficient.
Advertising and Fun Promotions
In the past, Chipotle mostly advertised through billboards and radio. They also relied on people telling their friends about the food.
Chipotle often gives out free food to attract new customers. They have special promotions, like giving free burritos to people dressed as burritos on Halloween. They also gave free burritos to people affected by Hurricane Katrina.
For Halloween, Chipotle often has a "Boorito" event. Customers who dress up can get a discounted meal. This event often raises money for good causes, like supporting family farms.
Chipotle has also created animated short films, like The Scarecrow. These films often share messages about sustainable farming.
In 2021, Chipotle celebrated American athletes in the 2020 Summer Olympics. They rolled out special gold foil for their burritos.
Chipotle also partners with other groups. They have sponsored a cycling team and sports teams like the Boston Celtics. In 2023, they announced a sponsorship deal with the Haas F1 Team in Formula One.
Restaurant Design
Chipotle restaurants have a unique look. They often use materials like plywood, metal, and stainless steel. The inside usually has an "industrial" feel. Each store is a bit different, but they share similar design elements.
It costs about $850,000 to open a new Chipotle restaurant. The chairs and some art in the restaurants are designed by sculptor Bruce Gueswel. He has designed pieces for all Chipotle locations.
Most Chipotle restaurants have a photo of the very first restaurant. The original location, however, has a photo of the ice cream shop that was there before it.
Chipotle tries to be environmentally friendly. They use recycled materials for their packaging, like bowls made from recycled newspaper. They also use unbleached napkins and cups made from recycled waste.
Some Chipotle restaurants are designed to be "green." For example, a restaurant in Illinois has a wind turbine that helps power it. Other locations use recycled building materials and energy-efficient appliances. Chipotle has also added solar panels to many of its restaurants.
Chipotle has faced lawsuits about making their restaurants accessible for people with disabilities. They have changed their designs to make sure everyone can see the food preparation area. They now use lower walls or clear panels in front of the food line.
Other Restaurant Brands
Besides its main Chipotle restaurants, the company has tried out other food concepts:
- Farmesa: This is Chipotle's newest restaurant idea, launched in March 2023. It focuses on custom-made bowls. The first location opened in Santa Monica, California.
- Pizzeria Locale: This was a fast-casual pizza chain. Chipotle partnered with the original Pizzeria Locale in Colorado. They opened several locations, but Chipotle decided to close all of them in July 2023.
- Soul Daddy: This was a soul food restaurant that Chipotle managed for a short time in 2011. It closed after only a few weeks.
- ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen: This restaurant offered Asian-inspired fast-casual meals. Chipotle opened it in 2011, but all locations closed in 2017.
- Tasty Made: This was a burger restaurant concept that Chipotle opened in 2016. It also closed in 2018.
Images for kids
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A chicken and barbacoa burrito bowl with guacamole.
