Chipotle Mexican Grill#Food safety

File:University of Denver campus pics 107.jpg]]

Steve Ells attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Afterward, he became a line cook for Jeremiah Tower at Stars in San Francisco.{{cite news |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07140/786933-34.stm |title=Fresh and fast: Chipotle Mexican Grill chain buys from family farms |last=Parrish |first=Marlene |date=May 20, 2007 |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=September 14, 2009}} There, Ells observed the popularity of the taquerías and San Francisco burritos in the Mission District. In 1993, Ells took what he learned in San Francisco{{cite news |url=http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/article-763-food-with-integrity.html |title=Food with Integrity |last=Biondich |first=Sarah |date=February 6, 2008 |newspaper=Express Milwaukee |access-date=September 14, 2009 |archive-date=November 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091109080130/http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/article-763-food-with-integrity.html |url-status=dead }} and opened the first Chipotle Mexican Grill in Denver, Colorado, in a former Dolly Madison Ice Cream store at 1644 East Evans Avenue,First Chipotle Mexican Grill location, 1644 East Evans Avenue, at the corner of South Gilpin Street, Denver, Colorado, United States: {{coord|39.67834|-104.967682|type:landmark_region:US|name=First Chipotle Mexican Grill location|display=inline,title}} near the University of Denver campus, using an $85,000 loan from his father. Ells and his father calculated that the store would need to sell 107 burritos per day to be profitable. After one month, the original restaurant was selling over 1,000 burritos a day. The second store opened in 1995 using Chipotle's cash flow, and the third was opened using an SBA loan. To fund additional growth, Ells' father invested $1.5 million. Afterwards, Ells created a board of directors and business plan, raising an additional $1.8 million for the company.{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/chipotle-grills-secret-ingredient-obsession/ |title=Chipotle Grill's Secret Ingredient: Obsession |last=Hefferman |first=Margaret |date=September 15, 2010 |website=CBS News |access-date=November 20, 2014}} Ells had originally planned to use funds from the first Chipotle to open a fine-dining restaurant, but instead focused on Chipotle Mexican Grill when the restaurants saw success.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB125319598236119629 |title=Starting Chipotle From Scratch |last=Debaise |first=Colleen |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=September 17, 2009 |access-date=September 18, 2009}}{{cite news |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/124/ode-to-a-burrito.html |title=Ode To A Burrito |last=Cohen |first=Arrianne |date=March 20, 2008 |magazine=Fast Company |access-date=December 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214224018/http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/124/ode-to-a-burrito.html |archive-date=December 14, 2009 }}

In 1998, the first restaurant outside of Colorado opened in Kansas City, Missouri.{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/1998/02/09/newscolumn5.html |title=Big Burritos are Coming to Kansas City |last=Trollinger |first=Amy |date=February 8, 1998 |work=Kansas City Business Journal |access-date=November 20, 2014}}

In 1998, McDonald's made an initial minority investment in the company. By 2001, McDonald's had grown to be Chipotle's largest investor. The investment from McDonald's allowed the firm to quickly expand, from 16 restaurants in 1998 to over 500 by 2005.{{cite news |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail/4440581-1.html |title=McDonald's plans to reduce ownership of Chipotle Mexican Grill |date=April 27, 2006 |publisher=Allbusiness.com |access-date=September 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707114056/http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail/4440581-1.html |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |author=}} On January 26, 2006, Chipotle made its initial public offering (IPO) after increasing the share price twice due to high pre-IPO demand. In its first day as a public company, the stock rose exactly 100%, resulting in the best U.S.-based IPO in six years, and the second-best IPO for a restaurant after Boston Market. The money from the offering was then used to fund new store growth.{{cite news|url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/money/article/0,2777,DRMN_23908_4419634,00.html |title=Feeding frenzy |last=Forgrieve |first=Janet |date=January 27, 2006 |newspaper=Rocky Mountain News |access-date=September 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060218200835/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/money/article/0%2C2777%2CDRMN_23908_4419634%2C00.html |archive-date=February 18, 2006 |url-status=dead }}

In March 2005, Monty Moran was appointed president and chief operating officer of Chipotle while Ells remained chairman and CEO.{{cite press release |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20061215005153/en/Chipotle-Mexican-Grill-Names-Monty-Moran-Board |title=Chipotle Mexican Grill Names Monty Moran to Board of Directors |work=Business Wire |date=December 15, 2006 |author=}}

In October 2006, McDonald's fully divested from Chipotle.{{cite news |url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_11/b4025088.htm |title=Burrito Buzz—And So Few Ads |date=March 12, 2007 |magazine=BusinessWeek |access-date=September 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110005039/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_11/b4025088.htm |archive-date=January 10, 2012 |author=}} This was part of a larger initiative for McDonald's to divest all of its non-core business restaurants—Chipotle, Donatos Pizza, and Boston Market—so that it could focus on the main McDonald's chain.{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/02/22/mcdonalds-pret-food-markets-equity-cx_ll_0222markets15.html |title=McDonald's Serves Up Another Sale |date=February 22, 2008 |magazine=Forbes |access-date=October 5, 2009 |first=Lionel |last=Laurent}} McDonald's had invested approximately $360 million into Chipotle, and took out $1.5 billion. McDonald's had attempted to get Chipotle to add drive-through windows and a breakfast menu, which Ells resisted.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2015-chipotle-oral-history/ |title=Chipotle: The Definitive Oral History |newspaper=Bloomberg News |date=February 2, 2015 |last1=Stock |first1=Kyle |last2=Wong |first2=Venessa |name-list-style=amp}}{{cite news |url=http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/12/27/15-things-you-may-not-have-known-about-chipotle-me.aspx |title=15 Things You May Not Have Known About Chipotle Mexican Grill |website=The Motley Fool |date=December 27, 2015 |first=Nathan |last=Hamilton}} In 2008, Chipotle opened its first location outside of the United States in Toronto.{{cite news|url=http://virtual.torontosun.com/doc/torontosun/0813/2008081301/72.html#72 |title=Come on down to Life Square for free burittos |newspaper=Toronto Sun |date=August 13, 2008 |first=Rita |last=DeMontis |page=40 |access-date=November 16, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128160721/http://virtual.torontosun.com/doc/torontosun/0813/2008081301/72.html |archive-date=November 28, 2014 }}

In January 2009, president and chief operating officer Monty Moran was promoted to co-CEO, a position that he would share with Ells, while Moran retained his president position.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/chipotle-idUSN0531882920090105 |title=Chipotle names Moran co-CEO, eyes move into Europe |newspaper=Reuters |date=January 5, 2009 |author=}}

In a list of fastest-growing restaurant chains in 2009, Chipotle was ranked eighth, based on increases in U.S. sales over the past year,{{cite news |url=http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/03/22/daily57.html |title=Two Colorado restaurant chains on 10-fastest-growing list |date=March 25, 2010 | work=Denver Business Journal |access-date=April 5, 2010 |author=}} and in 2010 Chipotle was ranked third.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.nrn.com/article/fastest-growing-restaurant-brands |title=The fastest-growing restaurant brands |date=March 14, 2011 |magazine=Nation's Restaurant News |access-date=March 16, 2011 |first=Mark |last=Brandau |url-access=subscription }} Consumer Reports ranked Chipotle as the best Mexican fast-food chain in 2011.{{cite news |url=http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2011/august/food/fast-food/overview/index.htm |title=Four big names lose |date=August 2011 |magazine=Consumer Reports |access-date=July 1, 2011 |author=}} The company serves approximately 750,000 customers per day.{{cite news |url=http://www.laweekly.com/restaurants/fast-food-using-slow-food-talking-with-chipotles-steve-ells-2380462 |title=Fast Food Using Slow Food?: Talking With Chipotles' Steve Ells |date=July 6, 2010 |newspaper=LA Weekly |access-date=July 25, 2015 |first=Lucy |last=Lean}}

In December 2010, Chipotle hired chef Nate Appleman to develop new cuisine. Appleman has won Rising Star Chef from the James Beard Foundation, was named "Best New Chef" by the Food & Wine magazine, and competed on The Next Iron Chef.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/dining/15appleman.html |title=Nate Appleman, Rising Star, Turns Up in a Chipotle |last=Strand |first=Oliver |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 14, 2010 |access-date=December 16, 2010}}

In 2010, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) audited Chipotle's Minneapolis restaurants, and found that some employees had been hired using fraudulent documents. In December, Chipotle fired 450 employees from its Minneapolis restaurants as a result of the audit, resulting in protests by local groups.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/chipotle-idUSN1718442020110217 |title=Chipotle fired 450 after Minn. immigration audit |last=Baertlein |first=Lisa |work=Reuters |date=February 17, 2011 |access-date=February 22, 2011 |archive-date=February 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221045338/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/17/chipotle-idUSN1718442020110217 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704754304576096343224264206 |title=Chipotle Faces Protesters After Firings Over Audit |last=Jargon |first=Julie |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=January 21, 2011 |access-date=January 27, 2011}} In February 2011, ICE expanded the audit to include 60 restaurants in Virginia and Washington, D.C.{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/02/chipotle-chain-targeted-federal-immigration-audits.html |title=Chipotle chain targeted for federal immigration audits |last=Li |first=Shan |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=February 4, 2011 |access-date=February 9, 2011}} which resulted in 40 workers being fired. In April 2011, the criminal division of the attorney general's office in Washington, D.C., joined the case, and ICE agents began interviewing employees at 20 to 25 restaurants in other locations, such as Los Angeles and Atlanta.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703834804576301651468168520?mod=googlenews_wsj |title=Chipotle Hiring Probe Expands |last=Jordan |first=Miriam |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=May 4, 2011 |access-date=May 24, 2011}} In response to the government investigations, Chipotle hired former director of ICE Julie Myers Wood and high-profile attorneys Robert Luskin and Gregory B. Craig.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chipotle-idUSTRE75G42S20110617 |title=Exclusive: Chipotle hires A-list lawyers for immigration probe |work=Reuters |date=June 17, 2011 |access-date=June 21, 2011 |first1=Mary |last1=Milliken |first2=Lisa |last2=Baertlein |first3=Erin Geiger |last3=Smith |name-list-style=amp |archive-date=June 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110620001656/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/17/us-chipotle-idUSTRE75G42S20110617 |url-status=live }}

In April 2014, Chipotle announced an increase in menu prices for the first time in nearly three years, due to increasing costs for steak, avocados, and cheese. The price increase was expected to be rolled out from the end of second quarter of 2014 through the end of the third quarter.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chipotle-results-idUSBREA3G1UV20140417 |work=Reuters |title=Chipotle raising prices as steak, avocados, cheese costs rise |date=April 17, 2014 |first=Lisa |last=Baertlein |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017041439/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/17/us-chipotle-results-idUSBREA3G1UV20140417 |url-status=live }} In late 2015, Chipotle expanded its mobile strategy through delivery partnerships with tech startups like Tapingo, a delivery service that targets college campuses.{{cite news |title=Chipotle will start delivering to 40 college campuses this fall |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2015/09/01/chipotle--campus-delivery/71506622/ |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=September 1, 2015 |first=Hadley |last=Malcolm |date=September 1, 2015}}

In December 2016, Chipotle announced that co-CEO Monty Moran has stepped down from his role effective immediately with Ells becoming the sole CEO.{{cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/monty-moran-steps-down-chipotle-2016-12 |title=Chipotle co-CEO steps down as chain struggles to recover from sales slump |website=Business Insider |date=December 12, 2016 |first=Hayley |last=Peterson}}{{cite news |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/12/14/why-chipotle-had-to-dump-its-co-ceo.aspx |title=In the latest step in its recovery, the burrito chain scuttled its co-CEO structure, making Founder Steve Ells the sole leader. |website=The Motley Fool |date=December 14, 2016 |first=Jeremy |last=Bowman}} Eleven months later, Ells announced in November 2017 that he would be stepping down as CEO.{{Cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/chipotle-is-searching-for-a-new-ceo-to-replace-founder-steve-ells-2017-11 |title=Chipotle's founder plans to step down as the struggling chain begins the hunt for a new CEO |work=Business Insider |access-date=November 29, 2017 |first=Kate |last=Taylor |date=November 29, 2017}}

In December 2017, Chipotle announced it signed a 15-year lease and in late 2018 will move around 450 corporate employees—currently housed in multiple buildings around downtown Denver—into the new 1144 Fifteenth Tower and occupy around 126,000 square feet or 5 floors of the 40-story tower.{{cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2017/12/13/chipotle-headquarters-moving-denver/ |title=Chipotle moving corporate HQ into Denver's forthcoming 1144 Fifteenth tower |newspaper=Denver Post |date=December 13, 2017 |first=Joe |last=Rubino}}

In February 2018, Chipotle announced that Taco Bell CEO Brian Niccol would replace Ells as CEO starting on March 5 while Ells would retain his chairman position.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/13/business/chipotle-ceo-taco-bell.html?pagewanted=all |title=Chipotle Takes a Page, and a C.E.O., From Taco Bell |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 13, 2018 |first=Tiffany |last=Hsu}} Many industry analysts praised Niccol's appointment saying that Chipotle "needed new blood".{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/02/13/taco-bells-ceo-jumps-ship-head-chipotle/334979002/ |title=Taco Bell's CEO jumps ship to head Chipotle |newspaper=USA Today |date=February 13, 2018 |first=Zlati |last=Meyer}} Chipotle stock went up $30.27, or 12.04%, as a result of the announcement. However, other analysts criticized the announcement by saying that "the move goes against everything the burrito chain stands for".{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/14/cramer-blasts-chipotle-for-picking-taco-bell-brian-niccol-as-new-ceo.html |title=Cramer: Chipotle goes against everything it stands for by poaching Taco Bell's CEO |website=CNBC |date=February 14, 2018 | first=Berkeley Jr. |last=Lovelace}}

In May 2018, Chipotle announced that it would relocate headquarters from Denver to Newport Beach, California, in Southern California. Corporate functions handled in their Denver and New York offices would move to Newport Beach or to an existing office in Columbus, Ohio. This move would impact 400 workers, some being offered relocation and retention packages.{{Cite news|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/chipotle-to-relocate-its-hq-to-newport-beach-calif-impacting-400-staffers-2018-05-23|title=Chipotle to relocate its HQ to Newport Beach, Calif., impacting 400 staffers|first=Tonya|last=Garcia|website=MarketWatch|access-date=August 20, 2019}}

In May 2018, Chipotle announced the "Chipotlane" and began testing it in the U.S.. The Chipotlane acts as a drive-thru, but it is for mobile order pickup only; customers are unable to order food at the handout window but are welcome to pick up their mobile orders through the Chipotlane or inside the restaurant. As of 2023, there are over 500+ locations which include the Chipotlane in order to make the restaurant run more efficiently.{{Cite web |title=CHIPOTLE OPENS 500TH CHIPOTLANE® RESTAURANT - Nov 16, 2022 |url=https://newsroom.chipotle.com/2022-11-16-CHIPOTLE-OPENS-500TH-CHIPOTLANE-R-RESTAURANT |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=newsroom.chipotle.com |language=en-us}}

In June 2018, the company announced the closing of 65 under-performing restaurants.{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/chipotle-to-close-dozens-of-locations-2018-6|title=Chipotle is closing dozens of locations in the next month|work=Business Insider|access-date=June 28, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.inquisitr.com/4960738/chipotle-planning-major-revamp-under-new-ceo-dozens-of-restaurant-locations-will-close-within-30-days/|title=Chipotle Planning Major Revamp Under New CEO, Dozens Of Restaurant Locations Will Close Within 30 Days|date=June 28, 2018|work=The Inquisitr|access-date=June 28, 2018}}

Ells broke all ties with the company in March 2020 by resigning as its chairman and departing from its board of directors.{{cite news |last=Sexton |first=Josie |date=March 6, 2020 |title=Chipotle founder Steve Ells leaves the company after 27 years: His departure comes nearly two years after Chipotle moved its headquarters from Denver to Newport Beach |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/06/steve-ells-founder-leaves-chipotle/ |newspaper=Denver Post}}

In January 2023, the company announced plans to hire 15,000 workers and expand to 7,000 locations, up from a previous goal of 6,000. This would double its footprint. At the time of the announcement, it had more than 100,000 employees.{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |title=Chipotle seeks to hire 15,000 restaurant workers ahead of busy spring months |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/26/chipotle-hiring-restaurant-workers-for-spring.html |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=CNBC |date=January 26, 2023 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Luna |first=Nancy |title=Chipotle wants to hire 15,000 restaurant workers as it plans double in size to 7,000 restaurants in the coming years |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/chipotle-to-hire-15000-restaurant-workers-plans-to-double-size-2023-1 |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} An article in The Wall Street Journal in July noted the chain would focus on opening 700–800 new locations in small towns and cities as part of its plan to expand by nearly 3,800 locations, in territory traditionally dominated by chains like McDonald's and Applebee's.{{Cite news |last=Haddon |first=Heather |date=2023-07-18 |title=Chipotle Is Bringing Its Burritos to Small Town U.S.A. |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/chipotle-is-bringing-its-burritos-to-small-town-u-s-a-bf57b0d1 |access-date=2023-07-18 |issn=0099-9660}}

In September 2024, Chipotle announced it was collaborating with Vebu, a company that develops automation and robotics equipment for the food industry,{{cite web |url= https://newsroom.chipotle.com/2024-09-16-CHIPOTLE-DEBUTS-AUTOCADO-AND-THE-AUGMENTED-MAKELINE-BY-HYPHEN-IN-RESTAURANTS |title= Chipotle Debuts Autocado and teh Augmented Makeline by Hyphen in Restaurants |date= September 9, 2024 }} on a new automated avocado processing machine, Autocado. The companies claimed that this machine could peel and cut an avocado in less than 30 seconds and operate unattended on a large batch, which could significantly reduce the time and labor required to prepare large quantities of guacamole.{{cite web | last=Leasca | first=Stacey | title=and It's Set to Make Its Restaurants Way More Efficient | website=Food & Wine | date=2024-09-16 | url=https://www.foodandwine.com/chipotle-autocado-machine-augmented-makeline-device-8712664 | access-date=2024-09-18}}

File:ShopHouse lunch bowl.jpg lunch bowl]]

In the 2010s, Ells tried to diversify the company by creating or acquiring several subsidiaries. These subsidiaries offered very different cuisines compared to their parent company. Examples include soul food (Soul Daddy), Asian cuisine (ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen), pizza (Pizzeria Locale), and burgers (Tasty Made). In 2023, Chipotle had also tried incorporating California-inspired bowls into the Farmesa Fresh Eatery concept. None were a financial success and all concepts were discontinued.

In 2011, Steve Ells was a judge for the TV show America's Next Great Restaurant and investor of ANGR Holdings, the company that will be running the winning concept's restaurants. Chipotle has agreed to purchase Ells' investment in ANGR at his cost, provide support for ANGR operations, and invest a total of $2.3 million in cash contributions.{{cite web |last=Hubbard |first=Sonya |title=Expanding the Chipotle empire… |url=http://www.footnoted.com/my-big-fat-deal/expanding-the-chipotle-empire/ |website=Footnoted |publisher=Morningstar, Inc. |access-date=April 27, 2011 |date=April 7, 2011}} The winning concept, Soul Daddy, was quickly closed after operating for 8 weeks.

In September 2011, Chipotle opened an Asian fast-casual concept restaurant named ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen in Washington, D.C.{{cite news |url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2011/09/28/test-driving-chipotles-new-shophouse-eatery/ |title=Test-Driving Chipotle's New ShopHouse Eatery |last=Aristotle Munarriz |first=Richard |website=Fox Business Network |date=September 28, 2011 |access-date=October 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114051849/http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2011/09/28/test-driving-chipotles-new-shophouse-eatery/ |archive-date=January 14, 2013 |url-status=dead }} The company has said the new restaurant "would follow the Chipotle service format and its focus on 'food with integrity' in ingredients".{{cite news |url=http://www.nrn.com/article/chipotle-open-asian-fast-casual-concept |title=Chipotle to open Asian fast-casual concept |last=Jennings |first=Lisa |work=Nation's Restaurant News |date=November 3, 2010 |access-date=November 8, 2010}} Chipotle's plan was to start with only one store, and see how the restaurant works out before expanding the concept.{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/blog/cooking/2010/11/chipotle-to-serve-up-asian-eatery.html |title=Chipotle to serve up Asian eatery |last=Anderson |first=Mark |work=Sacramento Business Journal |date=November 8, 2010 |access-date=November 9, 2010}}

On July 29, 2016, the company announced the opening of its first Tasty Made burger restaurant in the fall.{{cite news|last1=Choi|first1=Candice|title=Chipotle branching out, plans to open burger restaurant|url=http://www.latimes.com/sns-bc-us--chipotle-burgers-20160728-story.html|access-date=July 28, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|agency=AP|date=July 28, 2016}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

The newer restaurant concepts did not perform as well as expected, so ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen and Tasty Made were closed in March 2017 and February 2018 respectively, leaving only Pizzeria Locale operating besides the parent company.

In February 2023, Chipotle opened their first Farmesa Fresh Eatery in Santa Monica, California, serving bowls containing customers' choice of a protein, a green or grain, two sides, a topping, and a selection of up to five sauces. Some of the choices included steak, salmon, whipped potatoes, sweet potato chips, beets, and cauliflower.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2023/02/15/chipotle-farmesa-spinoff-restaurant/11263242002/ |title=Chipotle spinoff restaurant: Farmesa to serve customizable bowls with salmon, veggies and more |first=Amanda Pérez |last=Pintado |newspaper=USA Today |date=February 15, 2023}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/chipotle-spinoff-farmesa-fresh-eatery/ |title= Chipotle Is Opening Up a New Spinoff Restaurant—Here's Everything We Know So Far |first=Jessica |last=Kaplan |date=February 21, 2023 |magazine=Taste of Home}}

In July 2023, Chipotle exited the highly competitive pizza restaurant industry by announcing that they were closing all of their remaining Pizzeria Locale locations and would "dissolve the business".{{R|usatoday-2023jul06}} Chipotle also abandoned Farmesa in April 2024.{{R|cnbc-2024apr24}}

The key trends for Chipotle are (as of the financial year ending December 31):{{Cite web |title=SEC Filings |url=https://ir.chipotle.com/sec-filings?cat=1 |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=www.chipotle.com |language=en-us}}

Chipotle is mainly owned by institutional investors, who hold around 89% of all shares. The 10 largest shareholders in late 2024 were:{{Cite web |title=Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) Stock Major Holders - Yahoo Finance |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/CMG/holders/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304234040/https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/CMG/holders/ |archive-date=March 4, 2025 |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US |url-status=live }}

• The Vanguard Group (8.97%)
• BlackRock (8.14%)
• State Street Corporation (4.26%)
• T. Rowe Price (3.92%)
• JPMorgan Chase (3.31%)
• Capital World Investors (2.93%)
• Fidelity Investments (2.49%)
• AllianceBernstein (2.23%)
• Geode Capital Management (2.11%)
• Pershing Square Capital Management (1.83%)

Chipotle's team includes a residing corporate office of managers and its board of directors. Members of both teams are appointed to serve on committees: audit, compensation, and nominating and corporate governance.

By late 2016, the top management team consisted of the chief executive officer, Steve Ells; the chief financial officer, Jack R. Hartung; the chief marketing and development officer, Mark Crumpacker.{{cite web |title=Investor Relations |url=http://ir.chipotle.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=194775&p=irol-govmanage |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730031647/http://ir.chipotle.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=194775&p=irol-govmanage |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |access-date=November 15, 2016 |publisher=Chipotle}} At that time, the board of directors consists of: Ells, Patrick Flynn, Albert Baldocchi, Neil Flanzraich, Darlene Friedman, Stephen Gillet, Kimbal Musk and John Charlesworth.{{cite web |title=Board of Directors |url=http://ir.chipotle.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=194775&p=irol-govboard |access-date=November 15, 2016 |publisher=Chipotle}}{{Dead link|date=December 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} On March 14, 2018, it was reported that Mark Crumpacker, who had previously been charged in a 2016 cocaine ring indictment, would be leaving the company.{{Cite news |date=March 14, 2018 |title=Chipotle marketing chief leaves nearly two years after cocaine bust |url=https://nypost.com/2018/03/14/chipotle-fires-marketing-chief-nearly-two-years-after-cocaine-bust/ |access-date=March 14, 2018 |work=New York Post}}

Ells served as chairman of the company, and served as chief executive officer until November 2017.{{cite news |author= |date=October 22, 2010 |title=Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2009 Results |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS226593+22-Oct-2009+BW20091022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919171935/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS226593+22-Oct-2009+BW20091022 |archive-date=September 19, 2012 |access-date=October 26, 2009 |work=Reuters}} He had a 1.25% stake in the company in 2010.{{cite news |last=Reklaitis |first=Victor |date=November 2, 2010 |title=Chipotle's Steve Ells Fine-Tunes Fast Food |url=http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/552405/201011021617/Chipotles-Steve-Ells-Fine-Tunes-Fast-Food.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107035930/http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/552405/201011021617/Chipotles-Steve-Ells-Fine-Tunes-Fast-Food.aspx |archive-date=November 7, 2010 |access-date=November 22, 2010 |website=Investor's Business Daily}} The labor-market research firm Glassdoor reported that Ells earned $29 million in 2014, versus a median of $19,000 for Chipotle's workers, making the CEO-to-worker pay ratio 1522:1.{{cite web |last=Chamberlain |first=Andrew |date=August 15, 2015 |title=EO to Worker Pay Ratios: Average CEO Earns 204 Times Median Worker Pay |url=https://www.glassdoor.com/research/ceo-pay-ratio/ |work=Glassdoor}}

On February 13, 2018, Chipotle announced that Taco Bell CEO Brian Niccol would replace Ells as CEO starting on March 5 while Ells would retain his chairman position.

On March 6, 2020, Ells resigned as chairman and left the board of directors, breaking his final ties to the company. At the same time, Niccol was appointed chairman and the size of the board was reduced from 10 to 7 directors.{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Dalvin |date=March 6, 2020 |title=Chipotle founder Steve Ells steps down as executive chairman |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/03/06/chipotle-founder-steve-ells-steps-down-executive-chairman-role/4973263002/ |newspaper=USA Today}}

On August 13, 2024, Starbucks announced it was hiring Niccol as its next CEO.{{Cite news |last=Kaye |first=Danielle |date=2024-08-13 |title=Starbucks Names Chipotle Boss as New C.E.O. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/13/business/starbucks-ceo-brian-niccol-chipotle.html |access-date=2024-08-13 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Chief Operating Officer Scott Boatwright was appointed by the board as interim CEO effective August 31, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Luhn |first=Michele |date=2024-08-13 |title=Chipotle stock falls as CEO Brian Niccol leaves for Starbucks |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/13/chipotle-stock-falls-as-ceo-brian-niccol-leaves-for-starbucks.html |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=CNBC |language=en}} At the same board meeting, company director Scott Maw was named chairman of the board and retiring CFO Jack Hartung was named president.{{cite press release |title=Chipotle announces CEO departure |date=August 13, 2024 |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chipotle-announces-ceo-departure-302221022.html |work=PR Newswire}} Four months later, Boatwright was named permanent CEO by the board in November 2024.{{cite news |date=November 11, 2024 |title=Chipotle Mexican Grill names Scott Boatwright as permanent CEO |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/11/chipotle-mexican-grill-names-scott-boatwright-as-permanent-ceo.html |work=CNBC |agency=Reuters}}

Chipotle's key management as of May 2025 consists of:{{Cite web |title=Management |url=https://ir.chipotle.com/management |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=www.chipotle.com |language=en-us}}

• Scott Boatwright, Chief Executive Officer and Board member
• Adam Rymer, Chief Financial Officer
• Chris Brandt, Chief Brand Officer
• Curt Garner, Chief Customer and Technology Officer
• John R. Hartung, President and Chief Strategy Officer
• Laurie Schalow, Chief Corporate Affairs and Food Safety Officer

All of Chipotle's restaurants are company-owned, rather than franchised.{{cite news |author= |date=November 24, 2007 |title=Chipotle chalks up successby defying fast-food gospel |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/24/Business/Chipotle_chalks_up_su.shtml |access-date=November 4, 2009 |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times}} {{As of|2012|12}}, 1430 restaurants have since opened throughout the United States and Canada, with locations in 43 states, Ontario, British Columbia, and the District of Columbia.{{cite web |author= |date=December 30, 2010 |title=2010 Form 10-K, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1058090/000119312511039010/d10k.htm |access-date=February 26, 2011 |publisher=United States Securities and Exchange Commission |page=22}}{{cite news |author= |date=April 20, 2011 |title=Chipotle Mexican Grill posts higher 1Q profit |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9MNLAG00.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026061553/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9MNLAG00.htm |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |access-date=April 21, 2011 |magazine=Bloomberg Businessweek}}

The field team are the employees who work closely with but not directly within specific restaurants. The field support system includes apprentice team leaders (step up from restaurateurs), team leaders or area managers, team directors and regional directors (not atypical for them to oversee more than fifty locations).{{cite web |author= |date=December 31, 2011 |title=2011 Form 10-K Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1058090/000119312512052969/d280751d10k.htm |access-date=October 19, 2012 |publisher=SEC}} Because Chipotle does not franchise, all restaurants are owned and operated directly by the corporation itself. Thus, whenever Chipotle is in the process of launching a new location, the field team hires a new general manager and trains them at a current location so that they will be ready for the new location when it opens for business. The corporate office takes care of finding and funding new locations as well.{{cite book |last1=Hitt |first1=Michael A. |title=Strategic Management Cases: Competitiveness and Globalization |publisher=Cengage Learning |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-133-49524-6 |edition=tenth}}

In July 2023, the company announced it was testing a robot developed to cut the time to prepare avocados for guacamole in half amid an ongoing labor shortage. It was one of multiple chains incorporating automation into its operations at the time.{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |date=2023-07-12 |title=Chipotle tests robot that can prepare avocados to make guacamole faster |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/12/chipotle-tests-robot-to-prepare-avocados-for-guacamole.html |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=CNBC |language=en}}

According to an article in The Motley Fool, Chipotle had 17 locations outside of the United States by October 2014 with the majority in Canada, and the UK was in the process of opening more locations.{{cite news |url=http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/10/17/why-chipotle-mexican-grill-stock-looks-like-a-grea.aspx |title=Why Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Looks Like A Great Long Term Investment |publisher=The Motley Fool |date=October 17, 2014 |first=Jeremy |last=Bowman}} The rate of overseas expansion was slower than expected. Many of the press reviewers thought that the food was overpriced for their area.

As of 2018 there are 33 locations outside of the United States with 19 locations in Canada (Ottawa, Toronto, Markham, Vaughan, Mississauga, Oakville, Vancouver), 6 locations in the United Kingdom (London), 6 in France (with 1 in Lyon, and the rest in Paris), and 2 in Germany (Frankfurt).{{better source needed|date=February 2017|reason=numbers not supported by current refs}}{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2013/02/05/rising-food-and-expansion-costs-could-weigh-on-chipotles-earnings/ |title=Rising Food And Expansion Costs Could Weigh On Chipotle's Earnings |magazine=Forbes |date=February 5, 2013 |author=}}{{failed verification|date=February 2021|reason=How can sources written in 2013 and 2015 support quoted numbers from the far future of 2018? Crystal ball effect???}}

In July 2023, the company announced it would partner with the Kuwait-based Alshaya Group in its first-ever franchise deal to expand into the Middle East.{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Kate |date=2023-07-18 |title=Chipotle signs first-ever franchise partner to open locations in the Middle East |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/18/chipotle-middle-east-locations-coming-next-year-via-alshaya-group-deal.html |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=CNBC |language=en}}

File:ChipotleMexicanGrillMarkham3.jpg

In August 2008, Chipotle opened its first location outside of the United States in Toronto, Canada. A second Toronto store opened in 2010.{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/chipotle-mexican-grill-shares-are-a-bit-too-spicy/article1377122/ |title=Chipotle Mexican Grill shares are a bit too spicy |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=August 16, 2010 |first=David |last=Milstead}} The first Canadian location outside Toronto opened in Vancouver in December 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.biv.com/article/2012/12/chipotle-opens-first-vancouver-restaurant/ |title=Chipotle opens first Vancouver restaurant |website=Business in Vancouver |date=December 13, 2012 |first=Glen |last=Korstrom |access-date=November 16, 2014}} Chipotle has six locations in the Vancouver-area, including Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Port Coquitlam, Langley and Surrey.{{cite web |last1=William-Ross |first1=Lindsay |title=Chipotle moving into an old Starbucks location in downtown Vancouver |url=https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/food-and-drink/chipotle-moving-into-an-old-starbucks-location-in-downtown-vancouver-5163649 |website=Vancouver Is Awesome |publisher=Glacier Media Group |access-date=10 July 2023 |language=en |date=15 March 2022|quote=Chipotle also has several locations across Metro Vancouver, including in Burnaby, West Vancouver, Surrey, and Langley. In Port Coquitlam, Chipotle operates its "Chipotlane" model - it's a drive-through pick up for pre-placed orders (not on-demand ordering through a speaker like other fast-food chains). It's the first Chipotlane in Canada, too.}} In 2023, Chipotle announced that seventh store would open up in the Vancouver region.{{cite web |first= Lindsay |last=William-Ross|title=Chipotle moving into an old Starbucks location in downtown Vancouver |url=https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/food-and-drink/chipotle-moving-into-an-old-starbucks-location-in-downtown-vancouver-5163649#:~:text=The%20U.S.%2Dbased%20chain%20has,a%20new%20location%20in%20Vancouver. |website=Vancouver Is Awesome |access-date=10 July 2023 |language=en |date=15 March 2022 |quote=Chipotle also has several locations across Metro Vancouver, including in Burnaby, West Vancouver, Surrey, and Langley. In Port Coquitlam, Chipotle operates its "Chipotlane" model - it's a drive-through pick up for pre-placed orders (not on-demand ordering through a speaker like other fast-food chains). It's the first Chipotlane in Canada, too.}} The first location in the country's Capital opened in February 2017 at the Rideau Centre.{{cite news |url=https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/chipotle-now-open-in-ottawa-1.3268125 |title=Chipotle now open in Ottawa |website=CTV News |date=February 2, 2017 |author=}} Across Canada, there are 26 stores in Ontario, 16 in British Columbia, and 2 in Alberta.{{cite web|title=Chipotle Locations|url=https://locations.chipotle.ca/|language=en|access-date=21 August 2024}}

File:Chipotle London Baker St.jpg]]

Chipotle expanded to Europe with the first European restaurant opening in May 2010 in London.{{cite news |author= |date=May 10, 2010 |title=Chipotle opens restaurant in London, its 1st in EU |url=http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/05/10/daily4.html |access-date=May 10, 2010 |work=Denver Business Journal}}{{cite news |url=http://www.smartplanet.com/people/blog/pure-genius/chipotle-founder-why-grass-fed-animals-make-a-better-burrito/3231/ |title=Chipotle founder: Why grass-fed animals make a better burrito |last=Kaplan |first=Melanie D.G. |website=SmartPlanet |date=April 12, 2010 |access-date=April 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809135231/http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/pure-genius/chipotle-founder-why-grass-fed-animals-make-a-better-burrito/3231 |archive-date=August 9, 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/a-triple-helping-of-american-fast-food-1991820.html |title=A triple helping of American fast food: Three major US restaurant chains are launching in the UK, but do British consumers have the appetite? |newspaper=The Independent |date=June 5, 2010 |first=James |last=Thompson |access-date=November 16, 2014}} A second location opened in London in September 2011.{{cite news |url=http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Venues/Mexican-restaurant-chain-Chipotle-opens-second-UK-site |title=Mexican restaurant chain Chipotle opens second UK site |website=BigHospitality |date=September 2, 2011 |first=Becky |last=Paskin}} The following year, three additional locations quickly opened in the London area.{{cite news |url=http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Venues/Chipotle-to-open-third-fourth-and-fifth-restaurants-in-London |title=Chipotle to open third, fourth and fifth restaurants in London |website=BigHospitality |date=March 13, 2012 |first=Luke |last=Nicholls |archive-date=April 29, 2017 |access-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429130635/http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Venues/Chipotle-to-open-third-fourth-and-fifth-restaurants-in-London |url-status=dead }} After this growth spurt, the rate of further expansion in London slowed greatly with the sixth location appearing in 2013{{cite news |url=http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Business/Chipotle-to-open-sixth-London-restaurant |title=Chipotle to open sixth London restaurant |website=BigHospitality |date=September 20, 2012 |first=Emma |last=Eversham}} and the seventh in June 2015.{{cite news |url=http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Venues/Chipotle-opening-seventh-London-site |title=Chipotle opening seventh London site |website=BigHospitality |date=April 13, 2015 |first=Sophie |last=Witts |archive-date=April 29, 2017 |access-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429125532/http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Venues/Chipotle-opening-seventh-London-site |url-status=dead }} Although Chipotle blames the slow growth in the United Kingdom on the British unfamiliarity with Mexican foods,{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-02-26/why-chipotle-sales-lag-in-london |title=Why Chipotle Sales Lag in London |newspaper=Bloomberg News |date=February 26, 2013 |first=Venessa |last=Wong}} several locally owned burrito chains had opened locations across the United Kingdom during the same interval.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-04-23/chipotle-s-slow-london-sales-open-door-for-u-k-burritos |title=Chipotle's Slow London Sales Open Door for U.K. Burritos |newspaper=Bloomberg News |date=April 23, 2013 |first=Matthew |last=Boyle}} {{as of|February 2024}}, there were 19 UK locations, of which 17 were in London.{{cite web |title=Chipotle Locations in the UK |url=https://locations.chipotle.co.uk/ |publisher=Chipotle |accessdate=February 21, 2024}}{{better source needed|date=February 2024}}

The first location in France opened in Paris in May 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.lexpress.fr/styles/saveurs/recette/on-a-teste-le-premier-chipotle-mexican-grill-a-paris-9e_1120953.html |title=On a testé le premier Chipotle à Paris 9e |first=Anne-Laure |last=Pham |date=May 31, 2012 |magazine=L'Express |language=fr |trans-title=We tested the first Chipotle in Paris 9th |access-date=November 16, 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://www.gurufocus.com/news/148933/chipotle-mexican-grill-inc-reports-operating-results-10q |title=Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. Reports Operating Results (10-Q) |date=October 21, 2011 |website=GuruFocus |access-date=November 17, 2011 |author=}} Expansion in France was much slower than that in the United Kingdom or Canada, with a second location in Paris opening in 2013{{cite news |url=http://www.fastandfood.fr/2013/10/15/chipotle-ouvre-un-restaurant-au-centre-commercial-beaugrenelle/ |title=Chipotle ouvre un restaurant au centre commercial Beaugrenelle |website=fastandfood |date=October 15, 2013 |language=fr |author= |trans-title=Chipotle opened a restaurant at the Beaugrenelle shopping center |access-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924010610/http://www.fastandfood.fr/2013/10/15/chipotle-ouvre-un-restaurant-au-centre-commercial-beaugrenelle/ |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=dead }} and a third location in 2014.{{cite news |url=http://www.lexpress.fr/styles/saveurs/le-plus-grand-restaurant-chipotle-au-monde-ouvrira-a-la-defense_1495914.html |title=Le plus grand restaurant Chipotle au monde ouvre fin mars à la Défense |magazine=L'Express |date=December 27, 2014 |first=Ulla |last=Majoube |language=fr |trans-title=The biggest Chipotle restaurant in the world opens in late March on la Défense}} At the time of its opening in 2014, the restaurant at La Défense was the largest Chipotle location in the world at {{convert|7000|sqft|m2}}, while a typical Chipotle restaurant is usually between {{convert|2200|sqft|m2}} and {{convert|2500|sqft|m2}}.{{cite news |url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/eat-drink/article/paris-to-become-home-to-biggest-chipotle-restaurant-in-world |title=Paris to become home to biggest Chipotle restaurant in world |newspaper=Malay Mail |date=March 5, 2014 |author=}} A fourth Parisian location was opened in Levallois-Perret in 2015{{cite news |url=http://www.lesechos.fr/16/09/2015/lesechos.fr/021332272564_l-americain-chipotle-vient-defier-mcdo-en-france.htm |title=L'américain Chipotle vient défier McDo en France |newspaper=Les Échos |date=September 16, 2015 |language=fr |first=Christophe |last=Palierse |trans-title=The American Chipotle comes defy McDo in France}} followed by a fifth{{cite news |url=https://www.lebonbon.fr/paris/news/chipotle-ouvre-une-nouvelle-taqueria-a-st-germain-des-pres/ |title=Chipotle ouvre une nouvelle taqueria à St Germain des Près ! |website=Le Bonbon |date=September 14, 2016 |language=fr |author= |trans-title=Chipotle opens a new taqueria in St Germain des Pres! |access-date=February 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223041539/https://www.lebonbon.fr/paris/news/chipotle-ouvre-une-nouvelle-taqueria-a-st-germain-des-pres/ |archive-date=February 23, 2017 |url-status=dead }} Parisian location in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in 2016. The company opened its seventh location in France and its first location outside the Paris region, inside Lyon's La Part-Dieu shopping mall in 2021.{{cite news |url=https://www.neorestauration.com/article/ouverture-aujourd-hui-du-premier-chipotle-a-lyon,61321 |title=Ouverture du premier Chipotle à Lyon |first=Encarna |last=Bravo |date=November 12, 2021 |work=Neo Restauration |language=fr |trans-title=Opening of the first Chipotle in Lyon}}{{cite news |url=https://www.lyonmag.com/article/118803/lyon-ouverture-d-un-restaurant-chipotle-a-la-part-dieu |title=Lyon : ouverture d'un restaurant Chipotle à la Part-Dieu |date=November 2, 2021 |work=Lyon Magazine |language=fr |trans-title=Lyon: opening of a Chipotle restaurant at Part-Dieu}}

The first location in Germany opened up in Frankfurt's Skyline Plaza shopping mall in August 2013.{{cite news |url=http://www.genussmagazin-frankfurt.de/gastro_news/Auf-und-Zu-19/Ol-Chipotle-Mexican-Grill-eroeffnet-in-der-Skyline-Plaza-18858.html?newsletter_id=1469 |title=Chipotle Mexican Grill eröffnet in der Skyline Plaza |date=June 6, 2013 |magazine=Genuss Magazin Frankfurt |language=de |trans-title=Chipotle Mexican Grill opened in the Skyline Plaza |access-date=November 16, 2014 |author=}}{{cite news |url=http://www.genussmagazin-frankfurt.de/gastro_news/Top-Themen-Genusswoche-34/Burritofurt-Die-Burritos-erobern-Frankfurt-19951.html |title=Die Burritos erobern Frankfurt |date=October 14, 2013 |magazine=Genuss Magazin Frankfurt |first=Isabella |last=Caldart |language=de |trans-title=The burritos conquer Frankfurt |access-date=November 16, 2014}} A second location opened in Frankfurt's MyZeil shopping mall in April 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.food-service.de/maerkte/news/ecemyzeil-foodtopia-ist-eroeffnet-42712 |title=Foodtopia ist eröffnet |date=April 11, 2019 |magazine=Food Service |language=de |trans-title=Foodtopia has opened |access-date=May 2, 2019 |first=Jutta |last=Pfannschmidt-Wahl}}

File:Chipotle Brandon.jpeg

Chipotle's menu consists of five items: burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, and salads. The price of each item is based on the choice of chicken, pork carnitas, barbacoa, steak, tofu-based "sofritas",{{cite news |url=http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=5846&catId=8 |title=Chipotle's Vegan Sofritas Now Served in All of CA |first=Tommy |last=Dean |date=June 6, 2013 |magazine=VegNews |access-date=July 11, 2013 }}{{cite web |url=http://chipotle.com/en-US/html/sofritas.html |title=Vegans and Carnivores Unite |work=Chipotle Mexican Grill |access-date=April 13, 2015 |date= |author= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408181239/http://www.chipotle.com/en-US/html/sofritas.html |archive-date=April 8, 2015 |quote=Try our new braised tofu sofritas at all Chipotle locations.}} or vegetarian (with guacamole or queso, which would be at an extra charge otherwise). Additional optional toppings are offered free of charge, including: rice, beans, four types of salsa, fajita vegetables, sour cream, cheese, and lettuce.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailynews.com/dining/ci_3433386 |title=Chipotle Mexican Grill in Cerritos |newspaper=Los Angeles Daily News |last=Jones |first=Robin |date=April 25, 2006 |access-date=September 25, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308144459/http://www.dailynews.com/dining/ci_3433386 |archive-date=March 8, 2008 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.chipotle.com/#flash/food_ingredients |title=Chipotle – Ingredients |publisher=Chipotle Mexican Grill |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date= |author=}} Although Chipotle styles itself as a "Mexican Grill," its menu is more accurately characterized as Cal-Mex, a form of Mexican-American cuisine with its roots in California. File:Chipotle Chips and Queso.jpg When asked in 2007 about expanding the menu, Steve Ells said, "[I]t's important to keep the menu focused, because if you just do a few things, you can ensure that you do them better than anybody else."{{cite news |url=http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/feb2007/id20070216_695485.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218093639/http://businessweek.com/innovate/content/feb2007/id20070216_695485.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 18, 2007 |title=Chipotle: Fast Food with 'Integrity' |date=February 16, 2007 |magazine=BusinessWeek |access-date=September 14, 2009 |author=}} Chipotle also offers a children's menu.{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/medford/2009/09/chipotle_to_offer_free_kids_me.html |title=Chipotle to offer free kid's meals at local restaurants |date=September 24, 2009 |website=Boston.com |access-date=December 16, 2009 |first=Brian |last=Benson}}{{cite news |url=http://www.parents.com/recipes/healthyeating/parents-best-chain-restaurant-dishes/ |title=20 Best Kids-Menu Dishes |first=Karen |last=Cicero |magazine=Parents |date=March 2015 |access-date=April 13, 2015}} Most restaurants sell beer and margaritas in addition to soft drinks and fruit drinks.{{cite news |last=Halpern |first=Steven |date=April 9, 2010 |url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/09/chipolte-mexican-cmg-grilled-gains-in-fast-casual/ |title=Chipotle Mexican (CMG): Grilled Gains in 'Fast-Casual' |publisher=BloggingStocks |access-date=April 21, 2010 |archive-date=April 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410185808/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/09/chipolte-mexican-cmg-grilled-gains-in-fast-casual/ |url-status=dead }}

The majority of food is prepared in each restaurant. Some exceptions are the beans and carnitas, which are prepared at a central kitchen in Chicago, Illinois.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/27/magazine/27FOOD.html |title=The Way We Eat |first=Amanda |last=Hesser |date=February 27, 2005 |magazine=The New York Times Magazine |access-date=April 25, 2007}} None of the restaurants have freezers, microwave ovens, or can openers.{{cite news|last=Carter |first=Ryan |date=December 10, 2008 |url=http://www.recordherald.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=132390&TM=79406.87 |title=Chipotle Mexican Grill to open Friday |newspaper=Record Herald |access-date=November 8, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715164149/http://www.recordherald.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=132390&TM=79406.87 |archive-date=July 15, 2011 }}

The chain experimented with breakfast foods at two airports in the Washington (D.C.) metropolitan area but decided against expanding the menu in that direction.{{cite news |url=http://www.cabot.net/Issues/CWA/Archives/2010/05/Listen-to-the-Market.aspx |title=Ignore the News, Listen to the Market |date=May 8, 2010 |website=Cabot Investing Advice |access-date=May 14, 2010 |first=Elyse |last=Andrews |archive-date=December 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229065242/http://www.cabot.net/Issues/CWA/Archives/2010/05/Listen-to-the-Market.aspx |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/chipotle-breakfast-burrito-2014-3 |title=Here's Why You Won't See A Chipotle Breakfast Burrito Any Time Soon |first=Hayley |last=Peterson |date=March 13, 2014 |website=Business Insider |access-date=April 13, 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/chipotles-breakfast-burrito-plans-2015-4 |title=Why Chipotle doesn't serve breakfast burritos |website=Business Insider |date=April 10, 2015 |first=Hayley |last=Peterson}} Starting in 2009, selected restaurants had offered a pozole soup,{{cite web |url=http://www.chipotle.com/en-US/chicken_pozole_bowl.html |title=Chicken Pozole Bowl |work=Chipotle |access-date=February 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602125247/http://www.chipotle.com/en-US/chicken_pozole_bowl.html |archive-date=June 2, 2011 |author= |date=}}{{cite news |url=http://www.westword.com/restaurants/chipotle-tests-a-new-menu-in-colorado-but-its-no-improvement-5103426 |title=Chipotle tests a new menu in Colorado, but it's no improvement |newspaper=Westword |date=September 16, 2009 |first=Jason |last=Sheehan}}{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20110111/NEWS07/110119958/chipotle-puts-soup-on-chicago-menus |title=Chipotle puts soup on Chicago menus |newspaper=Crain's Chicago Business |date=January 11, 2011 |first=Kate |last=MacArthur}} which has since been discontinued. Starting in 2009, Chipotle tested a vegan chicken product (made by Gardein) called "Garden Blend" in various cities but discontinued it in 2010.{{cite web |url=https://vegnews.com/2009/12/chipotle-expands-garden-blend |title=Chipotle Expands Garden Blend |work=Chipotle |access-date=August 25, 2021 }}

In 2013, Chipotle began testing the tofu-based "sofritas" option (made by Hodo Soy) in Northern California restaurants; following its successful trial, it was rolled out nation-wide in 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.kcra.com/article/chipotle-adds-new-vegetarian-menu-item-in-norcal/6403837# |title=Chipotle adds new vegetarian menu item in Norcal |work=Chipotle |date=April 11, 2013 |access-date=August 25, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/chipotles-sofritas-vegan-tofu-goes-national |title=Chipotle's Sofritas vegan tofu goes national |work=Chipotle |date=November 23, 2016 |access-date=August 25, 2021}}

File:ChipotleBurritoBowl.jpg

In June 2015, Chipotle began test marketing a pork and chicken chorizo-type sausage as a new protein option at selected locations in the Kansas City area.{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/chipotle-testing-chorizo-sausage-at-select-locations |title=Chipotle testing chorizo sausage at select locations |website=Fox News Channel |date=June 4, 2015 |author=}}{{cite news |url=http://www.eater.com/2015/6/2/8709259/chipotle-tests-chorizo-burritos-kansas-city |title=Chipotle Is Testing Chorizo Burritos in Kansas City Right Now |website=Eater |date=June 2, 2015 |first=Khushbu |last=Shah}}{{cite news |url=http://www.kansascity.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/chow-town/article22817082.html |title=Chipotle uses Kansas City to test market chorizo |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |date=June 2, 2015 |first=Jill Wendholt |last=Silva}} Some food writers have expressed their health related concerns over the protein's relatively high sodium content since a {{Convert|4|oz|adj=on}} serving contains 293 calories and 803 milligrams of sodium{{cite news |url=http://www.kansascity.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/chow-town/article22990926.html |title=Thumbs up for Chipotle's chorizo on taste, but watch for the sodium |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |date=June 3, 2015 |first=Jill Wendholt |last=Silva}} while the American Heart Association’s recommended daily amount is less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium.{{cite web |url=http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyEating/About-Sodium-Salt_UCM_463416_Article.jsp |title=About Sodium (Salt) |date=November 11, 2014 |website=American Heart Association |author= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822085731/http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyEating/About-Sodium-Salt_UCM_463416_Article.jsp |archive-date=August 22, 2015 }} In contrast, the protein options with next highest sodium contents are Barbacoa with 530 milligrams and sofritas with 555 milligrams. An earlier version of the Mexican sausage was tested in Denver and New York City in 2011,{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/29/fast-food-review-chipotle-chorizo_n_887032.html |title=Fast Food Review: Chipotle's Limited-Availability Chorizo |website=The Huffington Post |date=June 29, 2011 |first=Erik R. |last=Trinidad}} but that test was terminated when that version of the sausage was perceived as looking too greasy.{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-chipotle-chorizo-0603-biz-20150602-story.html |title=Chipotle picks Kansas City to test chorizo |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=June 2, 2015 |first=Jessica |last=Wohl}} Chorizo was discontinued in September 2017{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/18/its-official-chipotle-is-ditching-chorizo-and-placing-its-bets-on-queso.html |title=It's official: Chipotle is ditching chorizo and placing its bets on queso |first=Sarah |last=Whitten |website=CNBC |date=September 18, 2017 |access-date=January 9, 2018}} but was returned to the menu in the following year for a limited time.{{Cite press release |url=https://ir.chipotle.com/2018-09-10-You-Asked-Chipotle-Answered-Chorizo-Returns |title=You Asked, Chipotle Answered. Chorizo Returns. |date=September 10, 2018 |website=ir.chipotle.com |access-date=November 8, 2018}}

In July 2020, Chipotle began test marketing a cauliflower rice option at 55 locations in Colorado and Wisconsin.{{Cite web|last=Lucas|first=Amelia|date=2020-07-13|title=Chipotle will test cauliflower rice as consumers cut grains out of their diets|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/13/chipotle-will-test-cauliflower-rice-as-consumers-follow-grain-free-diets.html|access-date=2020-07-14|website=CNBC}}

In August 2021, Chipotle began testing a company-made vegan chorizo made with pea protein.{{Cite web|last=Lucas|first=Amelia|date=2021-08-19|title=Chipotle is testing a meatless chorizo alternative in two markets|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/19/chipotle-is-testing-a-meatless-chorizo-alternative-in-two-markets.html|access-date=2020-08-25|website=CNBC}} The vegan chorizo (now called plant-based chorizo) was subsequently released nation-wide as a limited-time only item on January 3, 2022,{{Cite web|last=Lucas|first=Amelia|date=2022-01-03|title=Chipotle adds meatless chorizo to its menu for limited time|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/03/chipotle-adds-meatless-chorizo-to-its-menu-for-limited-time.html|access-date=2022-01-03|website=CNBC}} before being removed on March 4, 2022.{{citation needed|date=March 2022 }}

Chipotle accepts fax orders, and in 2005 the company added the ability to order online from their website. For both online and fax orders, customers proceed to the front of the line to pay for pre-ordered food.{{cite news|url=http://carolinanewswire.com/news/News.cgi?database=1news.db&command=viewone&id=7539&op=t |title=Chipotle Mexican Grill Opens Second Location In Greensboro |date=September 25, 2007 |publisher=Carolina Newswire |access-date=September 14, 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708121330/http://carolinanewswire.com/news/News.cgi?database=1news.db&command=viewone&id=7539&op=t |archive-date=July 8, 2011 }} In 2009, Chipotle released an app for the iPhone that allows users to find nearby Chipotle locations, place an order, and prepay with a credit card.{{cite press release |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=194775&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1324040 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017041439/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=194775&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1324040 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |title=Burritos On the Go: Locate, Order and Pay Using iPhone and iPod touch |date=August 25, 2009 |publisher=Chipotle Mexican Grill |access-date=September 14, 2009 |author= }} In 2013, Chipotle released an Android app that allows users to locate nearby Chipotle locations, place an order, prepay with a credit or gift card, and access favorites and recent orders.{{cite web |url=http://androidandme.com/2013/11/applications/fresh-meat-10-android-apps-worth-checking-out-2/ |title=Fresh Meat: 10 Android apps worth checking out |first=Steve |last=Raycraft |website=Android and Me |date=November 6, 2013 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/11/08/chipotles-mobile-ordering-app-for-android-is-now-available-in-all-locations-lets-you-pick-up-your-food-without-waiting-in-line/ |title=Chipotle's Mobile Ordering App For Android Is Now Available In All Locations, Lets You Pick Up Your Food Without Waiting In Line | first=Bertel Jr. | last=King |website=Android Police |date=November 8, 2013 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}

In late 2021, the company added a non-food item to the menu—cilantro soap. According to published reports, the soap sold out the day after its release. The soap was produced after an August 2021 Instagram post of what was thought to be a mock photo of the product. It was an effort to engage fans and haters of the herb that, "plays into a larger trend of turning digital moments into real life experiences," according to Chris Brandt, Chipotle's Chief Marketing Officer.{{Cite web|last=Maruf|first=Ramishah|date=2021-12-03|title=Chipotle is selling a cilantro soap — and people can't get enough|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/03/business/chipotle-cilantro-scented-soap/index.html|access-date=2021-12-03|website=CNN}}

In 2003, a Center for Science in the Public Interest report stated that Chipotle's burritos contain over 1,000 calories, which is nearly equivalent to two meals' worth of food.{{cite news |url=http://www.cspinet.org/new/200309301.html |title=Fresh Mex: Not Always Healthy Mex |date=September 30, 2003 |publisher=Center for Science in the Public Interest |access-date=October 11, 2009 |author=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chipotle.com/ChipotleNutrition.pdf |title=Chipotle Nutrition |publisher=Chipotle Mexican Grill |access-date=September 14, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216150022/http://www.chipotle.com/chipotlenutrition.pdf |archive-date=February 16, 2010 }} MSNBC Health.com placed the burritos on their list of the "20 Worst Foods in America" because of their high caloric content and high sodium.{{cite news |url=http://www.today.com/id/21838237 |title=The 20 worst foods in America |work=Today.com |access-date=September 14, 2009 |first=Matt |last=Goulding |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017041440/http://www.today.com/id/21838237 |url-status=dead }} When a burrito with carnitas, rice, vegetables, cheese, guacamole, and salsa was compared with a typical Big Mac, the burrito had more fat, cholesterol, carbohydrates, and sodium than the Big Mac, but it also had more protein and fiber.{{cite news |date=June 15, 2010 |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2010/06/mcdonalds-vs-chipotle-does-the-big-mac-win/58142/ |title=McDonald's vs. Chipotle: Does the Big Mac Win? |magazine=The Atlantic |access-date=July 6, 2010 |first=James |last=McWilliams}} The restaurant has also received praise—Health.com included the restaurant in its list of the "Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants".{{cite news |url=http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20411588_4,00.html |title=America's Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants |date=February 19, 2009 |publisher=Health.com |access-date=October 20, 2010 |first1=Tracy |last1=Minkin |first2=Brittani |last2=Renaud |name-list-style=amp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014162420/http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20411588_4,00.html |archive-date=October 14, 2010 |url-status=dead }}

Chipotle's vegetarian options include rice, black beans, fajita vegetables (onions and bell peppers), salsa, guacamole, queso and cheese.{{cite web |url=http://www.chipotle.com/en-US/menu/special_diet_information/special_diet_information.aspx |title=Special Diet Information |publisher=Chipotle Mexican Grill |access-date=July 6, 2010 |author= |date= |archive-date=June 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628040537/http://www.chipotle.com/en-US/menu/special_diet_information/special_diet_information.aspx |url-status=dead }} All items other than the meats, cheese, sour cream, and honey vinaigrette dressing are vegan. As of late 2013, Chipotle developed a new cooking strategy for the pinto beans, eliminating the bacon and making them vegetarian and vegan-friendly.{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/24/chipotle-pinto-beans_n_3983898.html |title=Chipotle's Pinto Beans Will Soon Ditch Pork, Be Totally Vegetarian Nationwide |first=Rachel |last=Tepper |date=September 24, 2013 |access-date=November 29, 2013 |work=The Huffington Post}} The cheese is processed with vegetable-based rennet in order to be suitable for vegetarians. In April 2010, Chipotle began testing a vegan "Garden Blend" option, which is a plant-based meat alternative marinated in chipotle adobo, at six locations in the U.S.{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcwashington.com/around-town/food-drink/Garden-Blend-Chipotles-Newest-other-white-not-meat-65181967.html |title=Garden Blend: Chipotle's Other White (Non-)Meat |website=WRC-TV |date=October 26, 2009 |last=Smyre |first=Miranda |access-date=October 31, 2009}}{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/blog/cooking/2010/04/roseville_chipotle_tests_new_vegan_option.html |title=Roseville Chipotle tests new vegan option |publisher=Sacramento Business Journal |date=April 30, 2010 |last=Anderson |first=Mark |access-date=May 3, 2010}} The flour tortillas used for the burritos and soft tacos are the only items that contain gluten.

Some customers took to the social media platform TikTok accusing Chipotle of reducing portion sizes. In June 2024, a Wells Fargo analyst and his team set investigated the matter and ordered 75 identically configured items from 8 different Chipotle locations in New York City. The team weighed each bowl and reported that portion sizes varied widely, ranging from {{Convert|14|to|27|oz}} with a median weight of {{Convert|21.5|oz}}.{{Cite web |last=Meyersohn |first=Nathaniel |date=2024-06-28 |title=An analyst ordered 75 Chipotle burrito bowls to test portion sizes|url=https://www.cnn.com/chipotle-portion-sizes-smaller-test/index.html |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=CNN |language=en}}

In 1999, while looking for ways to improve the taste of the carnitas, founder Steve Ells was prompted by an article written by Edward Behr to visit Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).{{cite news |url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1258707/chipotle_begins_serving_naturally_raised_beef_in_all_of_its/index.html |title=Chipotle Begins Serving Naturally Raised Beef in All of Its Minnesota Restaurants |publisher=redOrbit |date=February 8, 2008 |access-date=October 25, 2010 |author=}} Ells found the CAFOs "horrific", and began sourcing from open-range pork suppliers. This caused an increase in both the price and the sales of the carnitas burritos.

In 2001, Chipotle released a mission statement called Food With Integrity, which highlighted Chipotle's efforts to increase their use of naturally raised meat, organic produce, and dairy without added hormones.{{cite news |url=http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=861802&category=LIFE |title=Integrity is key to Chipotle brand |newspaper=Times Union (Albany) |date=November 5, 2009 |access-date=November 5, 2009 |first=Steve |last=Barnes}} Chipotle uses only the leg and thigh meat from its chickens; at least one location sells the breast meat to Panera Bread.{{cite news |url=http://www.oceancitytoday.net/news/2011-11-11/Business/Chipotle_Mexican_Grill_coming_to_West_OC.html |title=Chipotle Mexican Grill coming to West OC |last=Powell |first=Nancy |date=November 11, 2011 |publisher=Ocean City Today |access-date=September 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513231202/http://www.oceancitytoday.net/news/2011-11-11/Business/Chipotle_Mexican_Grill_coming_to_West_OC.html |archive-date=May 13, 2012}}

Ells testified before the United States Congress in support of the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, which was aimed to reduce the amount of antibiotics given to farm animals.{{cite news|url=http://www.drovers.com/news_editorial.asp?pgID=675&ed_id=5758 |title=Chipotle supports proposed ban on antibiotics |date=July 16, 2009 |publisher=Drovers |access-date=April 12, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903145527/http://www.drovers.com/news_editorial.asp?pgID=675 |archive-date=September 3, 2010 }}

From 2006 to 2012, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), a Floridian farmworker organization, protested Chipotle's refusal to sign a Fair Food agreement, which would commit the restaurant chain to pay a penny-per-pound premium on its Florida tomatoes to boost tomato harvesters' wages, and to only buy Florida tomatoes from growers who comply with the Fair Food Code of Conduct.{{cite news |last=Arellano |first=Kristi |date=September 13, 2006 |url=http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_4327141 |title=Chipotle squeezed over Fla. tomatoes |newspaper=The Denver Post |access-date=April 14, 2009}} In 2009, the creators of the documentary film Food, Inc. (along with 31 other leaders in the sustainable food movement) signed an open letter of support for the CIW's campaign, stating that, "If Chipotle is sincere in its wishes to reform its supply chain, the time has come to work with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers as a true partner in the protection of farmworkers rights."{{cite web |date=June 15, 2009 |url=http://www.ciw-online.org/letter_to_Chipotle.html |title=Sustainable food leaders' letter to Chipotle CEO Steve Ells |publisher=Coalition of Immokalee Workers |access-date=October 1, 2009 |author= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814122210/http://www.ciw-online.org/letter_to_Chipotle.html |archive-date=August 14, 2009 |url-status=dead }} In September 2009, Chipotle announced that it would sidestep partnership with the CIW and instead work directly with East Coast Growers and Packers to increase wages for its tomato pickers.{{cite news |last=Glover |first=Katherine |date=September 10, 2009 |url=http://industry.bnet.com/food/1000979/chipotle-agrees-to-raise-tomato-wages-finally/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917005439/http://industry.bnet.com/food/1000979/chipotle-agrees-to-raise-tomato-wages-finally/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 17, 2009 |title=Chipotle Agrees to Raise Tomato Wages (Finally) |publisher=BNET |access-date=September 10, 2009}} Ells framed the dispute as a fundamental issue of control, stating that, "the CIW wants us to sign a contract that would let them control Chipotle's decisions regarding food in the future".{{cite news |url=http://www.coloradanmagazine.org/2011/08/19/at-the-table-with-steve-ells/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021023452/http://www.coloradanmagazine.org/2011/08/19/at-the-table-with-steve-ells/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2011 |title=At the table with Steve Ells |date=August 19, 2011 |magazine=Coloradan Magazine |access-date=September 15, 2011 |first=Clay |last=Evans }} In October 2012, Chipotle signed an agreement with the CIW and became the 11th company to join the organization's Fair Food Program.{{cite news |last=Hatfield |first=Leslie |date=October 9, 2012 |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-hatfield/now-with-more-integrity-c_b_1942984.html |title=Now With More Integrity: Chipotle Gets With The Fair Food Program |website=Huffington Post |access-date=November 5, 2012}}

In January 2015, Chipotle pulled carnitas from its menu in a third of its restaurants; company officials cited animal welfare problems at one of the suppliers, found during a regular audit, as the reason. Subsequently, a false rumor spread online claiming it was done to appease Muslims who consider pork to be unclean, leading to some protests on social media.{{cite web |url=http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/chipotlepork.asp |title=Pulled Pork |website=Snopes.com |date=January 15, 2015 |author=}} The company still uses antibiotic-free and hormone-free steak in its restaurants, despite being briefly forced to "serve beef that is not naturally raised" during the summer of 2013, posting an in-store notice each time that occurred.{{cite news |url=http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_23850995/chipotle-changing-its-standards-will-sell-beef-treated |title=Chipotle says its beef remains antibiotic-free |newspaper=The Denver Post |first=Howard |last=Pankratz |date=August 13, 2013}} Roberto Ferdman of The Washington Post opined that Chipotle's stated mission to sell "food with integrity" may be "untenable" if meat producers continue to breach Chipotle's ethical standards.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/01/14/why-chipotles-pork-problem-is-a-bad-sign-for-its-future/ |title=Why Chipotle's pork problem is a bad sign for its future |last=Ferdman |first=Roberto A. |date=January 14, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=March 4, 2015}}

Also in 2015, Chipotle stopped using genetically modified corn and soybeans in their foods, claiming to be the first nationwide restaurant to cook completely GMO free.{{cite news |last1=Strom |first1=Stephanie |title=Chipotle to Stop Using Genetically Altered Food |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/27/business/chipotle-to-stop-serving-genetically-altered-food.html?_r=0 |access-date=26 May 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=April 26, 2015}} However, in 2019, Chipotle paid $6.5 million to settle a lawsuit where the plaintiffs claimed that the company's food "may have been sourced from livestock that consumed GMO animal feed".{{cite news |last1=Lalley |first1=Heather |title=CHIPOTLE TO PAY $6.5M TO SETTLE CLASS-ACTION SUIT OVER NON-GMO CLAIMS |url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/marketing/chipotle-pay-65m-settle-class-action-suit-over-non-gmo-claims |access-date=26 May 2021 |publisher=Restaurant Business |date=September 13, 2019}}

In 2017, Chipotle committed to transitioning away from birds bred to maximize growth at the expense of animal well-being. However, in 2024, investigations by animal welfare groups showed that they were failing to meet these standards.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-28 |title=Chipotle Claims Better Animal Welfare Standards, but a New Investigation Suggests Otherwise |url=https://sentientmedia.org/chipotle-animal-welfare-investigation/ |access-date=2025-07-04 |language=en-US}}

Since 2008, a former Kansas State University food safety professor has accused Chipotle of confusing the public by using such terms as "naturally raised meats", "organic ingredients", and "locally sourced" and trying to equate those terms with food safety.{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/12/11/was-chipotle-s-freshness-obsession-its-downfall.html |title=Was Chipotle's Freshness Obsession Its Downfall? |work=The Daily Beast |date=December 11, 2015 |first=Samantha |last=Allen}} In rebuttal, a Chipotle spokesperson told The Daily Beast that "all of our practices have always been very much within industry norms. It's important to note that restaurant practices are regulated by health codes, and restaurants are routinely inspected by health officials. Everything we have done in our supply chain and in our restaurants has been within industry norms." Yet, FiveThirtyEight pointed out that the 2015 norovirus outbreak appears to be unusual{{cite news |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/chipotles-norovirus-outbreak-is-not-a-typical-norovirus-outbreak/ |title=Chipotle's Norovirus Outbreak Is Not A Typical Norovirus Outbreak |work=FiveThirtyEight |date=December 11, 2015 |first=Leah |last=Libresco}} and others are criticizing their food sourcing or handling practices.{{cite news |url=https://www.vox.com/business-and-finance/2015/12/12/9910642/chipotle-gmo-e-coli |title=Was Chipotle too busy avoiding the fake dangers of GMOs to focus on actual food safety? |work=Vox |date=December 11, 2015 |first=Timothy B. |last=Lee}}{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2015/12/11/turns-out-chipotles-been-making-people-sick-for-months/ |title=Turns out Chipotle's been making people sick for months |work=New York Post |date=December 11, 2015|first=Lisa |last=Fickenscher}} MarketWatch wrote that the result of all of these outbreaks will be to force Chipotle to obtain their produce from larger corporate farms that can afford the more extensive microbial food-safety testing programs and to process vegetables at centralized locations instead of at the individual stores, both of which are industry-standard practices that the company had previously criticized.{{cite news |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/chipotle-altering-plans-after-e-coli-outbreak-2015-12-15 |title=Chipotle altering plans after E. coli outbreak |work=MarketWatch |date=December 15, 2015|first=Julie |last=Jargon}} The New York Times implied that the company's insistence on maintaining its long standing rhetoric about "food integrity" seemed to be quite opposite with the realities of recent current events and made it appear that the management was just ignoring their current problems.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/22/business/chipotle-e-coli-cases-rise-with-5-more-ill-in-midwest.html?_r=0 |title=Chipotle E. coli Cases Rise, With 5 More Ill in Midwest |work=The New York Times |date=December 21, 2015|author=Strom, Stephanie |quote="Consumers will conclude that these people have not done anything in spite of what they've been saying, and that becomes a credibility issue," he [Dr. Ian Williams] said. "For a company like Chipotle, which talks a lot about the integrity of its food, that's seriously damaging."}} It also has been pointed out that Chipotle's current record-keeping system is actually hindering the health authorities' investigation in locating the sources of the various infections.

A writer for the magazine Popular Science pointed out that Chipotle had publicly acknowledged that they "may be at a higher risk for food-borne illness outbreaks than some competitors due to our use of fresh produce and meats rather than frozen, and our reliance on employees cooking with traditional methods rather than automation".{{cite news |url=http://www.popsci.com/our-food-is-so-fresh-it-will-make-you-sick |title=Chipotle: Our Food Is So Fresh, It Could Make You Sick: Why the chain's practices may increase foodborne illness |work=Popular Science |date=December 17, 2015 |first=Kevin |last=Gray}}{{cite web |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9Mjc3NjI5fENoaWxkSUQ9LTF8VHlwZT0z&t=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105002336/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9Mjc3NjI5fENoaWxkSUQ9LTF8VHlwZT0z&t=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 5, 2016 |title=2014 Annual Report and Proxy Statement |work=Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. |date=December 31, 2014 |page=14 |quote=We may be at a higher risk for food-borne illness outbreaks than some competitors due to our use of fresh produce and meats rather than frozen, and our reliance on employees cooking with traditional methods rather than automation. The risk of illnesses associated with our food might also increase in connection with an expansion of our catering business or other situations in which our food is served in conditions we cannot control. }}{{cite web |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9NTM3ODY4fENoaWxkSUQ9MjI2OTk2fFR5cGU9MQ==&t=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105002336/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9NTM3ODY4fENoaWxkSUQ9MjI2OTk2fFR5cGU9MQ==&t=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 5, 2016 |title=2013 Annual Report and Proxy Statement |work=Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. |date=December 31, 2013 |page=15 |quote=We may be at a higher risk for food-borne illness outbreaks than some competitors due to our use of fresh produce and meats rather than frozen, and our reliance on employees cooking with traditional methods rather than automation. }} Other observers have argued that the variety of pathogens implicated in different incidents (Salmonella, E. coli, and norovirus) points towards a systemic problem,{{cite news|date=December 14, 2015|title=Chipotle: The Long Defeat Of Doing Nothing Well|first=Henry I.|last=Miller|author-link=Henry I. Miller|work=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/henrymiller/2015/12/14/chipotle-the-long-defeat-of-doing-nothing-well/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151214193258/http://www.forbes.com/sites/henrymiller/2015/12/14/chipotle-the-long-defeat-of-doing-nothing-well/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 14, 2015|access-date=January 29, 2016}} and that the use of manure to grow organic food can increase the risk of spreading bacteria like E. coli.{{cite news |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/op-ed/article53776295.html |title=Chipotle's dangerous and lucrative food farce |work=The News & Observer |date=January 8, 2016 |first=Will |last=Coggin}}

In December 2015, Seattle health officials closed a Seattle-area Chipotle for a day after it had repeatedly had small numbers of violations during recent consecutive inspections that previously would not have generated a closure order.{{cite news |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/seattle-chipotle-closed-for-repeated-violations/ |title=Chipotle in Seattle closed for repeated violations |work=The Seattle Times |date=December 10, 2015 |first=JoNel |last=Aleccia}} On December 10, 2015, CEO Steve Ells released a press statement apologizing for 2015 outbreaks and promised changes to minimize the risks of future outbreaks.{{cite news |last1=Heavey |first1=Susan |last2=Patnaik |first2=Subrat |name-list-style=amp|title=Chipotle shares jump as CEO apologizes over illnesses, vows chang |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chipotle-mexican-ecoli-idUSKBN0TT1L120151210 |access-date=December 10, 2015|work=Reuters |date=December 10, 2015}}

In March and April 2008, the Community Epidemiology Branch of the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency traced a hepatitis A outbreak in San Diego County to a single Chipotle restaurant located in La Mesa, California, in which 22 customers were infected with the virus.{{cite web |url=http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/hhsa/docs/HepAUpdate.pdf |title=Hepatitis A Update – May 5, 2008 |date=May 5, 2008 |publisher=San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency |author=}}{{cite news |url=http://www.10news.com/news/more-lawsuits-filed-after-hepatitis-outbreak-at-local-restaurant |title=More Lawsuits Filed After Hepatitis Outbreak At Local Restaurant |website=KGTV |date=June 18, 2008 |author=}}

In 2008, Chipotle was implicated in a norovirus outbreak in Kent, Ohio, where over 400 people became ill after eating at a Chipotle restaurant.{{cite news |date=April 28, 2008 |url=http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=88229 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209135045/http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=88229 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 9, 2013 |title=State: Test results in on food samples taken from Kent Chipotle |website=WKYC |access-date=December 15, 2009 |author= }} Officials at the Ohio Department of Health said that the outbreak was caused by Norovirus Genotype G2.{{cite news |url=http://www.cleveland19.com/story/8236821/test-results-are-back-for-norovirus-at-kent-chipotle |title=Test Results Are Back For Norovirus at Kent Chipotle |website=WOIO |date=April 28, 2008 |author=}} Many of the victims were students at Kent State University.{{cite news |url=http://www.ohio.com/news/chipotle-in-kent-closes-after-health-scare-1.90394 |title=Chipotle in Kent closes after health scare |newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal |date=April 18, 2008 |author=}} The initial source of the outbreak was never found.

In early November 2015, The Oregonian reported that there was a little-known E. coli outbreak that had occurred earlier in July in which five people were infected with the O157:H7 strain of E. coli. The outbreak was traced to a single Chipotle location in Seattle and that the incident was not publicized at that time.{{cite news |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2015/11/chipotle_involved_in_4th_outbr.html |title=Chipotle involved in 4th outbreak this year that was kept secret |newspaper=The Oregonian |date=November 10, 2015 |first=Lynne |last=Terry}}{{cite news |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/at-least-37-now-sick-in-chipotle-e-coli-outbreak-officials-say/ |title=At least 37 now sick in Northwest Chipotle E. coli outbreak |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=November 5, 2015 |author=}} Seattle public health officials defended their actions at that time by saying that the outbreak was over by the time they made an association with Chipotle. Health officials were unable to trace the source of the July outbreak and said that the cause of the July outbreak is unrelated to the October/November outbreak.

Another norovirus outbreak was confirmed to have occurred in August 2015 at a Simi Valley, California, location in which 80 customers and 18 employees reported becoming ill.{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-norovirus-chipotle-simi-valley-illness-20150904-story.html |title=Norovirus caused illness outbreak at Ventura Chipotle restaurant, officials say |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=September 4, 2015 |first=Christine |last=Mai-Duc}}{{cite news |url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/SoCal-Chipotle-Linked-to-Norovirus-Outbreak-Affecting-Nearly-100-People-324482901.html |title=SoCal Chipotle Linked to Norovirus Outbreak Affecting Nearly 100 People: An investigation found that seven of out of 18 specimen samples tested positive for Norovirus. |website=KNBC |date=September 4, 2015 |first=Jessica |last=Perez}} Ventura County health inspectors found various health violations during two inspections following the outbreak report.{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Jennifer |title=Chipotle under criminal investigation in California norovirus outbreak |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2016/01/06/chipotle-under-criminal-investigation-in-california-norovirus-outbreak/ |access-date=6 March 2025 |work=The Denver Post |date=6 January 2016}} Despite those violations, the county health officials did not close the restaurant and allowed it to continue to operate. In a January 2016 article, The New York Times reported that the number of victims involved in the Simi Valley norovirus outbreak was actually 207, twice the number that was reported earlier.

In an unusual move, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California in conjunction with the Food and Drug Administration had gotten a federal grand jury to issue a subpoena in January 2016 as part of a criminal investigation seeking documents and information from Chipotle concerning the Simi Valley norovirus outbreak.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/07/business/chipotle-outbreak.html?_r=0 |title=Chipotle Is Subpoenaed in Criminal Inquiry Over Norovirus Outbreak |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 6, 2016 |first=Rachel |last=Abrams}}{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-chipotle-subpoena-20160106-story.html |title=Chipotle is subpoenaed in criminal probe tied to norovirus in Simi Valley |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=January 6, 2016 |first=Samantha |last=Masunaga}} {{As of|2016|January}}, it is too early to tell which organization is the actual target of the investigation. In most cases involving norovirus outbreaks that involved a single location, state and/or local authorities are the usual jurisdiction responsible in the investigation and prosecution of those type of cases. However, Ventura County officials had been criticized for their handling of parts of their investigation, and for allowing the restaurant to continue to operate after finding health violations during consecutive inspections.

Less than two weeks later, a federal class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California claiming that Chipotle knowingly allowed an ill kitchen manager to work for two days before sending that person home. Then, the restaurant actively deep-cleaned the restaurant to remove all traces of contamination prior to notifying the Ventura County Environmental Health Division of the existing outbreak, hindering their investigation. The lawsuit also claimed that the number of known victims was as high as 234 and estimates that the number of meals that the infected employee may have come in contact with could be as high 3,000.{{cite news |url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/local/simi-valley/class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-chipotle-over-norovirus-outbreak-at-simi-valley-restaurant-29b3e5-365848661.html |title=Class-action lawsuit filed against Chipotle over norovirus outbreak at Simi Valley restaurant |newspaper=Ventura County Star |date=January 19, 2016 |first=Mike |last=Harris}}{{cite news |url=http://www.eater.com/2016/1/20/10801204/chipotle-norovirus-class-action-lawsuit-california |title=Did Chipotle Try to Cover Up a Norovirus Outbreak? |website=Eater |date=January 20, 2016 |first=Ian |last=Harrison}}{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/Chipotle-Federal-Class-Action-Lawsuit-Simi-Valley-California-Norovirus-Outbreak-365891221.html |title=Lawsuit Claims Chipotle Tried to Cover Up California Norovirus Outbreak: The lawsuit, which seeks a trial by jury and unspecified damages, was filed on behalf of six students and one parent who fell ill after eating at a Chipotle in Simi Valley. |website=WNBC |date=January 20, 2016 |first=Ari |last=Mason}}

At almost the same time as the Simi Valley norovirus outbreak, Minnesota health officials confirmed a Salmonella outbreak that affected 17 Minneapolis-area Chipotle restaurants in mid-August 2015. The source of the outbreak was traced back to contaminated tomatoes that were grown in Mexico.{{cite news |url=http://www.startribune.com/twin-cities-salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-chipotle/326499341/ |title=Minnesota Salmonella outbreak linked to Chipotle restaurants: Suspect produce has already been swapped out of Twin Cities restaurants, but the Minnesota Department of Health wants to know of any severe stomach illnesses following meals at Chipotle |newspaper=Minneapolis Star Tribune |date=September 11, 2015 |first=Jeremy |last=Olson}}{{cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/tomatoes-source-of-chipotle-salmonella-outbreak-in-minnesota/327950001/ |title=Health Dept.: Tomatoes source of salmonella outbreak at Minnesota Chipotle restaurants |newspaper=Minneapolis Star Tribune |date=September 15, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017041440/http://www.startribune.com/tomatoes-source-of-chipotle-salmonella-outbreak-in-minnesota/327950001/ |archive-date=October 17, 2015 }} The Minnesota Department of Health reported that samples from 45 victims were tested and found that their illness was caused by the Salmonella Newport bacterium as determined by DNA profiling.{{cite news |url=http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2015/salmonella091015.html |title=Health officials investigating Salmonella cases linked to Chipotle restaurants in Minnesota |website=Minnesota Department of Health |date=September 10, 2015 |author= |access-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215114050/http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2015/salmonella091015.html |url-status=dead }} Later, the state officials reported that the total of persons who became infected was increased to 64 and the number Chipotle locations in which they had acquired the bacterium was increased to 22, all located within the state of Minnesota.{{cite news |url=http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2015/salmonella091615.html |title=Update: Tomatoes identified as source of Salmonella outbreak in restaurant chain |website=Minnesota Department of Health |date=September 16, 2015 |author= |access-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222094732/http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2015/salmonella091615.html |url-status=dead }}

In October 2015, at least 22 people were reported to have gotten sick after eating at several different Chipotle locations in the states of Washington and Oregon. At that time, an epidemiologist for the Washington State Department of Health said the culprit appeared to be a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli bacterium, but they were still waiting the outcome of several laboratory tests before they could give a definitive result.{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/43-washington-oregon-chipotle-restaurants-closed-after-e-coli-outbreak-n455166 |title=43 Washington and Oregon Chipotle Restaurants Closed After E. coli Outbreak |website=NBC News |date=October 31, 2015 |first=Elisha |last=Fieldstadt}}{{cite news |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/oregon-agency-probes-e-coli-cases-linked-to-chipotle/ |title=All Washington Chipotle restaurants close amid E. coli investigation |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=October 31, 2015 |first=JoNel |last=Aleccia}}{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/10/31/e-coli-chipotle/74944642/ |title=Chipotles close in Ore., Wash., after 22 sick from E. coli |newspaper=USA Today |date=October 31, 2015 |first=Mike |last=Benner}} As a precaution, Chipotle had closed 43 stores in Washington and Oregon pending the results and recommendations of the involved health authorities. On November 5, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had reported that the number of persons reported ill had risen to 40 known cases and that the bacteria samples taken from 7 infected persons in Washington and 3 persons in Oregon states were confirmed to be infected by the same strain of E. coli, the Shiga toxin-producing STEC O26 strain, as determined by DNA profiling.{{cite news |url=https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2015/O26-11-15/index.html |title=Multistate Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26 Infections Linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill in Washington and Oregon |website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |date=November 5, 2015 |author= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106012040/http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2015/O26-11-15/index.html |archive-date=November 6, 2015 |url-status=dead}} At least 12 persons required hospitalization, but there were no fatalities. As of November 2015, Health authorities were still trying to trace the exact source of the bacterial contamination, but suspected fresh produce.{{cite news |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/chipotle-e-coli-cases-continue-to-rise-in-washington/ |title=Chipotle E. coli cases continue to rise in Washington |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=November 4, 2015 |first=JoNel |last=Aleccia}}

On November 12, the CDC increased the number of known cases to 50, the number of persons requiring hospitalization to 14, and the number of DNA fingerprint confirmations to 33.{{cite news |url=https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2015/O26-11-15/index.html |title=Multistate Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26 Infections Linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill in Washington and Oregon |website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |date=November 12, 2015 |author= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113021111/http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2015/O26-11-15/index.html |archive-date=November 13, 2015 |url-status=dead}} Through a match via Pulsenet, the DNA fingerprint also matched a recent case in Minnesota, but the ill person did not eat at Chipotle. The source of the bacteria infection still had not yet been determined at the time of the report released by the CDC and the CDC is trying to use the more definitive, but more time-consuming whole genome sequencing procedure to see if they are able to determine the relationships between all of the STEC O26 cases. In the meantime, Chipotle reopened the closed restaurants on November 11 after disposing all of the food within the closed facilities and deep cleaning those facilities.{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/chipotle-reopen-washington-oregon-outlets-after-e-coli-outbreak-n460641 |title=Chipotle to Reopen Washington, Oregon Outlets After E. coli Outbreak |website=NBC News |date=November 11, 2015 |first=Maggie |last=Fox}}

On November 20, the CDC reported that the number of STEC O26 cases, as determined by DNA fingerprinting, had increased to 45 with 16 persons requiring hospitalization and the total number states being affected had increased to six.{{cite news |url=https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2015/O26-11-15/index.html |title=Multistate Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26 Infections Linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill in Washington and Oregon |website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |date=November 20, 2015 |author= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121011238/http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2015/o26-11-15/index.html |archive-date=November 21, 2015 |url-status=dead}} Besides Oregon and Washington, new cases were reported in the states of Minnesota, California, New York, and Ohio.{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2015/11/21/chipotle-e-coli-outbreak-expands-to-new-york/ |title=Chipotle E. coli outbreak expands to New York |newspaper=New York Post |date=November 21, 2015 |author=}} 43 out of 45 of the affected individuals had reported that they had eaten at a Chipotle in the week before they had become sick.

On December 4, the CDC reported that the number of STEC O26 cases, as determined by DNA fingerprinting, had increased to 52 with 20 persons requiring hospitalization and the total number states being affected had increased to nine.{{cite news |url=https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2015/O26-11-15/index.html |title=Multistate Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26 Infections Linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill in Washington and Oregon |website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |date=December 4, 2015 |author= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205002628/http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2015/o26-11-15/index.html |archive-date=December 5, 2015 |url-status=dead}} New cases were reported in the states of California (1), Illinois (1), Maryland (1), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania (1), and Washington (1).{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/chipotle-e-coli-outbreak-broadens-to-9-states_5661e4afe4b079b2818e830a |title=Chipotle E. coli Outbreak Broadens To 9 States: Illinois, Maryland and Pennsylvania are now reporting illness. |website=The Huffington Post |date=December 4, 2015 |first=Lisa |last=Baertlein}}

The price of shares for Chipotle stock dropped a further 12% immediately after the CDC had issued their update on November 20.{{cite news |url=http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/11/20/why-chipotle-mexican-grill-nimble-storage-and-ment.aspx |title=Why Chipotle Mexican Grill, Nimble Storage, and Mentor Graphics Slumped Today: The stock market posted solid gains Friday, but these stocks took big hits. Find out why. |website=The Motley Fool |date=November 20, 2015 |first=Dan |last=Caplinger}} Share prices had been dropping since the initial announcement of the E. coli outbreak in late October with investors unsure if the drop in share prices just a temporary aberration and that Chipotle management is handling the incident as well as they could. Chipotle has since hired a consultant to improve their food safety program and have their program reviewed by both the CDC and FDA.{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurengensler/2015/12/04/chipotle-e-coli-outbreak-nine-states/ |title=Chipotle Offers Dim Outlook as E. coli Outbreak Slams Sales |magazine=Forbes |date=December 4, 2015 |first=Lauren |last=Gensler}}

On February 1, 2016, the CDC official closed their investigations on the larger E. coli that started in Pacific Northwest in October 2015 and also the smaller outbreak that started in Kansas and Oklahoma in November since no new cases were reported since December 1.{{cite news|url=https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2015/O26-11-15/index.html |title=Multistate Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26 Infections Linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill in Washington and Oregon |website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |date=February 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202011101/http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2015/o26-11-15/index.html |archive-date=February 2, 2016 |url-status=dead }} In their final report, the CDC stated that 55 persons in 11 states were infected with the same strain of STEC O26 during the major outbreak with 21 of those persons requiring hospitalization. The five persons infected in the later outbreak were made ill by a genetically different strain of STEC O26. The CDC also reported that federal and local health and food safety authorities were unable to detect traces of the microorganisms in any of the food samples taken from the suspected restaurants or from their supply chain. The CDC, FDA, and the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service were unable to determine a point source that was in common in the meals that were consumed by all the victims since some of the restaurants were located far apart and had obtained some of their ingredients from different suppliers while other consumers of the suspected suppliers were not affected.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on December 21 that five more people became ill after eating at two Chipotle restaurants located in Kansas and Oklahoma in late November. Preliminary DNA fingerprinting results appear to indicated that the newer cases were caused by a different strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O26. Scientists are waiting for the results of the more definitive whole genome sequencing analyses to determine if the organisms responsible for this outbreak are genetically related to the E. coli that are responsible for causing the outbreak that had started in Oregon and Washington in late October and thus an extension of that outbreak. The agency has not yet determined which food is responsible for the outbreak.{{cite news |url=https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2015/O26-11-15/index.html |title=Multistate Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26 Infections Linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill in Washington and Oregon |website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |date=December 21, 2015 |author= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222031147/http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2015/O26-11-15/index.html |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |url-status=dead}} The Food and Drug Administration reported that they are trying to determine how the bacteria in these cases, along with the earlier Oregon, Washington, and other multi-state cases, might have been propagated through the food supply chain.{{cite web |url=https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm470410.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102001115/http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm470410.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 2, 2015|title=FDA Investigates Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O26 Infections Linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill Restaurants |website=Food and Drug Administration |date=December 21, 2015 |author=}}

File:Chipotle Mexican Grill in Cleveland Circle, December 2015.JPG

In December 2015, 80 students at Boston College, including members of the men's basketball team, were sickened after eating at a single Chipotle restaurant. Affected students had been tested for both E. coli and norovirus in order to determine the cause of the illnesses.{{Cite news |url=http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20151207/sports/151209412 |title=BC basketball team ravaged by Chipotle poisoning, due to face Providence Wednesday |date=December 7, 2015 |work=Providence Journal |access-date=September 17, 2018 |language=en}}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chipotle-mexican-ecoli-response-idUSKBN0TR1WU20151208 |title=Boston College now says 80 students ill after eating at Chipotle |work=Reuters |date=December 8, 2015 |first1=Subrat |last1=Patnaik |first2=Lisa |last2=Baertlein |name-list-style=amp}} Although it would take as long as two days before the results of more definitive tests became known, public health investigators reported that preliminary tests pointed to the presence of norovirus.{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/chipotle-outbreak-grows-80-boston-college-students-n476316 |title=Norovirus Caused Chipotle Outbreak in Boston, Officials Say |website=NBC News |date=December 8, 2015 |first=Maggie |last=Fox}} The health inspectors for the City of Boston had since closed this particular location on December 7 for a number of health violations that included maintaining meats at a too low of a temperature on the serving line and for allowing a sick employee to work at the time of the inspection.{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofboston.gov/isd/health/mfc/viewinsp.asp?inspno=278271 |title=Mayor's Food Court - Inspection Result |publisher=City of Boston |date=December 7, 2015 |author= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212012811/http://www.cityofboston.gov/isd/health/mfc/viewinsp.asp?inspno=278271 |archive-date=December 12, 2015 }}

On December 10, officials from the Boston Public Health Commission reported that tests had identified a single strain of norovirus that was responsible for this particular outbreak.{{cite news |url=http://www.wbur.org/2015/12/10/chipotle-sickness-practices |title=Boston Health Officials: Norovirus Is Behind Chipotle Outbreak Sickening Dozens |website=WBUR |date=December 10, 2015 |first=Curt |last=Nickisch}} Boston Globe reported on December 10 that 141 persons were reported to have gotten ill and that some of the newer victims had not visited Chipotle before contracting the virus{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/2015/12/08/boston-college-students-ill-after-eating-chipotle/r9qvqlMLjVdV9CxRsnpaFN/story.html |title=BC Official: There's now more than 140 students likely sick with norovirus: The Boston Public Health Commission confirmed the presence of norovirus Wednesday after testing. |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=December 10, 2015 |first1=Kristi |last1=Palma |first2=Nik |last2=DeCosta-Klipa |first3=Allison |last3=Pohle |name-list-style=amp}} and most likely became infected by being in close proximity to someone who had gotten ill at Chipotle, such as a roommate or dorm-mate. Boston authorities traced the cause of the outbreak to a sick employee who was allowed to work on the day of the outbreak. Chipotle has since fired the employee and also the manager who knowingly allowed the ill worker to complete his shift instead of following health codes.{{cite news |url=http://www.wcvb.com/news/chipotle-may-reopen-after-norovirus-outbreak/37098034 |title=Chipotle to reopen Thursday after norovirus outbreak: 140 sickened at Cleveland Circle location |website=WCVB-TV |date=December 23, 2015 |author=}}

On February 8, 2016, Chipotle closed all of its eateries nationwide for a few hours during the morning for an all-staff meeting on food safety.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/01/15/reports-chipotle-close-stores-feb-8-food-safety-review/78841420/ |title=Chipotle to close all stores on Feb. 8 for all-staff meeting on food safety |work=USA Today |date=January 15, 2016 |first1=Kevin |last1=McCoy |first2=Katharine |last2=Lackey}} The company hired a new head of food safety, who instituted changes including having all employees wash hands every half hour, having two employees verify that produce like onions, jalapeños and avocados have been immersed in hot water for five seconds to kill germs on their exteriors, and using Pascalization to pre-treat food ingredients.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/22/business/every-days-a-safety-drill-as-chipotle-woos-customers-back.html | title=Every Day's a Safety Drill as Chipotle Woos Customers Back | work=The New York Times | date=September 22, 2016 | access-date=September 21, 2016 | author=Strom, Stephanie | pages=B2}}

Since the series of food-poisoning outbreaks in 2015 lowered trust in the product, Chipotle has tried to lure back its customers with free food and heavier advertising. Same-store sales increased 17.8% percent in the first quarter of 2017.Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. First Quarter 2017 Results (April 25, 2017) [http://ir.chipotle.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=194775&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2264621 Press Release] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908175821/http://ir.chipotle.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=194775&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2264621 |date=September 8, 2017 }}

Despite corrective actions, the company faced another setback in implementing their safe food policies in July 2017. A norovirus outbreak is being investigated in Virginia. More than 130 people reported having norovirus-like symptoms and two individuals had tested positive for the virus after eating at a Chipotle restaurant in Sterling, Virginia. The Loudoun County Health Department confirmed the illnesses from July 13–16, 2017. Shares of Chipotle stock dropped more than 10% on this news.{{cite news|title=Chipotle stock down over norovirus reports|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/chipotle-stock-down-over-norovirus-reports/2017/07/24/98e299a6-709a-11e7-8839-ec48ec4cae25_story.html|access-date=July 25, 2017|newspaper=Washington Post|date=July 24, 2017}}{{cite news|title=Second norovirus case confirmed from Chipotle eatery in Virginia|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2017/07/24/second-norovirus-case-confirmed-chipotle-eatery-virginia/505834001/|access-date=July 25, 2017|newspaper=USA Today|date=July 24, 2017}} On July 25, several news agencies reported that Chipotle officials confirmed that the "recent norovirus outbreak in Virginia was the result of lax sick policy enforcement by store managers" and that the company believed that an employee was the cause of the outbreak.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/25/chipotles-recent-norovirus-outbreak-could-be-the-result-of-lax-sick-policy-enforcement.html |title=Chipotle's recent norovirus outbreak was the result of lax sick-policy enforcement |website=CNBC |date=July 25, 2017 |first=Sarah |last=Whitten}}{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/07/26/news/companies/chipotle-sick/index.html |title=Chipotle says sick employee responsible for latest outbreak |website=CNN |date=July 26, 2017 |first=David |last=Goldman}}

In late July 2018, Ohio public health officials launched an investigation after receiving 350 complaints from customers after they had eaten at a Powell, Ohio, location.{{cite news|title=More than 350 people report getting sick from Ohio Chipotle: Officials|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/350-people-report-sick-ohio-chipotle-officials/story?id=56942423|access-date=August 1, 2018|work=ABC News|date=August 1, 2018}} By mid-August, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified the bacteria that cause the outbreak which had affected over 700 people as Clostridium perfringens.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/16/chipotle-confirms-cause-of-foodborne-illness-at-ohio-restaurant.html |title=Chipotle confirms cause of foodborne illness at Ohio restaurant |website=CNBC |date=August 16, 2018 |last1=LaVito |first1=Angelica |last2=Rogers |first2=Kate |name-list-style=amp}} This food borne outbreak has been called the worst incident to date that can be traced to a single restaurant location.{{cite news |url=https://www.delish.com/food-news/a22667902/chipotles-food-poisoning-outbreak-ohio/ |title=More than 700 people have gotten sick. |website=Delish |date=August 20, 2018 |last1=Flager |first1=Madison |last2=McDowell |first2=Maya |name-list-style=amp}}{{cite news |url=https://www.refinery29.com/2018/08/206752/chipotle-sickness-ohio-outbreak-illness-reason |title=We Finally Know Why More Than 600 People Got Sick After Eating At An Ohio Chipotle |website=Refinery29 |date=August 8, 2018 |first=Olivia |last=Harrison}}

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In April 2017, Chipotle first announced that their point of sale payment system was compromised during a three-week period from late March to mid-April but gave very little information about the incident.{{cite news |url=http://fortune.com/2017/04/25/chipotles-restaurants-hacked/ |title=Chipotle Says Its Payments System Was Hacked |magazine=Fortune |date=April 25, 2017 |first=John |last=Kell}}{{cite news |url=https://www.scmagazine.com/chipotle-announced-a-breach-of-its-payment-card-system/article/653103/ |title=EMV chips with that Chipotle PoS breach? |magazine=SC Magazine |date=April 26, 2017 |first=Robert |last=Abel}} The following month, the company later revealed that 2,250 restaurants in 47 states were involved which could potentially affect hundreds of thousands of customers who may had their credit or debit card account information with security codes stolen.{{cite news |url=https://www.eater.com/2017/4/26/15433866/chipotle-data-breach-credit-cards |title=Massive Chipotle Data Breach Affected Roughly 2,250 Restaurants: More woes for the troubled burrito chain |website=Eater |date=May 30, 2017 |last1=Filloon |first1=Whitney |last2=Houck |first2=Brenna |name-list-style=amp}}{{cite news |url=https://www.marketplace.org/2017/05/29/business/chipotle-security-breach |title=Chipotle's data breach affects customers nationwide |website=Marketplace (radio program) |date=May 29, 2017 |author=}}{{cite web |url=https://www.chipotle.com/security |title=Chipotle Mexican Grill Reports Findings from Investigation of Payment Card Security Incident |publisher=Chipotle Mexican Grill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526191544/https://www.chipotle.com/security |archive-date=May 26, 2017 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=https://securityintelligence.com/news/chipotle-data-breach-investigation-shows-fraudsters-aimed-at-endpoints/ |title=Chipotle Data Breach Investigation Shows Fraudsters Aimed at Endpoints |website=SecurityIntelligence |date=June 1, 2017 |first=Shane |last=Schick}} A few restaurants in Canada were also affected.{{cite news |url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/208452/20170527/chipotle-data-breach-affected-most-restaurants-hackers-stole-customers-credit-card-information.htm |title=Chipotle Data Breach Affected Most Restaurants: Hackers Stole Customers' Credit Card Information |website=Tech Times |date=May 27, 2017 |first=Alexandra |last=Burlacu}} Some security experts criticized the way Chipotle had downplayed the incident. During the same month, a credit union in New Hampshire filed a class action lawsuit on the behalf of banks and credit unions against Chipotle for failure to provide elementary credit card data security in the most recent data breach after a similar data breach that had occurred in 2004.{{cite news |url=http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/crime/class-action-suit-filed-alleging-chipotles-elementary-security-negligence-led-to-data-breach |title=Class-action suit filed alleging Chipotle's 'elementary' security, negligence led to data breach |website=KMGH-TV |date=May 19, 2017 |first=Blair |last=Miller}} In July 2017, Gainesville, Florida, police reported that an unidentified person took more than $17,000 from an ATM at a local credit union by stealing from 40 different accounts that can be traced directly to the data breach.{{cite news |url=http://www.ocala.com/news/20170720/gainesville-pd-suspect-used-chipotle-data-to-steal-17k |title=Gainesville PD: Suspect used Chipotle data to steal $17K |newspaper=Ocala Star-Banner |date=July 20, 2017 |author=}}{{cite news |url=https://www.scmagazine.com/chipotle-data-breach-leads-to-illegal-atm-withdrawal/article/676626/ |title=Chipotle data breach leads to illegal ATM withdrawal |magazine=SC Magazine |date=July 21, 2017 |first=Doug |last=Olenick}}

A number of Chipotle mobile ordering app customers claimed that their mobile ordering app accounts had been hacked and reported fraudulent orders charged to their credit cards. Chipotle claimed that the customers were using unsecured passwords, and that any fraudulent orders were a result of this. The customers then argued that the passwords they were using were secure, and that their complaints involved an issue with the server.{{cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/04/17/chipotle-accounts-hacked/ |title=Chipotle customers are saying their accounts have been hacked |first=Zack |last=Whittaker |date=April 17, 2019 |work=TechCrunch}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bitdefender.com/blog/hotforsecurity/chipotle-customers-report-fraudulent-orders-charged-to-their-accounts |title=Chipotle customers report fraudulent orders charged to their accounts |work=Bitdefender |first=Filip |last=TruȚĂ |date=April 18, 2019}}

In November 2016, three men filed a class-action lawsuit against Chipotle alleging that a burrito was listed as containing only 300 calories, when in fact it contained more. They are seeking "unspecified damages and for an injunction against the company to prevent it from posting what it calls misleading information on its food".{{cite news|last1=Baker|first1=Debbie|title=Chipotle lawsuit claims false low calorie count made plaintiffs too full|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/whats-now/sd-me-chipotle-lawsuit-20161121-htmlstory.html|access-date=November 22, 2016|work=San Diego Tribune|date=November 21, 2016}}{{cite news|title=Chipotle's '300-calorie burrito' left customer too full, and he's suing|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2016/11/21/customers-suing-chipotle-over-300-calorie-burrito/94211910/|access-date=November 22, 2016|newspaper=USA Today|date=November 21, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Seiger|first1=Theresa|title='Excessively full' customer sues Chipotle, claiming it misstates nutritional facts|url=http://www.wpxi.com/news/hot-topics/excessively-full-customer-sues-chipotle-claiming-it-misstates-nutritional-facts/469295134|access-date=November 22, 2016|publisher=WPXI|date=November 21, 2016}}

In January 2020 the company received a $1.3 million fine from the state of Massachusetts for 13,000 child labor violations.{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Katie |title=Chipotle fined $1.3 million for child labor violations in Mass. |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/01/27/business/chipotle-cited-13-million-child-labor-violations-ma/ |date=January 27, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Healey |first1=Maura |author-link1=Maura Healey |title=AG Healey, Chipotle Reach Nearly $2 Million Settlement to Resolve Child Labor and Earned Sick Time Violations |url=https://www.mass.gov/news/ag-healey-chipotle-reach-nearly-2-million-settlement-to-resolve-child-labor-and-earned-sick |website=Mass.gov |language=en |date=January 27, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Valinsky |first1=Jordan |title=Chipotle cited with 13,253 child labor law violations in Massachusetts |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/28/business/chipotle-child-labor-law-violations/index.html |website=CNN |date=January 28, 2020}}

In May 2019, Chipotle was in the news for having dismissed a manager in St. Paul, Minnesota, who had been falsely accused of racism.{{cite news |last1=Blake|first1=John|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/25/us/false-racism-internet-mob-chipotle-video/index.html |date=May 25, 2019|access-date=November 17, 2021|publisher=CNN|title=How an internet mob falsely painted a Chipotle employee as racist}}

In December 2019, the office of the general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Peter Robb, filed a complaint against Chipotle, accusing the company of firing a worker in New York City in retaliation for trying to organize a union, as well as alleging that a manager in Manhattan threatened to fire workers if they engaged in protected union activities, implying they could even face physical violence as a result.{{Cite web |last= |date=2019-12-20 |title=Chipotle accused of violating US labor law on union organizing |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/20/chipotle-accused-of-violating-us-labor-law-on-union-organizing.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926202419/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/20/chipotle-accused-of-violating-us-labor-law-on-union-organizing.html |archive-date=2023-09-26 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=CNBC |language=en}}

In July 2022, Chipotle closed a store in Augusta, Maine, whose staff was trying to unionize, ostensibly due to staffing difficulties.{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |date=June 23, 2022 |title=Chipotle restaurant in Maine becomes chain's first to file for union election |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/23/chipotle-restaurant-in-maine-files-petition-for-union-election-.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417071131/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/23/chipotle-restaurant-in-maine-files-petition-for-union-election-.html |archive-date=2024-04-17 |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=CNBC |language=en}} In November 2022, the NLRB issued a complaint against Chipotle, accusing the company of illegally closing the Augusta store and blackballing the employees at the store in violation of the National Labor Relations Act.{{Cite web |last=WABI News Desk |date=2022-11-04 |title=NLRB issues complaint ordering Chipotle to reopen closed Augusta store |url=https://www.wabi.tv/2022/11/04/nlrb-issues-complaint-ordering-chipotle-reopen-closed-augusta-store/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104112627/https://www.wabi.tv/2022/11/04/nlrb-issues-complaint-ordering-chipotle-reopen-closed-augusta-store/ |archive-date=2022-11-04 |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=WABI 5 |language=en}}

In August 2022, a restaurant in Lansing, Michigan, became the chain's first location to vote to unionize with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |title=Chipotle restaurant in Michigan votes to unionize, in a first for the chain |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/25/chipotle-restaurant-in-michigan-votes-to-unionize-in-a-first-for-the-chain.html |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=CNBC |date=August 25, 2022 |language=en}}

At multiple points in 2022, various outlets highlighted Chipotle as an example of a restaurant chain investing in robotics and automation via Chippy, an autonomous kitchen assistant made by Miso Robotics.{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Kate |title=Chipotle is testing a robot that makes tortilla chips — and its name is 'Chippy' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/16/chipotle-tests-robot-kitchen-assistant-named-chippy-to-make-tortilla-chips.html |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=CNBC |date=March 16, 2022 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |title=Why restaurant chains are investing in robots and what it means for workers |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/27/restaurant-chains-are-investing-in-robots-bringing-change-for-workers.html |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=CNBC |date=December 27, 2022 |language=en}}

File:Chipotle free burrito day.jpg, Michigan, during a "Free Burrito Day" in 2006]]

In the past, Chipotle mainly relied on billboards, radio advertisements, and word of mouth to advertise. In 2010, the company initiated an ad campaign that mocks advice given to Chipotle by advertising agencies.{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Stuart |date=April 5, 2010 |url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/05/chipotle-bites-the-hand-it-used-to-feed/ |title=Chipotle Bites the Hand It Used to Feed |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=April 5, 2010}} In 2012, Chipotle aired its first nationally televised commercial during the 54th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony.{{cite news |last=Avila |first=Cindi |date=February 13, 2012 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/chipotle-airs-new-ad-steals-grammys-spotlight |title=Chipotle airs new ad, steals Grammys spotlight |publisher=FOXnews.com |access-date=February 13, 2012}} Chipotle has run many promotions giving out free food to potential customers, especially when opening a new store. Stores also give out free burritos on certain holidays; for instance, on Halloween, some locations have had promotions in which free burritos are given to people who come dressed as a burrito.{{Cite web |title=Chipotle's $3 Halloween burrito deal is back and bigger than ever |url=https://www.today.com/food/chipotle-s-3-burrito-halloween-promotion-t117770 |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=TODAY.com |date=October 20, 2017 |language=en}}

Chipotle gave away free burritos to reporters during the 1997 trial of Timothy McVeigh, which took place in Chipotle's hometown of Denver.{{cite news|last=Adamy |first=Jane |date=November 23, 2007 |url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/chipotle_30103___article.html/ells_food.html |title=Chain a natural success |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=April 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615024545/http://www.gazette.com/articles/chipotle_30103___article.html/ells_food.html |archive-date=June 15, 2008 }} In addition, stores offered free burritos to those displaced by Hurricane Katrina.{{cite web |url=http://www.secinfo.com/dVut2.zRuv.htm |title=Chipotle Mexican Grill SEC 2005 Filing |publisher=secinfo.com |access-date=April 3, 2009 |author= |date=December 23, 2005}} Chipotle received attention when Ozzy Osbourne's reality show The Osbournes featured the company's burritos heavily.

For Halloween 2010, Chipotle announced that customers dressed as a processed food product would receive a burrito for $2. The event was part of a $1 million fundraiser for Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution called "Boorito 2010: The Horrors of Processed Food".{{cite press release |date=October 6, 2010 |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/chipotle-and-jamie-oliver-expose-the-horrors-of-processed-food-this-halloween-2010-10-06?reflink=MW_news_stmp |title=Chipotle and Jamie Oliver Expose the Horrors of Processed Food This Halloween |website=MarketWatch |access-date=October 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020120800/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/chipotle-and-jamie-oliver-expose-the-horrors-of-processed-food-this-halloween-2010-10-06 |archive-date=October 20, 2010 |url-status=dead |author=}} For "Boorito 2011", customers dressed in costumes "inspired by family farms" will receive a menu item for $2, with proceeds from the promotion going to The Chipotle Cultivate Foundation and Farm Aid. The promotion is aimed to increase awareness of family farms.{{cite web|url=http://www.chipotle.com/en-US/fan-antics/boorito/boorito.aspx |title=Boorito |publisher=Chipotle.com |access-date=October 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020210032/http://www.chipotle.com/en-US/fan-antics/boorito/boorito.aspx |archive-date=October 20, 2011 }} Also in support of family farms, Chipotle released music videos of Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Willie Nelson.{{cite magazine |date=October 12, 2011 |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1786831/karen-o-joins-forces-with-chipotle-to-support-american-farmers?partner=gnews |title=Karen O Joins Forces With Chipotle To Support American Farmers |magazine=Fast Company |access-date=October 20, 2011 |first=Morgan |last=Clendaniel}}

On September 12, 2013, Chipotle released an animated short called The Scarecrow, with a companion mobile video game; both feature a narrative heavily critical of industrial farming, but little in the way of direct marketing for the chain.{{cite news |last=Horovitz |first=Bruce |date=September 12, 2013 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/09/12/chipotle-big-food-millennial-marketing/2798023/ |title=Chipotle targets Big Food, skips big branding |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=September 14, 2013}} The short features a cover of "Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, sung by Fiona Apple.{{cite news |last=Roberts |first=Randall |date=September 13, 2013 |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-fiona-apple-covers-willy-wonka-in-striking-new-chipotle-clip-20130913,0,6756902.story |title=Fiona Apple covers Willy Wonka in striking new Chipotle clip |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 14, 2013}} It was named one of the worst advertisements of 2013 by The Wall Street Journal.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304591604579288643406741548 |title=The Best and Worst Ads of 2013 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=February 20, 2015 |first=Suzanne |last=Vranica |date=December 29, 2013}}

In 2011, Chipotle created the "Farm Team", which is a rewards program available only by invitation from restaurant managers. The Farm Team members have access to a special Chipotle website, where members can earn rewards, i.e. free food and T-shirts. The site offers members to, "learn where Chipotle’s food comes from, take quizzes and polls, play games and watch videos about the company".{{cite news |last=Hicks |first=L. Wayne |date=September 2, 2011 |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/print-edition/2011/09/02/chipotles-farm-team-grows-customer.html?page=all |title=Chipotle's Farm Team grows customer loyalty |work=Denver Business Journal |access-date=November 29, 2011}} In April 2014, the Farm Team program was shut down.{{cite web |url=https://www.chipotle.com/en-US/farm_team/farm_app_end.aspx |title=Farm Team: Important Announcement |work=Chipotle |date= |author= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512221055/https://www.chipotle.com/en-US/farm_team/farm_app_end.aspx |archive-date=May 12, 2014 |url-status=dead}}

Chipotle sponsors Team Garmin-Barracuda (formerly Team Garmin-Chipotle, Team Garmin-Slipstream, Team Garmin-Transitions and Team Garmin-Cervélo) of the International Cycling Union,{{cite web |last=Rogers |first=Neal |date=November 25, 2008 |url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/11/news/road/garmin-presents-2009-squad-to-packed-house-in-boulder_85351 |title=Garmin presents 2009 squad to packed house in Boulder |publisher=VeloNews.com |access-date=April 27, 2012}}{{cite web |last=Valentinsen |first=Thomas |date=December 8, 2008 |url=http://www.roadcycling.com/Team_Garmin-Chipotle_Changes_Name_to_Team_Garmin-Slipstream_Announces_New_Anti-Doping_Partner |title=Team Garmin-Chipotle Changes Name to Team Garmin-Slipstream; Announces New Anti-Doping Partner |publisher=Roadcycling.com |access-date=August 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085022/http://www.roadcycling.com/Team_Garmin-Chipotle_Changes_Name_to_Team_Garmin-Slipstream_Announces_New_Anti-Doping_Partner |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |url-status=dead }} and is an official team partner of the Boston Celtics,{{cite news |date=October 23, 2009 |url=http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2009/10/celtics_team_up.html |title=Celtics team up with Chipotle Mexican Grill |newspaper=The Boston Globe |access-date=October 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321032734/http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2009/10/celtics_team_up.html |archive-date=March 21, 2014 |author=}} and the Boston Bruins.{{cite web |date=November 11, 2009 |url=http://bruins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=505682 |title=Bruins and Chipotle Mexican Grill Announce Multi-year Partnership Agreement |website=NHL.com |access-date=November 12, 2009 |author=}} In June 2009, Chipotle sponsored free screenings of Food, Inc., a film that criticizes the corporate food industry. Founder Steve Ells stated that he hoped the film would make customers appreciate Chipotle's Food With Integrity policy.{{cite web |last=Palmer |first=Alex |date=June 13, 2009 |url=http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/chipotle-serves-free-food-inc-screenings-106099 |title=Chipotle Serves Free 'Food, Inc.' Screenings |magazine=Adweek |access-date=September 11, 2009}} From May until September 2009, Chipotle ran a contest on mychipotle.com, a microsite which had a competition for the best user-created audio and video presentations about different combinations of ingredients.{{cite web |last=Stogel |first=Chuck |date=May 12, 2009 |url=http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/agency/e3i5c6f976cbed5f4a969764dbb45cb88b2 |title=Chipotle Tells Consumers: Make Your Own |magazine=Adweek |access-date=September 10, 2009}}{{cite news |last=Harden |first=Mark |date=September 14, 2009 |url=http://dallas.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2009/09/14/daily4.html |title=Denton man wins Chipotle ad contest |work=Dallas Business Journal |access-date=September 30, 2009}} In July 2010, Chipotle began a campaign to support healthier lunch alternatives for students, in which money will be donated to The Lunch Box program based on how many spam Emails consumers forward to a company Email address.{{cite web |date=June 28, 2010 |url=http://www.ricg.com/marketing_articles/creative_design/chipotle_turns_junk_mail_into_healthy_alternatives_with_new_campaign/ |title=Chipotle turns junk mail into healthy alternatives with new campaign |publisher=RICG |access-date=July 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113090415/http://www.ricg.com/marketing_articles/creative_design/chipotle_turns_junk_mail_into_healthy_alternatives_with_new_campaign/ |archive-date=January 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |author=}}

For Chipotle's 18th anniversary, the company began wrapping its burritos in gold foil as part of a larger promotion to draw attention to its Food With Integrity mantra.{{cite web|url=http://www.fastcasual.com/article/179669/Chipotle-wraps-burritos-in-gold |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710225038/http://www.fastcasual.com/article/179669/Chipotle-wraps-burritos-in-gold |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |title=Chipotle wraps burritos in gold |magazine=FastCasual.com |access-date=March 14, 2011 |date=March 1, 2011 }} Also as part of the gold foil campaign, Chipotle is offering prizes for customer-created pictures of items wrapped in gold foil. Chipotle hired comedian Amy Sedaris to create a comedic how-to video on wrapping with gold foil, and spread the video using Twitter.{{cite news |last=Snipes |first=Cameron |date=April 11, 2011 |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/blog/2011/04/chipotle-enlists-amy-sedaris-for-boost.html |title=Chipotle enlists Amy Sedaris for boost |work=Triangle Business Journal |access-date=April 21, 2011}} In March 2013, Chipotle pulled its sponsorship of a Boy Scouts of America event, citing that organization's ban on LGBT members.{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/19/chipotle-pulls-sponsorshi_n_2909620.html |work=Huffington Post |title=Chipotle Pulls Boy Scout Event Sponsorship Over Gay Ban |date=March 19, 2013 |first=Brady |last=McCombs}}

File:Chipotle Cultivating Thought.jpg and Augusten Burroughs]]

On March 14, 2016, a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) administrative law judge concluded that Chipotle's social media policy, and more specifically its application towards an employee who posted tweets regarding wages and working conditions, violated the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).{{cite news|last1=Prosser|first1=Richard A.|title=NLRB Continues to Target Employers' Social Media Policies|url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/nlrb-continues-to-target-employers-social-media-policies|access-date=May 12, 2016|work=The National Law Review|publisher=Poyner Spruill LLP|date=March 30, 2016}} A former Chipotle employee in Havertown, Pennsylvania, wrote a series of tweets from his personal account about hourly workers being required to work on snow days. Chipotle instructed the employee to delete the tweets. The NLRB judge determined that Chipotle's request to delete the tweets violated the NLRA even though the employee was not disciplined as a result of his tweets.{{cite journal|last1=Rifelj|first1=Farrah N.W.|last2=Courtney|first2=Holly E.|title=More Trouble for Chipotle: NLRB Rules Social Media Policy and Practice Unlawful|journal=The National Law Review|date=March 31, 2016|url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/more-trouble-chipotle-nlrb-rules-social-media-policy-and-practice-unlawful|access-date=May 12, 2016|publisher=Michael Best & Friedrich LLP}}

In July 2021, Chipotle rolled out limited edition gold foil at participating locations to celebrate American athletes competing in Tokyo at the 2020 Summer Olympics.{{Cite press release|last=Inc|first=Chipotle Mexican Grill|title=Chipotle Rolls Out Gold Foil To Celebrate American Athletes In Tokyo|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chipotle-rolls-out-gold-foil-to-celebrate-american-athletes-in-tokyo-301338287.html|access-date=2021-07-30|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en}} On October 28, 2021, Chipotle announced $1 million of burritos to be given away for free for the first 30,000 people to play the Chipotle experience on the video game Roblox. The site ended up experiencing a three-day outage, but the company clarified that it was not the fault of Chipotle.{{cite news |last1=Tassi |first1=Paul |title='Roblox' Down: New Update Says It's Not Chipotle's Fault |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2021/10/30/roblox-down-new-update-says-its-not-chipotles-fault/?sh=6fd14507ad69 |access-date=1 November 2021 |work=Forbes |language=en}}

On February 16, 2023, MoneyGram Haas F1 Team announced a sponsorship deal with Chipotle. The Chipotle logo will be featured on both the nose and side of the VF-23, race-suits of drivers Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg and team apparel.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-16 |title=MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Chipotle Mexican Grill announce new partnership {{!}} Haas F1 Team |url=http://www.haasf1team.com/news/moneygram-haas-f1-team-and-chipotle-mexican-grill-announce-new-partnership |access-date= |website=www.haasf1team.com |language=en}}

File:2008-10-05 Chipotle Mexican Grill in Durham new.jpg]]

File:Chipotle in Chinatown - Washington, DC.jpg in the Chinatown area of Washington, D.C. Note the Chinese characters on the sign.]]

Architecturally, all Chipotle restaurants are built using most of the same material finishes (plywood, corrugated metal, stainless steel, exposed ductwork), although each store is unique.{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1663316_1684619_1663337,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131185801/http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1663316_1684619_1663337,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2008 |title=Fine Fast Food |last=Ells |first=Steve |date=September 21, 2007 |magazine=Time |access-date=October 12, 2010}} The interiors have been described as having an "industrial, sheet metal look".{{cite news |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2005/04/14/Weekend/Mexican_food__fast_an.shtml |title=Mexican food, fast and from scratch |last=Sherman |first=Chris |date=April 14, 2005 |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |access-date=September 14, 2009}} Chipotle has built restaurants using white ceramic tile instead of stainless steel.{{cite news |url=http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/03/10/rest_0310.ART_ART_03-10-09_C10_HQD5V8L.html?sid=101 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730111436/http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/03/10/rest_0310.ART_ART_03-10-09_C10_HQD5V8L.html?sid=101 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 30, 2012 |title=New Powell Chipotle reflects chain's 'green' goal |last=Chronister |first=Bill |date=March 10, 2009 |newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch |access-date=September 14, 2009 }} It costs the company approximately $850,000 to open a new restaurant.{{cite web |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9NDA5NDR8Q2hpbGRJRD0tMXxUeXBlPTM=&t=1 |title=2009 Annual Report for Chipotle Mexican Grill |publisher=Chipotle |page=11 |access-date=April 21, 2010 |date=December 31, 2009 |author= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017041439/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9NDA5NDR8Q2hpbGRJRD0tMXxUeXBlPTM=&t=1 |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |url-status=dead }} When the first Chipotle opened, Steve Ells asked his friend, sculptor Bruce Gueswel, to design the chairs and a styled Mayan king whose face was loosely based on that of civil rights movement leader Martin Luther King Jr., a personal inspiration of Gueswel, for the restaurant. Both items were made from wood and metal. Gueswel has continued to design and build the art and chairs for all subsequent Chipotle restaurants.{{cite web|last=Bultema |first=Sarah |date=October 17, 2010 |url=http://www.reporterherald.com/features/Feature-Story.asp?section=Focus&ID=29826 |title=Loveland artist shapes the look of Chipotle restaurants worldwide |newspaper=Reporter-Herald |access-date=October 19, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Most Chipotle locations display a photograph of the original restaurant, which is near the University of Denver campus on Evans Avenue. Instead of a photograph of itself, the original location has a photograph of the Dolly Madison Ice Cream that previously occupied the location. In 2010, Chipotle began opening smaller concept locations that have lower costs of development and occupancy.{{cite news | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-03-23-0603230252-story.html | title=Chipotle going with smaller stores in bid to boost sales | work=Chicago Tribune | date=March 23, 2006 |url-access=subscription }} Chipotle uses environmentally friendly packaging, with bowls made from recycled newsprint, unbleached tray liners, and napkins and cups made from postconsumer waste.{{cite news |last=Risher |first=Wayne |date=March 31, 2011 |url=http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/mar/31/chipolte-brings-its-food-integrity-concept-memphis/ |title=Chipotle brings its 'Food With Integrity' concept to Memphis on Tuesday |newspaper=The Commercial Appeal |access-date=April 4, 2011}}

Chipotle's architectural design team incorporates the principles of sustainable architecture in their projects. The "green" restaurant in Gurnee, Illinois, features an on-site six kilowatt wind turbine, which generates about 10% of the restaurant's electrical needs. The Gurnee restaurant has received Platinum level LEED certification from U.S. Green Building Council. A restaurant in Tulsa, Oklahoma, uses recycled drywall, low-VOC paint, and energy-efficient appliances.{{cite news |url=http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A19018 |title=Food With a Conscience |last=Kelly |first=Katharine |date=January 2, 2008 |newspaper=Urban Tulsa Weekly |access-date=September 14, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717173348/http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A19018 |archive-date=July 17, 2011 }} A Chipotle restaurant in Austin, Texas, was the first to receive a four-star rating from the city's Green Building Program.{{cite web |url=http://www.austinenergy.com/energy%20efficiency/programs/green%20building/Resources/Case%20Studies/comm_chipotle.html |title=Case Study: Chipotle Mexican Grill |website=Austin Energy |access-date=September 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525114824/http://www.austinenergy.com/energy%20efficiency/programs/Green%20Building/Resources/Case%20Studies/comm_chipotle.html |archive-date=May 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |author= |date=}} Additionally, Chipotle has made arrangements to add solar panels to 75 of its restaurants.{{cite news |url=http://www.triplepundit.com/2009/10/75-chipotle-mexican-grill-restaurants-go-green-with-solar/ |title=Chipotle to Use Solar Power at 75 Restaurants |last=Shoemaker-Galloway |first=Jace |date=October 26, 2009 |publisher=Triplepundit |access-date=December 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100717041235/http://www.triplepundit.com/2009/10/75-chipotle-mexican-grill-restaurants-go-green-with-solar/ |archive-date=July 17, 2010 |url-status=dead }} Chipotle has contracted to clean its stores in the New York metropolitan area, with "plant-based, environmentally preferable cleaning supplies and technologies". The cleansers are readily biodegradable and non-toxic to humans or aquatic life.{{cite news |url=http://www.newsday.com/business/inside-long-island-business-1.811933/green-cleaning-at-chipotle-1.2544384 |title='Green' cleaning at Chipotle |last=Mallia |first=Joseph |date=December 15, 2010 |newspaper=Newsday |access-date=December 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115193637/http://www.newsday.com/business/inside-long-island-business-1.811933/green-cleaning-at-chipotle-1.2544384 |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |url-status=dead}}

Chipotle was the defendant in a lawsuit for failure to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Maurizio Antoninetti, a customer who used a wheelchair, claimed he was denied the "Chipotle Experience", because he was unable to see the food preparation. The case against the company was upheld in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States declined to hear Chipotle's appeal, leaving the Ninth Circuit's ruling intact.{{cite news |url=http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_17877271 |title=High Court leaves intact ruling against Chipotle |date=April 19, 2011 |newspaper=The Denver Post |access-date=April 19, 2011 |author=}} Chipotle has "an official disability policy of bringing ingredients to the tables of diners with disabilities and doing tableside preparation." Chipotle is retrofitting restaurants affected by the ruling, replacing the walls in front of the food preparation area with lower ones or transparent panels. They are incorporating the new design elements into new restaurants. The case was one of over twenty ADA-related lawsuits filed by Antoninetti, who died in 2011.{{cite news |url=http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/04/2276637_court-backs-man-in-wheelchair.html?storylink=omni_popular |title=Court backs man in wheelchair who sued to enjoy 'Chipotle Experience' |last=Stafford |first=Diane |date=October 4, 2010 |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |access-date=October 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007184617/http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/04/2276637_court-backs-man-in-wheelchair.html?storylink=omni_popular |archive-date=October 7, 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.sierrasun.com/article/20100916/NEWS/100919945/1066&ParentProfile=1051 |title=Jim Porter: Chipotle Mexican Grill violates ADA law |last=Porter |first=Jim |date=September 16, 2010 |newspaper=Sierra Sun |access-date=October 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716065941/http://www.sierrasun.com/article/20100916/NEWS/100919945/1066%26ParentProfile%3D1051 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

;Defunct units

{{anchor|Farmesa}}

• Farmesa was a restaurant concept launch by Chipotle in March 2023 that specialized in custom-made bowls. The first location opened in Santa Monica.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2023/02/15/chipotle-farmesa-spinoff-restaurant/11263242002/ |title=Chipotle spinoff restaurant: Farmesa to serve customizable bowls with salmon, veggies and more |first=Amanda Pérez |last=Pintado |date=February 15, 2023 |newspaper=USA Today}} After a year of operations, Chipotle abandoned the concept in April 2024.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/24/chipotle-abandons-farmesa-fresh-eatery-spinoff-after-ghost-kitchen-closes.html |title=Chipotle Does Away With Its Farmesa Fresh Eatery Concept |date=April 24, 2024 |first=Amelia |last=Lucas |work=CNBC}}

{{anchor|Pizzeria Locale}}

• Pizzeria Locale (2013–2023) was a fast casual pizza restaurant chain formed as a partnership with the original Pizzeria Locale, a single full-service pizza restaurant in Boulder, Colorado. The original Pizzeria Locale owners, Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson, would continue to own their original location in Boulder while Chipotle would increase its stake in the chain over time. The first jointly owned location (with Chipotle) opened in Denver in May 2013.{{cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2013/12/18/chipotle-partners-with-frasca-co-founders-to-launch-pizzeria-locale/ |title=Chipotle partners with Frasca co-founders to launch Pizzeria Locale |newspaper=Denver Post |date=December 18, 2013 |first=Howard |last=Pankratz}} A second Denver location was opened in October 2014.{{cite news |url=https://denver.eater.com/2014/9/11/6157633/pizzeria-locale-highland-gets-ready-to-open |title=Pizzeria Locale Highland Gets Ready to Open |website=Eater |date=September 11, 2014 |first=Andra |last=Zeppelin}} The first location outside of Colorado was opened in Kansas City in July 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.feastmagazine.com/the-feed/article_4b1fc1d2-3233-11e5-a4ff-3fe856ce7ac9.html |title=Pizzeria Locale Opens First Kansas City Location in Waldo |website=Feast Magazine |date=July 27, 2015 |first=Jenny |last=Vergara}} The first location in Cincinnati, the fourth in the chain, was opened in March 2016.{{cite news |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/dining/2016/03/16/chipotle-backed-pizzeria-now-open-kenwood/81829588/ |title=Chipotle-backed pizzeria now open in Kenwood |newspaper=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=March 16, 2016 |first=Ben |last=Goldschmidt}} By February 2017, the chain had grown to seven locations. In June 2018, Chipotle closed five Pizzeria Locale locations in Kansas City and Cincinnati, leaving two locations in Denver and one in Boulder still operating.{{cite news |url=https://denver.eater.com/2018/6/27/17511982/pizzeria-locale-closing-kansas-city-cincinnati |title=Pizzeria Locale Is Closing All Stores Outside of Colorado: Its backer, Chipotle, will close up to 65 underperforming stores in total |website=Eater |date=June 27, 2018 |first=Josie |last=Sexton}} In March 2019, Pizzeria Locale announced plans to open two additional locations within the Denver metropolitan area, one in Hale and the other in Stapleton.{{cite news |url=https://businessden.com/2019/03/18/pizzeria-locale-plans-two-new-denver-locations-after-closing-out-of-state-restaurants-last-year/ |title=Pizzeria Locale plans two new Denver locations after closing out-of-state restaurants last year |website=BusinessDen |date=March 18, 2019 |first=Libby |last=Flood}} The planned Pizzeria Locale for Stapleton opened in December 2019, to make it the third location in operation.{{cite news |url=https://www.westword.com/restaurants/pizzeria-locale-opens-new-stapleton-location-11563572 |title=First New Denver Pizzeria Locale in Five Years Opens Today |newspaper=Westword |date=December 9, 2019 |first=Mark |last=Antonation}} It was announced in February 2020 that the new Pizzeria Locale at the 9th and Colorado mixed-use development in Hale was expected to open later that year.{{cite news |url=https://businessden.com/2020/02/05/three-more-9th-and-colorado-retail-tenants-announced-as-apartment-complex-opens/ |title=Three more 9th and Colorado retail tenants announced as apartment complex opens |website=BusinessDen |date=February 5, 2020 |first=Cassidy |last=Ritter}} The Hale restaurant finally opened in August 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.westword.com/restaurants/gelato-boy-and-pizzeria-locale-open-at-9th-and-colorado-development-11778969 |title=Pizzeria Locale and Gelato Boy Open at 9th & Colorado Development |newspaper=Westword |date=August 20, 2020 |first=Mark |last=Antonation}} In July 2023, Chipotle announced that they were closing all of their remaining Pizzeria Locale locations in Denver and were "dissolve the business".{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2023/07/06/pizzeria-locale-chipotle-closing-locations/70386547007/ |title=Chipotle-owned Pizzeria Locale, a build-your-own pizza chain, to close sites in Denver |first=Eric |last=Lagatta |date=July 6, 2023 |newspaper=USA Today}}{{cite news |url=https://thetakeout.com/chipotle-restaurant-pizzeria-locale-locations-closing-1850614719 |title=Chipotle Closes a Pizza Chain You've Probably Never Heard Of |first=Dennis |last=Lee |date=July 7, 2023 |work=The Takeout}} To distance themselves from the failed partnership, the owners of the original Pizzeria Locale restaurant in Boulder renamed their surviving restaurant Pizzeria Alberico around the same time.{{cite news |url=https://boulderreportinglab.org/2022/12/22/i-owe-so-much-to-that-family-the-story-behind-the-name-change-of-boulders-pizzeria-locale-to-pizzeria-alberico/ |title='I owe so much to that family': The story behind the name change of Boulder's Pizzeria Locale to Pizzeria Alberico |first=Jessica |last=Mordacq |date=December 22, 2022 |work=Boulder Reporting Lab}}

File:5.2.11SoulDaddyPPSandwichByLuigiNovi2.jpg]]

• Soul Daddy (May–Jun 2011) was a soul food fast casual restaurant that was owned by ANGR Holdings, LLC, and was managed by Chipotle after purchasing Ells' stake in the company.{{cite web|last=Hubbard|first=Sonya|title=Expanding the Chipotle empire…|url=http://www.footnoted.com/my-big-fat-deal/expanding-the-chipotle-empire/|work=Footnoted.com|date=April 7, 2011 |publisher=Morningstar, Inc.|access-date=22 April 2011}} The restaurant had three locations that had operated for less than 5 weeks in 2011 before closing.{{cite news |last=Dean |first=Lee Svitak |title=Soul Daddy closes its final location at MOA |url=http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/taste/blogs/124736829.html |newspaper=Star Tribune |access-date=June 29, 2011 |date=June 30, 2011}}
• ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen (2011–2017) was an Asian fast-casual concept restaurant that was opened by Chipotle in September 2011. The company said that the new restaurant "would follow the Chipotle service format and its focus on 'food with integrity' in ingredients". Chipotle's plan was to start with only one store, and see how the restaurant works out before expanding the concept. By July 2016, the chain had 15 restaurants. All ShopHouse locations were closed on March 17, 2017.{{cite news |url=http://www.eater.com/2017/3/9/14872094/chipotle-closes-shophouse-asian-kitchen |title=Chipotle Will Shut Down All ShopHouse Asian Kitchen Restaurants: All 15 locations will close on March 17 |website=Eater |date=March 9, 2017 |first=Dana |last=Hatic}}
• Tasty Made (2016–2018) was a burger restaurant concept that Chipotle first opened in Lancaster, Ohio, in October 2016.{{cite news |url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2016/10/26/chipotles-burger-restaurant-tasty-made-opens-thursday-in-lancaster.html |title=Chipotle's first Tasty Made burger restaurant opens Thursday in Lancaster |date=October 26, 2016 |first=JD |last=Malone |newspaper=Columbus Dispatch}} On July 29, 2016, the company announced the opening of its first Tasty Made burger restaurant in the fall. The first location was revealed to be in Lancaster, Ohio. Ohio was selected as culinary manager Nate Appleman and national training director David Chrisman are both from the state and helped design the concept.{{cite news |last1=Patton |first1=Leslie |title=Chipotle's First Burger Restaurant to Open This Year in Ohio |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-28/chipotle-s-first-burger-restaurant-will-open-this-year-in-ohio |access-date=July 28, 2016 |work=Bloomberg News |date=July 28, 2016}} Tasty Made was announced to have a focused menu like early burger restaurants which were limited to burgers, fries and milkshakes. Chipotle had trademarked Better Burger earlier in the year. Tasty Made was closed on February 28, 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2018/03/01/chipotle-closes-its-tasty-made-test-restaurant.html |title=Chipotle closes its Tasty Made test restaurant, ending its experiment with burgers |work=Columbus Business First |date=March 1, 2018 |first=Dan |last=Eaton}}{{cite news |url=https://www.eater.com/2018/3/1/17066484/chipotle-tasty-made-closed |title=Chipotle Abandons Its Burger Concept, Tasty Made: The company shuttered the lone Ohio location of its fast-food restaurant |website=Eater |date=March 1, 2018 |first=Whitney |last=Filloon}}

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• {{cite news|title=Inside Chipotle's Contamination Crisis: Smugness and happy talk about sustainability aren't working anymore|first=Susan|last=Berfield|date=December 22, 2015|work=Bloomberg Businessweek|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2015-chipotle-food-safety-crisis/|access-date=January 29, 2016}}

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• {{Official|https://www.chipotle.com}}

{{Finance links

| name = Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

| symbol = CMG

| sec_cik = 1058090

| yahoo = CMG

| google = CMG:NYSE

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Category:Fast-food Mexican restaurants

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