
How did Chipotle get started?
Chipotle ’s founder Steve Ells , after completing his culinary degree at CIA then started working for a top restaurant in San Francisco . He later left to open his own fine - dinging restaurant , but due to lack of funds , he took a loan from his father and opened up Chipotle as a way to raise the funds for his fine dining restaurant .
Where did Chipotle originate from?
He'd been inspired by the popular tacos and burritos he discovered in San Francisco while working there, and after securing an $85,000 loan from his mother, he opened the first Chipotle in a former ice cream shop near the University of Denver campus.
Where did the word Chipotle originate?
chipotle (n.) "smoke-dried jalapeño chili," 1950, from Mexican Spanish, ultimately a Nahuatl (Aztecan) word, said to be a compound of chilli "chili pepper" (see chili) + poctli "smoke." chipotle ( n.)
When did chiportle go public?
The fast-casual chain, with its speedy assembly-line approach and a "food with integrity" mantra that seemed ages ahead of its time, was a savory IPO. Chipotle went public at $22 in January 2006, and its share price doubled by the end of its first day of trading.

Why was Chipotle founded?
This startup story features Steve Ells, the founder of Chipotle. Ells who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, dreamed of opening a fine-dining restaurant but ran into the problem most entrepreneurs face; lack of funds. In 1993 he opened Chipotle as a way to make money to fund his fine-dining restaurant.
Where does Chipotle come from?
In today's society, chipotles are predominantly sourced from Mexico, where they produce two different varieties of the spice: morita, which is most commonly found in the United States, and the larger meco, which is mainly used domestically.
When was Chipotle founded in Texas?
Since opening in 1993, Chipotle has grown to more than 1,000 locations and plans to open 120 to 130 this year.
When was Chipotle founded in Maryland?
Its first Baltimore location opened in December 2003, in the Cordish Co.'s Pier 4 complex.
Why do they call it chipotle?
Its name derives from chipotle, the Nahuatl name for a smoked and dried jalapeño chili pepper.
What is chipotle known for?
Chipotle (CMG) is a Mexican grill restaurant with a limited menu and high degree of meal customization. The restaurant first opened in 1993 and currently has over 1700 stores in the U.S. and abroad.
Is Chipotle real Mexican food?
Chipotle Mexican Grill The food may be tasty, but it's far from authentic. A representative from the restaurant chain told The Huffington Post that even Chipotle acknowledges that some of their foods are not "authentic Mexican food."
How do u say Chipotle?
0:010:40How to Pronounce Chipotle? (CORRECTLY) Mexican Grill ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGeen cheap op play cheap oakley cheap het leed doen haute equipe oké maar alle cikot. Play cikotMoreGeen cheap op play cheap oakley cheap het leed doen haute equipe oké maar alle cikot. Play cikot lewi de tippe koning mexique.
Who is Chipotle owned by?
ABOUT CHIPOTLE Steve Ells , Founder, Chairman and CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience.
Who is Chipotle's biggest competitor?
They include Qdoba Mexican Eats, Moe's Southwest Grill, Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, and Rubio's Coastal Grill. Chipotle also competes on a less head-to-head basis against Taco Bell, the market leader in the Mexican-style fast-food sector.
What is Chipotle chicken made of?
The Chipotle Chicken is bathed in aromatic Mexican spices of chipotle chili powder for a smoky heat, mixed with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder. The spices are mixed with olive oil and lime juice to tenderize the meat so its oh so juicy and then slathered all over your chicken.
Is Chipotle in every state?
There are 7 US States and Territories without any Chipotle locations.
What does Chipotle mean in Spanish?
A Quick Overview Of Chipotle Chipotle is a Mexican Spanish word which derives from a Nahuatl word which means 'smoked pepper'. Nahuatl falls broadly under the Aztec languages. In the USA, 'chipotle' tends to be highly americanized, with people who pronounce chipotle like tchee:POHT:lay.
Who is Chipotle owned by?
ABOUT CHIPOTLE Steve Ells , Founder, Chairman and CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience.
Is the owner of Chipotle Mexican?
Steve Ells (born September 12, 1966) is an American businessman. He is the founder, former CEO, and former Executive Chairman of Chipotle Mexican Grill. Ells founded Chipotle in 1992, and under his direction, the chain serves what it describes as "naturally raised meat" and promotes sustainable agriculture.
Is Chipotle locally sourced?
Chipotle Mexican Grill locally sourced 11% (31 million pounds) of its produce from “54 unique local farmers” in 2020, the food chain reported in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
Humble Beginnings
Founder 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, California.
McDonald's Investment
In 1998, McDonald's made an initial minority investment in the company. By 2001, the company had grown to become Chipotle's largest investor. McDonald's investment allowed the firm to quickly expand from 16 restaurants in 1998 to over 500 stores by 2005.
E-Coli Outbreaks
In late 2015, there was a series of E-coli outbreaks at various Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants, including 11 Chipotle restaurants in Washington and Oregon.
Executive Changes
In November 2017, founder and CEO Steve Ells announced he would be stepping down from his position. In March of 2018, Ells was replaced by Taco Bell CEO Brian Niccol, although Ells will continue to hold his position as chairman. Chipotle's (NYSE: CMG) stock price went up over 12% upon the announcement of the change in leadership.
THEN: 850 SQUARE FEET OF RESTAURANT
Chipotle’s founder, Steve Ells, bought his first restaurant space, near the University of Denver, with $85,000 borrowed from his dad. He figured the place would be profitable if it could sell 107 burritos a day, allowing him to save money to open up a much higher-end establishment.
NOW: UP TO 7,000 SQUARE FEET OF AWESOMENESS
But even though Ells never moved into fancy food, he could bring his burritos-for-the-average-Joe style to the land of gourmet. The company opened its largest restaurant ever this past March in a 7,000-square-foot space in Paris.
THEN: COLLEGE MUNCHIES
The location just off a college campus and the simple menu made Chipotle a perfect place for students to grab a quick bite. In fact, the setup was so simple, Ells initially thought it would run itself, giving him time to work on fancier fare.
NOW: BURRITO BEHEMOTH
The simplicity was so appealing that instead of becoming totally self-sustaining, the restaurant just multiplied itself, expanding to 44 states plus the U.K., Canada, France, and Germany. After a brief courtship with McDonald’s, Chipotle is currently single and looking to stay that way.
THEN: SIMPLE, SIMPLE, SIMPLE
Chipotle’s first location was decorated with industrial fixings and plywood, and its menu consisted simply of tacos, fajitas, and the famous burritos the size of a small child. The available fillings included beans, the company’s signature lime-cilantro rice, salsa, seriously delicious guacamole, peppers with onions, chicken, pork, and beef.
NOW: NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED
Okay, so prices are a little higher. And they’ve added some menu items – like salads, burrito bowls, quesadillas, barbacoa, and the new vegan sofritas – since 1993. But everything else, from the effort to stay as fresh and local as possible to the fun of watching your food made right as you order it, has stayed pretty much the same.
How many chipotle stores were opened in 2002?
About 55 more Chipotles opened in 2002 and another 70 the following year, bringing the total to 300.
When did the second chipotle open?
The second store opened in 1995 using Chipotle's cash flow, and the third was opened using an SBA loan.
How many stores did chipotle have in 2004?
By late 2004, with the store count nearing 400 , nothing appeared to be slowing Chipotle's remarkable growth.
Did McDonald's sell chipotle?
Late in 2003 McDonald's announced, contrary to earlier rumors, that it would sell neither Chipotle nor Boston Market, both of which were operating in the black it soon sold Donatos Pizza, however . Chipotle remained a major growth avenue for McDonald's.
When did Chipotle open?
In 1993 he opened Chipotle as a way to make money to fund his fine-dining restaurant. The idea took off and Chipotle with its foil wrapped burritos gained a cult following, propelling the company to over $826 MM in revenue with over 37,000 employees.
How did Chipotle get started?
Ells had attended the University of Colorado and later the Culinary Institute of America. After graduating, he worked as a sous chef at Stars Restaurant before leaving to launch Chipotle in 1993. Then 28, Ells created Chipotle to help him fund a fine-dining restaurant he had dreamed of.
When did Chipotle come to Pennsylvania?
Lower Paxton Twp. was the site of the first Chipotle restaurant in the Harrisburg region, which opened in 2009. The eateries specialize on burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads that are created to order. Chipotle now has locations in Hershey, Camp Hill, and Silver Spring Twp, among other places.
Does Philadelphia have Chipotle?
A visit to the Chipotle in Philadelphia, PA will provide you with fresh, authentic ingredients and a menu that is customizable to fit your needs. You may place an order online and have it delivered to your door, or call ahead and get it delivered to your home or office in minutes.
When did Chipotle Open for the first time?
The original Chipotle Mexican Grill opened its doors in Denver, Colorado, in 1993, in a former Dolly Madison Ice Cream store at 1644 East Evans Avenue, close to the University of Denver campus, thanks to a $85,000 loan from Ells’s father.
When and where was the first Chipotle?
A new two-tenant pad site has been added to the Quakertown Plaza, bringing with it a variety of fresh dining options. We are thrilled to report that a Chipotle will be launching in our neighborhood sometime in November!
Who founded Chipotle?
An archived webcast of the conference call will be made available about one hour following the conclusion of the session. Chipotle was founded by Steve Ells, the company’s Founder, Chairman, and CEO, with the belief that food delivered quickly did not have to be a conventional fast food experience.
Does Philadelphia Airport have Chipotle?
The Burritos, Fast Casual, and Online Ordering at Chipotle Mexican Grill PHL Airport in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Does Chipotle still make quesadillas?
Chipotle Mexican Grill has finally added quesadillas to its menu, but only for customers who buy them online. It is necessary to fold the flour tortilla and then press it with the help of a specific oven, which melts the cheese and allows restaurants to prepare quesadillas more rapidly.
Where did Chipotle start?
He'd been inspired by the popular tacos and burritos he discovered in San Francisco's Mission District while working there for chef Jeremiah Tower, and after securing an $85,000 loan from his mother, he opened the first Chipotle in a former ice cream shop near the University of Denver campus. 1.
What are some things you didn't know about chipotle?
6 Things You Didn't Know About Chipotle Mexican Grill. Chipotle was founded by Steve Ells, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, in 1993. He'd been inspired by the popular tacos and burritos he discovered in San Francisco while working there, and after securing an $85,000 loan from his mother, he opened the first Chipotle in a former ice cream ...
How many avocados does chipotle use?
Want guacamole on that? So do a lot of other people: Chipotle uses 100,000 avocadoes per day, some contributed by a farm that’s owned by none other than singer-songwriter Jason Mraz. Photo Credit: Thinkstock Click Here to see the More Things You Didn’t Know about Chipotle Mexican Grill
What are the qualities of a good chipotle employee?
According to Ells, employees must be "polite, hospitable, smart, ambitious, curious, happy, respectful, honest, presentable, conscientious, motivated, infectiously enthusiastic, and have high energy." Judging by one of the lowest turnovers in the business, Chipotle does a good job of finding employees who not only meet those qualifications, but really want to be there. Photo Credit: David Sundberg
Is chipotle a franchise?
Like In-N-Out, however, Chipotle doesn’t franchise out any of its locations ; they’re all company-owned. Photo Credit: Chipotle
Does chipotle have ads?
It's nearly unheard-of for a company as big as Chipotle to shun ad agencies when coming up with advertising concepts, but they've done just that. While their ads aren't nearly as ubiquitous as those of McDonald's or Subway, the ads they've released have been unique and effective, usually touting the virtues of small-scale farming. Photo Credit: Chipotle
Who is the DJ at chipotle?
Every month, DJ Christopher Golub creates a 500-song playlist that gets pumped through the sound system at every location. Photo Credit: iStock/ ThinkstockClick Here to see More Things You Didn’t Know about Chipotle Mexican Grill
Where was the first chipotle?
In 1993, Ells took what he learned in San Francisco and opened the first Chipotle (39.67834°N 104.967682°W) in Denver, Colorado, in a former Dolly Madison Ice Cream Store near the University of Denver campus using an $85,000 loan from his father.
When did Chipotle open in Denver?
On December 18, 2013, the company revealed that it had opened its first fast-food pizza chain in Denver back in May 2013. According to The Associated Press, Chipotle partnered with a local full-service restaurant called Pizzeria Locale to create a fast-food version of the eatery, keeping its name.
What happened to the Chipotle audit?
In December, Chipotle fired 450 employees from its Minneapolis restaurants as a result of the audit, resulting in protests by local groups. In February 2011, ICE expanded the audit to include 60 restaurants in Virginia and Washington, D.C, 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 20-25 restaurants in other locations such as Los Angeles, CA and Atlanta, GA. In response to the government investigations, Chipotle hired former director of ICE Julie Myers Wood and high-profile attorneys Robert Luskin and Greg Craig. In addition, a Mexican citizen is suing Chipotle for “mental anguish and suffering”, claiming racial and national discrimination because a Minnesota restaurant allegedly refused to acknowledge his Mexican passport as a valid identification for an alcohol purchase.
How many burritos did the original Chipotle sell?
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.
Where did Steve Ells start his restaurant?
Founder 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. 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 and opened the first Chipotle (39.67834°N 104.967682°W) in Denver, Colorado, in a former Dolly Madison Ice Cream Store 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 more 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. In 1998, the first restaurant outside of Colorado opened in Kansas City, Missouri. 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.
Why is Chipotle suing?
In addition, a Mexican citizen is suing Chipotle for “mental anguish and suffering”, claiming racial and national discrimination because a Minnesota restaurant allegedly refused to acknowledge his Mexican passport as a valid identification for an alcohol purchase .
When did McDonald's start investing in chipotle?
In 1998, McDonald’s made an initial minority investment in the company. By 2001, the company 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. 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.
When did chipotle open?
If there ever was an overnight success in the food business, Chipotle comes pretty close. Steve Ells opened his first location in 1993 near the University of Denver at 1664 East Evans Avenue. It was hardly the size of today's Chipotle restaurants — the first taqueria was only 850-square feet with a monthly rental rate equal in size.
How did Chipotle get its start?
The first Chipotle restaurants were funded with the help of Steve Ells' parents and family friends. Bob Ells had given his son $75,000 to kickstart the operation and by 1996, Ells had raised an additional $1.3 million — but that money would only take Chipotle so far, and a bigger investor was needed.
How many burritos did Chipotle serve?
A review in the Rocky Mountain News came soon after and it wasn't long before the first Chipotle was serving 1,000 burritos a day and Ells exceeded the goal he'd set of making a $24,000 profit in the first year.
How much is Chipotle worth?
When you consider that Chipotle's founder, Steve Ells, has an estimated net worth of $200 million, it's obvious that the burrito business has been very good to him. The success of Chipotle Mexican Grill doesn't exactly boil down to luck, but building an empire on Mexican street food was hardly the culinary plan that Ells had for himself.
What happened to chipotle in 2015?
A couple of months later, at least east 35 E. coli cases in Washington and Oregon were linked to the restaurant. Chipotle temporarily closed 43 restaurants, meanwhile, too many news headlines to count only added to the company's PR nightmare. More food contamination outbreaks followed and the company ended the year with Chipotle stores in nine states grappling with the issue. Steve Ells apologized to those who had become sick, but the damage had already been done and the company saw its stock drop in 2016 because of the mess.
How many restaurants has chipotle closed?
Chipotle temporarily closed 43 restaurants, meanwhile, too many news headlines to count only added to the company's PR nightmare. More food contamination outbreaks followed and the company ended the year with Chipotle stores in nine states grappling with the issue.
How important is it to have a manager at chipotle?
In order for a Chipotle store to be a success, it must operate like a well-run ship and the manager is the captain making sure the ship stays on course . Chipotle's managers are reviewed quarterly and are subjected to a 39-point checklist of various pitfalls to avoid during this review process. Former co-CEO, Monty Moran called it "the most important tool" for guaranteeing a manager runs a successful store. Yeah, it's pretty serious.
When did Chipotle start?
Chipotle founder Steve Ells signed his name on a basement beam in 1993, the year the company launched.
Who is the founder of chipotle?
Chipotle founder Steve Ells signed his name on a basement beam in 1993, the year the company launched. Every Chipotle features a photograph of the original Evans Avenue Chipotle, which for nearly 25 years functioned much the same way as it had when Ells first opened up shop.
What is the chipotle cultivate?
Building on its commitment to sustainable sourcing, Chipotle launched a nonprofit organization called the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, which supports and promotes good land stewardship, good animal-husbandry practices, food literacy and better nutrition. In 2011, the inaugural Cultivate festival was held in Chicago; the band Calexico headlined, and national and local celebrity chefs were there. Over the years, the Cultivate Foundation has made significant donations to organizations like Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, FarmAid and the Boulder-based Kitchen Community. The foundation has supported causes that range from agricultural rehabilitation among refugee communities to school gardens to land preservation and stewardship.
Why did chipotle close?
Chipotle seemed untouchable until it was rocked by a series of 2015 food-safety scandals that sent its stock and business plummeting. A confluence of e. coli, salmonella and norovirus incidents led the restaurant to close all of its restaurants for one day in February of 2016 for an all-staff meeting on food safety.
What is the chipotle cultivate foundation?
Building on its commitment to sustainable sourcing, Chipotle launched a nonprofit organization called the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, which supports and promotes good land stewardship, good animal-husbandry practices, food literacy and better nutrition.
How did chipotle change the restaurant industry?
In 1993, though, quick-service restaurants were mainly fast-food joints — the notion of applying high-end cooking techniques to fast, casual service hadn’t yet proliferated. And then Ells, who’d trained under the legendary fine-dining chef Jeremiah Tower at San Francisco’s Stars, opened Chipotle on Evans, taking Mission-style burritos as inspiration and turning them into something completely new. Chipotle’s value proposition was its higher-end ingredients and classic cooking technique — and a transparent service model that allowed patrons to assemble customized meals on the fly. Denver responded enthusiastically, flooding the restaurant with business. Ells had originally intended to use that cash to build an upscale restaurant of his own. Instead, he infused it into new locations, which were just as busy as the first.
When did chipotle go public?
On January 26, 2006, Chipotle made its initial public offering, with share price doubling as soon as the stock hit the market. Chipotle quickly became an investor darling, and the IPO marked the beginning of the end of McDonald’s involvement in the chain — the burger conglomerate sold off its stake in October of the same year.

Humble Beginnings
- Founder 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, California. In 1993, Ells took what he learned in San Francisco and opened the first Chipotle restaurant in Denver, Colorado, near the University of Denver campus with an $85,000 loan f...
McDonald's Investment
- In 1998, McDonald'smade an initial minority investment in the company. By 2001, the company had grown to become Chipotle's largest investor. McDonald's investment allowed the firm to quickly expand from 16 restaurants in 1998 to over 500 stores by 2005. In October 2006, McDonald's fully divested from Chipotle. This was part of a larger initiative for McDonald's to div…
E-Coli Outbreaks
- In late 2015, there was a series of E-coli outbreaks at various Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants, including 11 Chipotle restaurants in Washington and Oregon. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reduced the number of cases connected to Chipotle from 50 to 37 cases on November 18, 2015 (with 24 in Washington and 13 in Oregon). This reduction of nearly 25% wa…
Executive Changes
- In November 2017, founder and CEO Steve Ells announced he would be stepping down from his position. In March of 2018, Ells was replaced by Taco Bell CEO Brian Niccol, although Ells will continue to hold his position as chairman. Chipotle's (NYSE: CMG) stock price went up over 12% upon the announcement of the change in leadership. Although in November 2018, CMG is tradin…