chipotle log

This is the illegal petes on Evans near the University of Denver. Who knows what happened here?

This proposed store is 1 block away from the original Chipotle.

It seems some other folks feel agree with me that the “new” chipotle style is not so good.

http://cheapotle.com/

According to an Associated Press article featured on Forbes.com “Chipolte Mexican Grill” is in big trouble. A financial analyst at Jefferies & Co had these comments:

The company is also dealing with lower productivity at newer stores and may have trouble raising prices, said analyst Jeff Farmer.

Chipolte, like many restaurants, has struggled during the recession as customers have decided to eat at home more regularly in an attempt to save money.

Chipolte, which serves up tacos, burritos and salads, may have to wait a while for customer traffic to pick up, as the restaurant sector traditionally can stay on the decline “for years - not quarters” after posting a drop-off for two quarters.

In a move that probably only makes sense to financial analysts:

He cut his rating on Chipolte to “Underperform” from “Hold,” but raised his price target on the stock to $62 from $45 due to its conservative margin outlook, better-than-expected profit flow and lower-than-expected commodity costs.

So, at the same time that the stock won’t do well he increased his estimated value for the stock by 50%. Hmmmmmmm.

Chipolte in trouble - what about Chipotle?

This is a narrow miss for the ChipoTLe Mexican Grill, which I love, that a company called ChipoLTe is going to have financial problems.

Good thing we have high quality news organizations like Forbes and the Associated Press to give us accurate news without mistakes. What will happen to the world if news organizations keep failing and we have to get our news from unregulated and inaccurate blogs?

Could you get more qdoba wannabe? The red background and photo of the food makes this look like a product introduction at every other quick serve restaurant. Where is the originality?

Chipotle has some new menu items. What's going on. The Westword put it as WTF?!!? A new menu at Chipotle. I can't help but agree with one commenter on that story that perhaps this is the result of investor pressure. Chipotle's stock is up since the announcement, but it's within range of what is going on with the market at large.

The story is being pushed pretty hard. It hit the typical financial and industry websites and is on a bunch of press-release forwarding sites. But is it truly news?

Chipotle's New Menu...just add pozole

The only true addition is the Pozole. Everything else was already available, though the exact prices and combination of items might have shifted slightly. Lots of people complain that Chipotle's food was simply too big or that it was too expensive. I totally disagree. If it seems too big, save half for later or split it with a friend. If you felt it was too expensive, try finding something better for less. But now the "simpler" menu lists different combination meals with less food and at lower price points. Yay?

I had the Pozole today (it is vegetarian, unless you have them add chicken) and it left me nonplussed. The soup was OK, but not particularly awesome. I can truly say that every other ingredient on the menu is awesome. This...meh.

New Chipotle Style (same as the old style...from other restaurants)

The style of that pozole announcement flyer turned me off as well. It fits in line with the in-store display I saw on 2760 S. Colorado:

Some of you may have seen “bio cutlery” other plant based plastics. The basic idea is that instead of using petroleum to create the plastics some plant material (usually corn) is used as the basis for the containers. This is often better for the environment in some ways because plants are a renewable resource and these plastics often degrade more quickly.

Chipotle Partners with HAVI/Perseco and Cereplast for Bio Cutlery

In Millbrae California the city government is instituting a ban on non-degradable containers at restaurants. This has restaurants scrambling to find suitable alternatives for their disposable products. This is probably a good idea for restaurants to implement nationwide.

According to this press release:

Chipotle will initially use the cutlery in its Millbrae, Calif. restaurant, with a system-wide rollout in Chipotle’s approximately 800 locations expected in the near future.

This could become another way that Chipotle leads the industry in sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.

Except Chipotle Isn’t Really Planning a Change…

According to QSRMagazine Chipotle isn’t really planning this change…

Currently, through a supplier, Chipotle purchases plastic cutlery made using Cereplast Compostables resin for its one restaurant in Millbrae, California, to comply with a local ordinance. In a Dec. 15 press release, which was not reviewed or approved by Chipotle, Cereplast misstated the nature of the relationship, stating that “A system-wide rollout of up to 800 Chipotle locations is expected in the near future.”

Chipotle currently has no plans to expand its relationship with Cereplast.

I wasn’t sure if the giveaway would be happening this year. 2 years ago I dressed up as a burrito and my partner as tabasco and it was pretty awesome. Good costume, good food, couldn’t be happier.

Given the fact that Chipotle seems to be reducing their free burritos I thought maybe this year they’d skip the Halloween Costume deal, but when I went to my local Chipotle yesterday I saw this sign.

Note: To get the free meal you have to come dressed as a burrito, taco, or bowl and you have to come in after 6pm.