today marks the “analyst call” for chipotle’s quarter 1 2007. the numbers were pretty darn good. yahoo has a piece on it and so does bizjournals. i’m sure the local denver press will cover it tomorrow morning (and then wonder why their circulation is down 1% in the last 6 months while chipotle’s same store sales are up 8.3% in “same store” sales).

There were two things I thought were worth noting from the call:

Food With Integrity - Changing the Way Americans Think about Fast Food

About the food with integrity mission, Ells said:

We recently introduced naturally raised chicken in one of our largest markets, Colorado, and now two-thirds of the chicken we serve is naturally raised. As we advance Food With Integrity, we move closer to our goal of changing the way Americans think about and eat fast food.

Think about that for a minute. It’s not just a burrito join. The mission of Chipotle is Food With Integrity that changes the way you think about and eat fast food. Ok. That’s nice.

Valuing Their People

From my meeting with Houman Iskandani that was inspired by his appearance on their soda cups, it’s clear that chipotle wants to make Rock Stars out of their employees.

Our restaurant managers are the strongest they have ever been, as more of them are being promoted from our talented crew people. By preparing their crew to become future leaders, our best managers are creating a strong and sustainable culture of opportunity and people development.

i got an email today:

{name removed} sent a message using the contact form at
http://chipotlog.com/contact.

hi, I have experience in the restaurent business as I own one.
I like your food and I like to serve what I like. Would appreciate to
hear from you.
thanks.

I assume you found this site by reading everything you need to know about chipotle franchises which says very clearly that they are not a franchise operation and you can’t get a franchise.

so…folks, seriously, they don’t franchise. even though you wish they did. they don’t. don’t write me asking for a franchise! it won’t happen and it’s not even my decision.

This guy may know lots about running restaurants, but reading comprehension isn’t your strong suit.

so, there are lots of people who want to start a chipotle franchise. my friend sara thinks it would be a good idea. my boyfriend-in-law dirk thinks it’s a great idea. this guy is really excited about either chipotle franchises or the lottery as a way to retire early.

Secrets to Succesful Chipotle Franchising

so, how does it work? how do you franchise chipotle? here is the secret: you don’t. chipotle doesn’t franchise. don’t believe me? go to chipotle’s website and click on “Development” and read the end of the first paragraph:

We don’t franchise.

make money from chipotle’s stores

case closed. they don’t franchise. there you go. sorry. if you want to get in on the action the best thing is probably just to purchase some chipotle stock. chipotle stock has been doing really well. take the $50,000 that you would have invested buying a franchise and buy their stock instead. if you investe it all during their ipo last year your $50,000 would now be worth around $150,000. if you bought options the return could be even greater. how’s that for a money making solution?