Chipotle Mexican Grill Franchise News

Morgan Stanley 2012 Retail & Restaurant Conference
Goldman Sachs 2012 Lodging, Gaming, Restaurant and Leisure Conference
William Blair 2012 Growth Stock Conference

DENVER, May 07, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) - Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) today announced that the Company will present at three upcoming investor conferences.
On Wednesday, May 23, 2012, the Company will present at the 2012 Morgan Stanley Retail & Restaurant Conference at Boston Harbor Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. The presentation will begin at 10:15 AM Eastern Time.
On Tuesday, June 5, 2012, the Company will present at the 2012 Goldman Sachs Lodging, Gaming, Restaurant and Leisure Conference at the Goldman Sachs Conference Center at 200 West Street in New York City, New York...

DENVER, Apr 19, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2012.
Highlights for the first quarter of 2012 as compared to the first quarter of 2011 include:

Revenue increased 25.8% to $640.6 million
Comparable restaurant sales increased 12.7%
Restaurant level operating margin was 27.4%, an increase of 220 basis points
Net income was $62.7 million, an increase of 35.1%
Diluted earnings per share was $1.97, an increase of 34.9%

"We're delighted that our continuing efforts to serve the very best food made from high quality ingredients raised with respect for the animals, the environment, and the farmers are resonating with our customers, allowing us to deliver double digit comps and record earnings during the quarter," said Steve Ells, Founder, Chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle...

"There are gaps in the program, particularly that it continues to allow antibiotic use for prevention of disease."
DENVER, Apr 16, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) applauds the Food and Drug Administration's attention to the overuse of antibiotics in livestock farming, but urges the agency and the industrial animal agriculture sector to do more. While Chipotle sees FDA's voluntary plan as a good first step, the company believes more intervention is needed to stop the abuse of antibiotics in farming.
"We are pleased that the FDA is paying attention to the overuse of antibiotics in farm animals, and are glad to see them taking this first step," said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle. "But there are gaps in the program, particularly that it continues to allow antibiotic use for prevention of disease, and compliance is voluntary...

Animated Short Film Takes Top Honor at This Year's International ANDY Awards
DENVER, Apr 13, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) and CAA Marketing, a division of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), have been awarded the 2012 GRANDY Award for the animated short film "Back to the Start" at the annual International ANDY Awards. In addition to the prestige of being named the best piece of creative work this year, the GRANDY Award comes with a $50,000 prize that Chipotle and CAA Marketing will donate to the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation.
"Back to the Start" depicts a farmer whose family farm has slowly evolved into a factory. In a moment of self-reflection, the farmer realizes that he must go "back to the start" and transition away from factory conditions and towards more sustainable farming methods...

Restaurant to offer free food on Earth Day with online purchase of a Chipotle lunch bag made from "Upcycled" billboards.
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 26, 2012-- This Earth Day, April 22, Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) will reward eco-friendly customers with a free burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos if they purchase a Chipotle-branded repurposed billboard bag from Chipotle’s online store, store.chipotle.com, between now and April 14. Chipotle will donate all of its proceeds from the sale of the bags to the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation.
In keeping with Chipotle’s commitment to finding more sustainable solutions, the lunch bags are made through a unique process called “upcyling,” in which billboards sourced directly from Chipotle’s outdoor advertisements are given a second life by transforming would be waste into ultra-durable, one-of-a-kind, products using less energy than traditional recycling methods...

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 19, 2012-- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG), the national chain of burrito restaurants known for serving Food With Integrity, today announced that it will host a conference call to discuss first quarter 2012 financial results on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 4:30 PM Eastern time. A press release with first quarter 2012 financial results will be issued at approximately 4:00 PM Eastern time that same day.
The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing 1-800-946-0744 or for international callers by dialing 1-719-325-2170. A replay will be available one hour after the call and can be accessed by dialing 1-877-870-5176 or 1-858-384-5517 for international callers; the password is 4538293...

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 2012-- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) today announced that the Company will present at an investor conference.
On Wednesday, March 7, 2012, the Company will present at the 2012 BAML Consumer Conference at The Palace Hotel in New York City, New York. The presentation will begin at 9:50 AM Eastern Time.
The presentation will be webcast live from the Company's Web site, chipotle.com, under the investor relations section. An archived webcast will be available after the conclusion of the presentation.
About Chipotle
Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience. Today, Chipotle continues to offer a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and salads made from fresh, high-quality raw ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in a distinctive atmosphere...

Two-Minute Animated Short Film Illustrates Farmer's Journey Away from Sustainability and Back Again
Online Hit is Company's First National TV Spot
DENVER, Feb 10, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Chipotle Mexican Grill's (NYSE: CMG) animated short film "Back to the Start" will air in full as a commercial during the GRAMMY Awards Sunday, February 12, 2012 on CBS. This is the first time Chipotle will run a national television advertisement since the burrito chain's inception in 1993. The two-minute film became a YouTube hit when it was released late in 2011, and has appeared in movie theaters nationwide before feature films.
The film -- a first for Chipotle -- will be the longest commercial to run during the GRAMMY Awards in recent history and is the first time Chipotle has aired an ad on national television...

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 1, 2012-- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011.
Highlights for the fourth quarter of 2011 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 include:

Revenue increased 23.7% to $596.7 million
Comparable restaurant sales increased 11.1%
Restaurant level operating margin was 26.1%, an increase of 20 basis points
Food costs were 32.2% of sales, an increase of 120 basis points driven by higher commodity costs
Net income was $57.5 million, an increase of 23.7%
Diluted earnings per share was $1.81, an increase of 23.1%

Highlights for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the prior year include:

Revenue increased 23...

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2012-- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG), the national chain of burrito restaurants known for serving Food With Integrity, today announced that it will host a conference call to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2011 financial results on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 4:30 PM eastern time. A press release with fourth quarter and full year 2011 financial results will be issued at approximately 4:00 PM eastern time that same day.
The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing 1-888-466-4414 or for international callers by dialing 1-719-325-2135. A replay will be available one hour after the call and can be accessed by dialing 1-877-870-5176 or 1-858-384-5517 for international callers; the password is 7146034...

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2011-- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) today announced that the Company will present at an investor conference. 
On Wednesday, January 11, 2012, the Company will present at the 14th Annual ICR XChange Conference at The Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. The presentation will begin at 10:15 AM Eastern Time.
The presentation will be webcast live from the Company's website, chipotle.com, under the investor relations section. An archived webcast will be available after the conclusion of the presentation.
About Chipotle
Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience...

DENVER, Oct 20, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) today reported financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2011.
Highlights for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to the third quarter of 2010 include:

Revenue increased 24.1% to $591.9 million
Comparable restaurant sales increased 11.3%
Restaurant level operating margin was 26.7%, a decrease of 100 basis points
Food costs were 33.1% of sales, an increase of 250 basis points driven by rising commodity costs
Net income was $60.4 million, an increase of 25.3%
Diluted earnings per share was $1.90, an increase of 25.0%

Highlights for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the prior year include:

Revenue increased 23...

Yeah Yeah Yeahs lead singer Karen O covers Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings Classic "Mama, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" for Film Soundtrack
DENVER, Oct 12, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, in cooperation with Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG), has produced a short film to help promote a fundraiser to be held this Halloween at all Chipotle restaurants to benefit the Foundation and Farm Aid. The film, entitled "Abandoned," is designed to raise awareness about the economic hardship family farmers face in the increasingly industrialized American agricultural system.
The film, directed by filmmaker David Altobelli, was shot on location at an abandoned farmhouse and features a new version of the song "Mama, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," originally made famous in a duet by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings...

DENVER, Sep 07, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG), the national chain of burrito restaurants known for serving Food With Integrity, today announced that it will host a conference call to discuss third quarter 2011 financial results on Thursday, October, 20, 2011 at 4:30 PM Eastern time. A press release with third quarter 2011 financial results will be issued at approximately 4:00 PM Eastern time that same day.

The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing 1-888-500-6974 or for international callers by dialing 1-719-457-2707. A replay will be available one hour after the call and can be accessed by dialing 1-877-870-5176 or 1-858-384-5517 for international callers; the password is 4159826...

Soundtrack Cover of Coldplay's "The Scientist" Sung by Willie Nelson Available on iTunes; Proceeds to Benefit the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation DENVER, Aug 30, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) has produced a new stop-motion animated short film called "Back to the Start" that depicts a farmer's journey to sustainable farming. The film -- a first for Chipotle -- was directed by London-based Johnny Kelly and features a cover of the Coldplay song "The Scientist," sung by music icon and family farm advocate Willie Nelson.

Chipotle plans to show the two-minute film nationally beginning in September. It will appear on nearly 5,700 movie theater screens in advance of feature films and will educate consumers about Chipotle's favored farming methods, and demonstrate the differences between industrial farming and more sustainable methods...

Foundation to Support Those Working to Make a Better Future
DENVER, Aug 25, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today announced that it has created the "Chipotle Cultivate Foundation," a new foundation aimed at supporting people, organizations and institutions that are committed to making a better, more sustainable future.

"For more than a decade, we have been working to improve the nation's food supply by finding more sustainable sources for all of the ingredients we use in our restaurants," said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle. "By creating the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, we are extending our reach beyond our restaurants and will be supporting organizations and people that are working to improve individual family farms, animals and the environment, and youth and education programs...

All-Day Festival Links Celebrity Chefs with Great Ingredients & Music in a Culinary Celebration Event Showcases Chipotle's Commitment to Food That is Raised Right DENVER, Aug 15, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) will host its first-ever festival celebrating food, music and ideas on October 1, 2011 in Chicago's Lincoln Park. "Cultivate Chicago," a one-day festival, will occur from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and feature a unique combination of live music, art and food made with the freshest ingredients possible. Cultivate Chicago is the first festival of its kind to incorporate nationally recognized celebrity chefs, artisanal food and wine producers, and top musical acts as a way to raise awareness of the impact that food has on society...

Contest "love" triggers more than $96,000 in donations to FamilyFarmed.org DENVER, Jun 30, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- A four day-old baby, appropriately dubbed "Our Four Day Old Burrito," was chosen as the winner of Chipotle Mexican Grill's (NYSE: CMG) "Wrap What You Love" contest. The contest challenged the creativity of Chipotle's customers who submitted photos of their favorite things wrapped in gold foil. The company is celebrating its 18th anniversary by wrapping their burritos in gold foil instead of its signature aluminum foil to signify high quality ingredients that are "good as gold."

The winning entry, created by Eric Timperley from Lincoln, Neb., was deemed the most worthy gold creation by both popular vote and the Chipotle judges...

Chipotle Committed to Serve More Than 10 Million Pounds of Local Produce in Its Restaurants DENVER, Jun 22, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced that it expects to use more than 10 million pounds of produce from local farms this year, up from its 2010 goal of about 5 million pounds. Chipotle's local produce will be grown on farms within 350 miles of the restaurants where it will be served. The company began serving locally grown produce in its restaurants in 2008, and has been working to increase its local produce supply each year since beginning the program.

"Our commitment to serving food made with better ingredients from more sustainable sources is one of the key drivers of our business," said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle...

DENVER, Jun 13, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG), the national chain of burrito restaurants known for serving Food With Integrity, today announced that it will host a conference call to discuss second quarter 2011 financial results on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 4:30 PM Eastern time. A press release with second quarter 2011 financial results will be issued at approximately 4:00 PM Eastern time that same day.

The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing 1-800-946-0783 or for international callers by dialing 1-719-457-2642. A replay will be available one hour after the call and can be accessed by dialing 1-877-870-5176 or 1-858-384-5517 for international callers; the password is 9636291...