Chipotle Developing 'Fast-Casual' Asian Chain

Nation's Restaurant News:

Chipotle Mexican Grill founder Steve Ells said Wednesday he is developing an Asian fast-casual concept that he expects to debut in mid-2011.

Company officials were reluctant to give details on the plan, but said it would follow the Chipotle service format and its focus on "food with integrity" in ingredients, said spokesman Chris Arnold.

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Comments

[Doug Hendrickson]

06:47 PM on 11/07/2010

From wikipedia:

"From 1998 to 2006, McDonald's Corporation owned a majority interest in Chipotle, but fully divested their interest in 2006.[12]"

Beyond that... Yeah, it's not authentic mexican food. If you go to Chipotle expecting authentic mexican, you're a fool. It's very americanized, but quite tasty for what it is.

[caad4]

04:33 PM on 11/07/2010

Chipotle's krap. Lucky to live in California with real Mexican on every block! :)

[RatgurlSD]

04:17 PM on 11/07/2010

I was under the impression that Chipotle was owned by McDonald's Corporate... did I fall prey to rumor?

[Gronkie]

03:25 PM on 11/07/2010

I like this new trend in fast food of high quality food for a reasonable price. My two favorites are Chipotle and Pei Wei, and I'm looking forward to seeing Chipotle's entrance into Asian food. The older I get, the less I can tolerate the horrible food served up by the major burger joints. Their prices have gone up so much that they are almost the price of Chipotle and Pei Wei anyway. I hope more of these new fast food places are coming.

[pamiety]

10:03 PM on 11/06/2010

I know this thread is old but I have a thought:

If you don't want or like it don't eat it.

[blurredmolly]

10:26 AM on 11/06/2010

That's McDonalds, folks.

[xstevejx]

03:51 AM on 11/07/2010

McD's hasn't owned any part of Chipotle for over 4 years.

[blurredmolly]

06:25 AM on 11/07/2010

apparently I was unaware

[pdxist]

07:27 AM on 11/06/2010

Would you like the ultra-stuffed barbacoa beef-and-cheese fried sushi roll, or the sushi bowl, which is just like an ultra-stuffed barbacoa beef-and-cheese fried sushi roll, but without the seaweed wrapper? Steak and carnitas sushi varieties are also available.

[ISO9001]

08:20 PM on 11/05/2010

...BUT WE'RE DISCUSSING ASIAN FOOD.

[ISO9001]

08:19 PM on 11/05/2010

What took 'em so long???

[70119]

03:10 PM on 11/05/2010

Choptle is different from other fast food places. They have an ethical model that they follow with regard to the source of their ingredients.

[Nicole Dixson]

12:33 PM on 11/05/2010

Am I the only person who doesn't like Chipotle?

[SusanElizabeth1949]

01:12 PM on 11/05/2010

No, I've gotten better and far more authentic Mexican food off of the Taco Wagon that parks two blocks from my home.

[Nicole Dixson]

01:17 PM on 11/05/2010

Bless you, M'Lady.

[alieninvader]

04:14 PM on 11/05/2010

They don't claim to be authentic.

[plazma]

02:29 PM on 11/05/2010

No.. its a joke... I would rather go get Authentic Mexican Cuisine that has much more taste to it and doesnt have to cover everything up with cheese and sour cream.

[goodmarina]

11:35 PM on 11/04/2010

Chipotle is an affordable place to eat for a family - and the fact that they try their best to use sustainable, growth hormone & antibiotic free meats is a positive thing. I don't eat meat ... but still enjoy their vegetarian burritos : )

I cannot wait for the Chinese version -- i bet you its going to be yummy!!

[xstevejx]

03:52 AM on 11/07/2010

As long as it has a good orange chicken that keeps me from craving Panda Express! ;-)

[khountrygirl]

10:31 PM on 11/04/2010

For fast food I give Chipotle a thumbs up. They are not perfect but much better than the competition. I look forward to their new Asian restaurant.

[Acleacius]

08:58 PM on 11/04/2010

This place is disgusting to put mayonnaise in their guacamole, to create a cheap larger mass of green mayonnaise.

Now the poor people who don't know any better will think Asian food is full of mayonnaise, too.

[Figtree999]

11:31 AM on 11/05/2010

They DON'T put mayo in their guacamole. I know my guac and theirs is actually really good.

[Acleacius]

09:45 PM on 11/05/2010

Lol.

[Aabby]

03:28 PM on 11/04/2010

A PF Changes without the bar and waiters I guess. It's a good business idea.