Chipotle was one of the first chains of fast casual dining establishments. By the time of 2023, the chain had grown to 3,182 locations and staff of more than 100,000 employees.

The company’s milestones: 

1993: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. was founded by Steve Ells in Denver, Colorado.

1998: The first restaurant outside of Colorado opened in Kansas City, Missouri.

1998: McDonald's made an initial minority investment in the company. 2001: McDonald's 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.

2004: Chipotle was offering naturally raised, antibiotic-free chicken from Bell & Evans in 50 restaurants in Washington, D.C., New York, and Ohio.

2008: Chipotle opened its first location outside of the United States in Toronto.

2009: Chipotle tested a vegan chicken product (made by Gardein) called "Garden Blend" in various cities. 

May 2013: The company revealed that it had opened its first fast-food pizza chain in Denver. 

2013: Chipotle began testing the tofu-based "sofritas" option (made by Hodo Soy) in Northern California restaurants; following its successful trial, it was rolled out nation-wide in 2014.

2015: Chipotle expanded its mobile strategy through delivery partnerships with tech startups like Tapingo, a delivery service that targets college campuses.

2020: Chipotle began test marketing a cauliflower rice option at 55 locations in Colorado and Wisconsin.

2023: The company announced it would partner with the Kuwait-based Alshaya Group in its first-ever franchise deal to expand into the Middle East.

According to en.wikipedia; Source of photos: internet