Chipotle - Horse Racing Forum - PaceAdvantage.Com

ManU918 · 03-30-2014, 08:03 AM

Seriously how much is this company making? And is franchising a place like this profitable? Regardless of the location, regardless of the time, when I go into a chipotle, the line is out the door and there isn't a seat to be had in the place. We have smartened up and started ordering online to avoid the wait.

I'm really surprised there aren't more of these around. Only having just over 1500 locations worldwide is nothing. I feel like now is a prime opportunity to open one up.... Thoughts?

ManU918 · 03-30-2014, 08:10 AM

Just as a follow up Chipotle has over 3.5 million likes on Facebook. That is a very nice amount considering Qdoba only has 270,000 and Baja Fresh has 52,000.

ManU918 · 03-30-2014, 08:17 AM

Welp... Scratch that... Chipotle doesn't franchise... All of their locations are company owned... Here is an article about how much money they are making....

http://seekingalpha.com/article/1981...but-overpriced

DJofSD · 03-30-2014, 08:21 AM

My son and I visited one when they opened a store in my neighborhood. The only reason why we went is b/c there was a couple of discount coupons we had received as a mass mailing.

It was crowed. But they moved the line fairly quickly. The food was tasty but I thought over priced.

I continue to patronize the Mexican food shop down the block. I doubt I'll go back to Chipolte unless I have a coupon.

I guess the popularity of both the stock and the restaurant is because people like the cache. Same for Panera. It must be a mo-mo stock.

ManU918 · 03-30-2014, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJofSD

My son and I visited one when they opened a store in my neighborhood. The only reason why we went is b/c there was a couple of discount coupons we had received as a mass mailing.

It was crowed. But they moved the line fairly quickly. The food was tasty but I thought over priced.

I continue to patronize the Mexican food shop down the block. I doubt I'll go back to Chipolte unless I have a coupon.

I guess the popularity of both the stock and the restaurant is because people like the cache. Same for Panera. It must be a mo-mo stock.

I think there are three parts to Chipotle that make the experience a good one...

1) The food is incredible... It's the best "chain" food in the world... IMO
2) The employees at every location that I've ever been to are really nice and seem like they actually want to be there and enjoy their job. Unlike other chains.
3) It's not like Moe's or Baja Fresh where your waiting 10 mins plus for your food. You go right down the line and get to watch them make it. That is a big plus for me.

Obviously not all of us have access to a mexican food shop down the street so Chipotle is our only option. I do but personally I like Chipotle better.

DJofSD · 03-30-2014, 08:48 AM

Well, I guess I am spoiled.

Two stories.

Many years ago during one of my first trips for the company I worked for, I found myself in Connecticut when a national chain of Mexican food restaurants had just opened a store. It was the destination for dinner one night and all of the locals were really excited.

I was disappointed. Nothing about the experience was extraordinary and I found the food nondescript. But, I kept my opinions to myself. No need to be a wet blanket.

The other story is about a well know place in north San Diego county named Hernandez Hideaway. Again, this is going back many years. It was a little off of the beaten track but the food, service and experience was always great. It was very popular and well known so that if you wanted to eat there on just about any night of the week, you'd better be prepared to wait. And, wait we did -- but there was a bar for that and with a good selection of imported beers, it was half of the adventure.

Eventually, the parents let the kids take over and it was downhill ever since. I can't even hazard a guess how long it's been since I was there last.

Shemp Howard · 03-30-2014, 08:56 AM

Chipolte has a market value of $17.6 billion. Operating 1,572 locations that makes each one worth $11MM. Net Income was $328MM last year ,making each store neting $4,000/week.

I know liquor stores that do better.

RunForTheRoses · 03-30-2014, 08:59 AM

Yea, I work in Lower Manhattan and there are a few within walking distance and at lunch time the lines are crazy long. The lines move though. There was an Indian food variation of Chipotle down there-Hot Clay Oven, which I liked to but they closed.
Wednesday I had a bowl with Safritas (tofu seasoned) with a tamale on the side with guac and it was good. Will go back again next week. It is not real Mexican food but it is consistent.

Robert Goren · 03-30-2014, 09:00 AM

There are people who loved that place. I can't see it myself. They have put themselves between Taco Bell and the "real" Mexican food places. A little to close to "real" Mexican for my tastes. I prefer fast food burritos, but to each their own. They are once in every couple of years place in my book, not the twice a month place that some of some x-employees rated it.

RunForTheRoses · 03-30-2014, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJofSD

Well, I guess I am spoiled.

Two stories.

Many years ago during one of my first trips for the company I worked for, I found myself in Connecticut when a national chain of Mexican food restaurants had just opened a store. It was the destination for dinner one night and all of the locals were really excited.

I was disappointed. Nothing about the experience was extraordinary and I found the food nondescript. But, I kept my opinions to myself. No need to be a wet blanket.

The other story is about a well know place in north San Diego county named Hernandez Hideaway. Again, this is going back many years. It was a little off of the beaten track but the food, service and experience was always great. It was very popular and well known so that if you wanted to eat there on just about any night of the week, you'd better be prepared to wait. And, wait we did -- but there was a bar for that and with a good selection of imported beers, it was half of the adventure.

Eventually, the parents let the kids take over and it was downhill ever since. I can't even hazard a guess how long it's been since I was there last.

What do you think of Roberto's, I believe they are San Diego based. When I lived in Vegas I used to go to the locations there and that was some fantastic Mexican food fairly cheap and quick.

http://www.robertostacoshop.com/

DJofSD · 03-30-2014, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunForTheRoses

What do you think of Roberto's, I believe they are San Diego based. When I lived in Vegas I used to go to the locations there and that was some fantastic Mexican food fairly cheap and quick.

http://www.robertostacoshop.com/

They're all over the place. For me, it's just descent, basic, Mexican food. But good. I'll go to one of those places over Taco Bell.

And to make it even more interesting, there are other Mexican food places with similar names -- 'berto this, 'berto that, Royberto's, yada, yada, yada. It's a running joke around town.

DJofSD · 03-30-2014, 09:29 AM

Here's the one place I would really like to visit -- more than once.

As long as Rick is still operating it, it's on my bucket list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontera_Grill

ManU918 · 03-30-2014, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJofSD

Here's the one place I would really like to visit -- more than once.

As long as Rick is still operating it, it's on my bucket list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontera_Grill

A restaurant like this is obviously not in the same category of a chipotle. This is more of an authentic mexican restaurant. Not a chain.... But I agree I would love to go as well.

DJofSD · 03-30-2014, 09:34 AM

Ya, I know, an unfair comparison, kind of like MU v. FCB!

dirty moose · 03-30-2014, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManU918

Welp... Scratch that... Chipotle doesn't franchise... All of their locations are company owned... Here is an article about how much money they are making....

http://seekingalpha.com/article/1981...but-overpriced

I used to deliver to one (I'm a UPS driver) and I was eating in there 2x a day. I was friends with the managers in there and when they told me how much they pulled in my jaw hit the ground. And when he told me its not a franchise I couldn't believe it.

This would be the perfect franchise. The one I delivered to has a college and many office buildinga in walking distance, line is always out the door. Great food.