Chipotle Mexican Grill announced a new all-electric restaurant design that works to maximize energy efficiency in its equipment and systems and utilizes 100% renewable energy from wind power and solar through the purchase of certified renewable energy credits.
The company recently opened restaurants with the new features in Gloucester, Virginia, and Jacksonville, Florida, with a third location opening later this summer in Castle Rock, Colorado.
The new restaurant design pilot will help Chipotle progress toward its science-based targets, established in alignment with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), to reduce direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to a 2019 baseline.
With an aggressive development goal of eventually growing to 7,000 locations in North America, Chipotle will leverage its new restaurant openings to scale the company’s overall impact.
Chipotle plans to have more than 100 of its new locations in 2024 utilize all-electric equipment and at least some additional elements from its new design.
The company will continue to innovate and iterate on the new design as it gains operational feedback and insights.
Broader Environmental Initiatives
To help meet its goal of reducing direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions company-wide by 50% by 2030 compared to a 2019 baseline, Chipotle is instituting various additional initiatives, including:
- Standardizing the installation of energy management systems at every restaurant to manage heating and cooling, refrigeration temperatures, and other equipment.
- Exploring greater use of low carbon fuels and adoption of renewable resources in logistics.
- Investing in projects to drive emission reductions in beef and dairy production.
- Exploring and developing strategies to support greater adoption of regenerative agriculture practices among supply chain partners.
- Developing plans for offering additional vegetarian and vegan menu items.
- Increasing the amount of local produce2 purchased in 2023 to a planned total of at least 36.4 million pounds.
Chipotle’s Responsible Restaurant
Key features of Chipotle’s responsible restaurant design concept include:
- Rooftop solar panels, where feasible
- All-electric equipment and systems to replace gas power
- Heat pump water heaters
- Smaller electric cookline and improved exhaust hoods compared to other Chipotle kitchens
- Energy management systems (which have already been deployed in most existing restaurant locations)
- Biodegradable service ware such as cutlery, straws, bowls, cups, and lids
- Cactus leather chairs
- Artwork made from recycled rice husks
- Electric vehicle charging stations at select locations
Human Nature
Chipotle has also launched a new short film called “Human Nature” that will air as a national TV ad.
The piece, created by Anomaly, features side-by-side shots of humans and nature, emphasizing their aesthetic similarities while conveying the importance of individuals reconnecting physically and emotionally with the environment.
For nearly 30 years, Chipotle has led the industry by example, continuously prioritizing sustainability efforts, including working with suppliers with rigorous animal welfare practices and supporting organic, transitional, and local growers.
2022 Sustainability Report
Together with the launch of its new restaurant design and the “Human Nature” film, Chipotle published its 2022 Sustainability Report, which showcases its efforts in three categories: People, Food and Animals, and the Environment.
The report covers Chipotle’s impact, progress, and goals in areas that play a critical role in its mission to Cultivate a Better World.
Highlights from Chipotle’s 2022 Sustainability Report include:
People Impact
- Donated $6 million to local community organizations through 29,000 in-restaurant fundraisers
- Promoted over 22,000 Chipotle employees
- Awarded $37 million in bonuses to Chipotle employees in 2022
- Raised almost $14 million through Round Up for Real Change since its inception
- Donated over 282,000 meals to those in need in local communities
- 90% of employees surveyed say Chipotle is a great place to work
Food & Animals
- Purchased 22 million pounds of organic & transitional ingredients
- Purchased more than 36 million pounds of local produce2
- Invested $35 million into local food systems
- Purchased more than 14 million pounds of organically grown produce
- Purchased 53 million pounds of certified pork, chicken, and beef3
Environmental Impact
- Implemented restaurant efficiencies to reduce natural gas consumption in 11 locations
- Procured 40% of total energy consumption for 2022 from renewable sources with RECs from Green-e Energy certified wind
To learn more about sustainability at Chipotle and review the full report, please visit chipotle.com/sustainability.