Chipotle Mexican Grill has opened its first European restaurant in London and is looking for additional sites in London, Paris and select cities in Germany.
"We think the prospects are very good for Chipotle in London and around Europe," Chipotle founder, chairman and co-CEO Steve Ells said in a news release. "The food culture in Europe is based on local, sustainable and artisanal foods, which are all core values of Chipotle and we have been instrumental in bringing this kind of thinking to fast food in the U.S."
Chipotle is bringing the same food philosophy to its first restaurant in London, where it is using premium quality ingredients from local sources, including chicken that is grown to a higher welfare specification, pork that comes from pigs reared on farms that offer large acre paddocks, and beef from Farm Assured British Farms, where the cattle are reared in humane and compassionate conditions. Chipotle also uses premium quality vegetables and herbs from local farms when seasonally available.
Chipotle in London features a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls and salads.
"Our near-term efforts in London will focus on establishing the Chipotle brand, developing a high-performing team to create a special dining experience and help us with future expansion, and building a supply chain of like-minded vendors who support our goal of serving great tasting food made with ingredients from more sustainable sources," Ells said. "This will give us the right foundation as we explore additional opportunities in London and other European markets."
The company said in January 2009 it was actively pursuing its first London location and in November 2009 said it had secured its first location there.
