Why Chipotle Looks So Cheap
Why Chipotle Looks So Cheap
Chipotle restaurants have a look that can be charitably described as spartan and even industrial. But it's not because the restaurant chain is trying to create a hip new look.
It's because they didn't have much money, at least early on, and needed cheap decorations.
"I didn't have much money, so we had to make these very simple parts from the hardware store work in order to create the design," founder Steve Ells recalled.
In fact, he had to take out a $80,000 loan from his father to open the first Chipotle Restaurant, according to "15 Things You Didn't Know About Chipotle" from The Huffington Post.
Today, the company has an estimated worth of about $15 billion - or more than enough to upgrade the furniture. Except... now it looks like they've created a hip new look, so why change anything?
Chipotle Boss Never Aimed to Be Burrito King
Chipotle founder Steve Ells never set out to become to king of burritos. He never even really set out to get into the burrito business at all.
A graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, Ells wanted to open up a fancy-schmancy restaurant worthy of his degree - but didn't quite have the money he needed for fancy-schmancy stuff, according to "15 Things You Didn't Know About Chipotle" from The Huffington Post.
So he opened his first Chipotle intended to make some quick money and then turn it into the restaurant of his dreams.
Turns out those burritos had other ideas for Ells. He now has more than enough dough for fancy-schmancy, but he's sticking with Chipotle.
The CIA, by the way, counts dozens of celebrity chefs among its alumni - including Andrew Zimmern, Anthony Bourdain, Cat Cora, Rocco DiSpirito, Sara Moulton and Todd English.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is gunning for Super Bowl glory this weekend. But maybe he's already received the biggest honor ever: free burritos at Chipotle.
Wilson posted a photo of his "custom made, hand crafted, responsibly raised, sustainably grown burrito card" on Instagram, saying "Thanks @ChipotleTweets for my forever Burrito Card! I love going there!"
Wilson isn't the only one to get the big honor.
Washington Nationals phenom Bryce Harper has one as well. Harper tweeted that his card is "the best thing ever."
The card is not without controversy. It's been variously reported that it guarantees free burritos either for life... or for just a single year. Either way, it's a heckuva gift.
Did you know that two-time Grammy winner Jason Mraz has an avocado farm? Me neither. But he does - and it's right outside San Diego.
It's not just a single avocado tree, either. He grows 30,000 pounds of avocados a year - and sells most of them to a local Chipotle, according to "15 Things You Didn't Know About Chipotle" from The Huffington Post.
They're put to good use - the restaurant chain needs nearly 100,000 avocados a day to make enough of its famous guacamole.
By the way, that great guac doesn't have a secret ingredient. According to an ex-employee, it's just avocados, red onions, cilantro, jalapenos, lime juice and a little salt.
Want to now more? Read 15 Things You Didn't Know About Chipotle" from The Huffington Post to find out about an item that's not on the menu (and the best time to order it) as well as the company's next steps... including, possibly, coffee and pizza.
Chipotle restaurants have a look that can be charitably described as spartan and even industrial. But it's not because the restaurant chain is trying to create a hip new look.
It's because they didn't have much money, at least early on, and needed cheap decorations.
"I didn't have much money, so we had to make these very simple parts from the hardware store work in order to create the design," founder Steve Ells recalled.
In fact, he had to take out a $80,000 loan from his father to open the first Chipotle Restaurant, according to "15 Things You Didn't Know About Chipotle" from The Huffington Post.
Today, the company has an estimated worth of about $15 billion - or more than enough to upgrade the furniture. Except... now it looks like they've created a hip new look, so why change anything?
Chipotle Boss Never Aimed to Be Burrito King
Chipotle founder Steve Ells never set out to become to king of burritos. He never even really set out to get into the burrito business at all.
A graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, Ells wanted to open up a fancy-schmancy restaurant worthy of his degree - but didn't quite have the money he needed for fancy-schmancy stuff, according to "15 Things You Didn't Know About Chipotle" from The Huffington Post.
So he opened his first Chipotle intended to make some quick money and then turn it into the restaurant of his dreams.
Turns out those burritos had other ideas for Ells. He now has more than enough dough for fancy-schmancy, but he's sticking with Chipotle.
The CIA, by the way, counts dozens of celebrity chefs among its alumni - including Andrew Zimmern, Anthony Bourdain, Cat Cora, Rocco DiSpirito, Sara Moulton and Todd English.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is gunning for Super Bowl glory this weekend. But maybe he's already received the biggest honor ever: free burritos at Chipotle.
Wilson posted a photo of his "custom made, hand crafted, responsibly raised, sustainably grown burrito card" on Instagram, saying "Thanks @ChipotleTweets for my forever Burrito Card! I love going there!"
Wilson isn't the only one to get the big honor.
Washington Nationals phenom Bryce Harper has one as well. Harper tweeted that his card is "the best thing ever."
The card is not without controversy. It's been variously reported that it guarantees free burritos either for life... or for just a single year. Either way, it's a heckuva gift.
Did you know that two-time Grammy winner Jason Mraz has an avocado farm? Me neither. But he does - and it's right outside San Diego.
It's not just a single avocado tree, either. He grows 30,000 pounds of avocados a year - and sells most of them to a local Chipotle, according to "15 Things You Didn't Know About Chipotle" from The Huffington Post.
They're put to good use - the restaurant chain needs nearly 100,000 avocados a day to make enough of its famous guacamole.
By the way, that great guac doesn't have a secret ingredient. According to an ex-employee, it's just avocados, red onions, cilantro, jalapenos, lime juice and a little salt.
Want to now more? Read 15 Things You Didn't Know About Chipotle" from The Huffington Post to find out about an item that's not on the menu (and the best time to order it) as well as the company's next steps... including, possibly, coffee and pizza.
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