1. It all started in 1993.
Founder Steve Ellis started Chipotle in Denver, simply as a first step toward opening a fine-dining spot. But when the burrito shop started slinging 1,000 burritos each day—far surpassing his 100 burrito goal—he decided to stick with fast-casual Tex-Mex.
2. The six-item menu only *seems* limited.
From a list of burritos, tacos, bowls, and salads, you can make 65,000 different combinations of food. Consider that a challenge.
3. Bowls are more popular than burritos.
That might be due the sheer number of extras you can pile on top of a burrito bowl when you're not limited by the constraints of a flour tortilla. Though there are plenty of ways to pack some freebies into your burrito, too.
4. Chorizo has finally arrived.
And it's going to rock out your tacos. The long-awaited menu addition has made its way to locations in New York, Ohio, California, Kansas, and Colorado.
5. The cost of an average check is $12.
If you want to save on your bill, skip the guac (it's extra, duh) and opt for free extras like fajita veggies in addition to your protein—that can stretch your $10 dinner into lunch the next day as well.
6. It uses over 480,000 avocados every single day.
So. Much. Guacamole. Plus, the chain blows through more than 27 million pounds of cheese and over 36 million pounds of sour cream. That's a whole lotta dairy.
7. Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz is one of the chain's avocado suppliers.
He lives on a farm near San Diego, CA, and produces about 30,000 pounds of avocados every year.
8. Chicken is the most popular protein.
But carnitas lovers are very passionate about their meat of choice.
9. Ask for fresh chopped cilantro.
It's not used all the time but if you love cilantro, you should definitely add it to your order. Chipotle uses more than two acres of organically grown cilantro in its restaurants every day.
10. You can order a margarita at about 900 locations.
Plus, the chain has plans to expand its booze offerings (potentially to keep up with Taco Bell), with some locations offering sangria and beer as well.
11. If you order a veggie burrito, bowl, or tacos, guac is free.
Plus, guac is still extra if you order sofritas (tofu).
12. Chipotle will cater your wedding.
Or your birthday. Or your barmitzvah. Or your anniversary. Choose from a number of spreads that can feed as few as 20 and as many as 200 people and include taco and burrito shells, your choice of proteins, and all the topping options. Check to make sure your location offers catering and then place the order 24 hours in advance.
13. Some celebs have free burrito cards.
Celebrities and sports stars like Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, comedian Gabriel Iglesias, and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson all have access to special cards that grant them entrees on the house. Chipotle, however, doesn't do its own horn-tooting. "We don't discuss our celebrity customers," says communications director Chris Arnold, "but rather simply treat them like others."
14. Chipotle does not—we repeat, does *not*—have a secret menu.
"We don't have a secret menu," Arnold insists. "What we do have is a culture where people are taught to make what they can with the ingredients we have if customers ask." That means you can order the highly coveted, 1,500-calorie "quesarito" — if you know how to make it.
15. The loyalty program = tons of free food.
It's called Chiptopia and if you haven't already signed up, go do that now. Because now through September 30, you can reap the benefits of free entrees just for eating there like you usually do. And if you really go ham, you can rack up enough points to score free catering for 20 people.
16. The line really is that long.
Chipotle's busiest restaurants, in cities like New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., can serve more than 300 people an hour during their busiest times. And even though it seems like Chipotle time is any time, the chain's busiest seasons are spring and summer.
17. It's super popular for date night.
Chipotle is actually one of the most popular locales for couples, coming in second after Starbucks
18. As of now, there's no plan for a breakfast expansion at Chipotle.
Two airport Chipotle locations experimented with a breakfast menu (and it was pretty popular), but don't expect to get scrambled eggs at your local Chipotle anytime soon. Here's a peek at the breakfast menu at Dulles International Airport:
19. It's safer than ever to eat there now.
After totally revamping some preparation practices, Chipotle kitchens shouldn't have any other incidents leading to multi-state illness outbreaks. At risk ingredients like lettuce and tomato will be cut and diced, then pre-packed in a central kitchen nearby each location to bypass any potential contamination.
20. You don't need restaurant experience to get a job at Chipotle.
The company looks for people who possess 13 characteristics (think honest, hospitable, infectiously enthusiastic, etc.) rather than candidates who have backgrounds working in restaurants and who do not possess those traits. Chipotle believes you can teach anyone to work in its restaurants, but you can't teach someone how to be happy. Deep stuff.
21. Chipotle restaurateurs can make upwards of $100,000 per year.
Every location has a general manager and some of the best GMs can become restaurateurs. Out of 1,800 restaurants in five countries, there are only about 500 restaurateurs in the super-elite program.
22. You're probably pronouncing it wrong.
For the love of god, it's chee-pote-lay, not chee-pol-tay. Or chee-pott-ul. Or chee-pole-tee.
23. Chipotle's soundtrack is no joke.
the company comissions a former DJ, Christopher Golub, to create a unique musical identity for its restaurants—which includes 500-song playlists that are refreshed every single month to avoid repetition. Golub even told First We Feastthat his picks are "informed by the texture of sound that works best with its concrete-and-steel stores."
24. There is so. much. swag.
Hats, totes, t-shirts, aprons, water bottles, onesies. Take your pick and wear your burrito obsession proudly on your sleeve.
25. It can be a super healthy meal option.
One man ate solely Chipotle dishes for 365 days straight and he is in amazing shape. Of course, you've gotta make smart choices like no to extra cheese for starters.
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