Chipotle Commits to Serving More Than 50 Million Pounds of Naturally Raised Meat...

Chipotle Commits to Serving More Than 50 Million Pounds of Naturally Raised Meat in 2008

Largest Restaurant Seller of Naturally Raised Meat Continues to
Drive Positive Change in the Nation's Food Supply
DENVER--(Business Wire)--Chipotle Mexican Grill announced today that it will serve more
than 52 million pounds of naturally raised meat in 2008, a 12 million
pound or 40 percent increase over last year. That solidifies
Chipotle's position as the world's leading restaurant provider of
naturally raised meat - beef, pork and chicken from naturally,
humanely raised animals fed a vegetarian diet and not given
antibiotics, added hormones or growth-stimulants. The 52 million
pounds translates to about 200 million meals in the coming year.

"We are changing the way the world thinks about and eats fast
food," said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and CEO of Chipotle. "There
was a time when only the most demanding chefs were using this superior
quality meat at the most expensive restaurants, but now we're
committed to making it available and affordable so everyone can eat
better."

To do that, Chipotle spends more money on its food (as a
percentage of its sales) than any other restaurant, regardless of
category. The restaurant's goal is to serve 100 percent naturally
raised meat in all of its nearly 700 restaurants. Currently, all
Chipotle restaurants serve naturally raised pork, while more than 80
percent serve naturally raised chicken, and about half serve naturally
raised beef. It's all part of a vision Ells calls Food With Integrity
that began in 2000.

Often, it has been animal rights groups that have championed the
improved treatment of animals raised for food. But, Chipotle is
showing how success in the marketplace can drive positive change.
Animal rights groups and food industry insiders are taking notice.

"Chipotle has done more to positively influence the landscape of
rural America than any other company or government program," says Bill
Niman, the founder of Niman Ranch. "When Chipotle began working with
Niman Ranch, there were fewer than 50 family-owned pig farms in the
system. Today more than 500 family farms adhere to a humane, natural
method, and that's because Chipotle has provided those farmers a fair
market for their pork."

To accomplish its goal of serving all naturally raised meat,
Chipotle is constantly looking for like-minded suppliers who share the
company's commitment to humane treatment of animals, or working with
existing suppliers to change their protocols for the better.

"We have applauded Chipotle a number of times," said Paul Shapiro,
senior director of the Factory Farms Campaign for the Humane Society
of the United States (HSUS). "That a company like Chipotle can have a
successful business model while not supporting the abuses in the
agribusiness industry is a positive sign. Companies ought to be
rewarded for helping to reduce animal suffering."

HSUS has worked to pass laws in Florida, Arizona and Oregon
against sow gestation crates and has pressured some restaurant chains
to begin moving away from other abusive factory farming methods, such
as battery cages for chickens. While new laws create meaningful
improvements, Chipotle provides a practical, persuasive example of a
company that has achieved superior performance while supporting humane
treatment of animals.

"A lot of people in the industry say there shouldn't be
legislation, that the market should decide," said Bernard Rollin,
Ph.D., an animal ethicist at Colorado State University who pioneered
humane treatment for lab animals in the 1980s and is now focusing on
farm animals. "Chipotle has led by doing good and doing well at the
same time, and influencing the entire food system."

In addition to influencing the food system and creating new
opportunities for suppliers, Ells says Food With Integrity is helping
to build awareness and increase demand for sustainably raised foods
among customers.

"We are educating our customers about the tastes and benefits of
eating fresh, naturally raised foods," says Ells. "And the more they
come to appreciate these better foods, the more they are going to want
them from others."

For more information about the progress of Food With Integrity,
including a state by state guide to where natural meats are offered,
suppliers used, and the company's standards for naturally raised
meats, go to www.chipotle.com.

About Chipotle

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG)(NYSE: CMG.B) offers a focused
menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the
tortilla) and salads made from fresh, high-quality raw ingredients,
prepared using classic cooking methods and served in a distinctive
atmosphere. Through our vision of Food With Integrity, Chipotle is
seeking to change for the better the way people eat not only from
using fresh ingredients, but ingredients that are sustainably grown
and naturally raised with respect for the animals, the land and the
farmers who produce the food. Chipotle opened its first restaurant in
1993 and currently operates more than 670 restaurants. For more
information, visit www.chipotle.com.

Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chris Arnold, 303-222-5912
carnold@chipotle.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008