Chipotle is a renowned fast-food chain, and if you want to own a Chipotle restaurant yourself, then you have landed on the right page.
In this guide, we have answered common questions like how much does a Chipotle franchise owner make, what are the pros and cons of investing in this business and much more.
So make sure you go through till the end!
About Chipotle
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., or Chipotle, is a very popular fast-food chain in America offering delicious Mexican food such as chunky guacamole, giant burritos, salads, etc.
Steve Ells, the founder of Chipotle, was a Culinary graduate, and he took a loan from his father to open his first Chipotle outlet in 1993 in Denver, Colorado.
The fresh and lip-smacking food that he was serving became a hit quickly, which led him to open a second and third outlet in 1995 and 1996, respectively.
Today there are more than 2,300 Chipotle locations worldwide, and is continuing to grow every single day.
Unfortunately, Chipotle does not offer franchising, and all of its 2,300 outlets are company-owned.
However, if you are still interested to know how much Chipotle outlets make, then keep reading!
How Much Does A Chipotle Franchise Owner Make?
The performance and revenue of each Chipotle outlet vary depending on its locations, staff, operating costs, and other costs.
However, on average, you can expect an individual Chipotle outlet owner to make $2.2 million in revenue annually.
How Much Does Chipotle Employee Earn?
The salary of a Chipotle employee may vary based on their designation, department, location, etc.
However, according to ZipRecruiter, the pay for a Chipotle employee ranges from $12.50 an hour to $30.29 an hour on average.
If we look at this in yearly terms, then a Chipotle employee with the title of a restaurant crew member would make $26,000 a year on average, and someone with the title of General manager would earn $63,000 a year on average.
Pros & Cons Of Chipotle Franchise
Pros Of Chipotle Franchise
- Recognized brand
- Has simple and wide menu
- Online ordering available
- Highly profitable
Cons Of Chipotle Franchise
- A lot of wasted food because they only use fresh ingredients
- External competition
- Strict rules and tight control
Chipotle Franchise Average Revenue & Profit
As mentioned earlier, Chipotle does not offer franchising. However, an individual Chipotle outlet owner makes an estimated revenue of $2.2 million each year on average.
Also, the average profit margin of Chipotle is 22%, which means a Chipotle owner makes an estimated profit of $480,000 per year on average.
Please note this is just an average number, and the revenue and profit earned by a Chiptole owner may vary depending on their location and individual performance, among other factors.
Also if we talk about the company’s performance, then as per Statista, Chipotle generated a massive revenue of 8.63 billion U.S. dollars in the year 2022.
Facts About Chipotle
- The founder of Chipotle is not just a businessman but a chef himself, and he even graduated from the Culinary School of America before founding Chipotle.
- McDonald’s invested in Chipotle when it was popular only in Colorado and helped it in making it national.
- Chipotle utilizes 100,000 avocados a day.
- Chipotle has its own DJ, Christopher Golub, who creates monthly playlists that get played in each of its outlets.
- The first Chipotle outlet was opened in an abandoned ice cream store (Dolly Madison Ice Cream Shops.) in 1993.
- Chipotle runs an exclusive reward program called “Farm Team,” where the participants can get to win various merchandise and free food.
- Many people think that Chipotle has a secret menu, but that’s not true.
- Chipotle also offers pizza, for which it joined hands with Colorado pizzeria to offer Chipotle-like pizza.
- Chipotle offers its celebrity fans free burritos every day for a year.
- The founder of Chipotle wanted to open a fine-dine restaurant and opened Chiptole just to earn enough to open his restaurant. Lucky for him, Chipotle did just fine.
What Is Chipotle Known For?
Chipotle is very well-known for its lip-smacking Mexican Cuisine, which includes food items like burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads cooked with fresh and high-quality ingredients.
However, what sets Chipotle apart from other similar restaurants is that it is the only national restaurant brand that does not use any added flavors or colors.
It also procures ingredients that are responsibly raised in regard to land, animals, and people who produce them.
If you have never been to Chipotle, then here are some of its most popular menu items that you may try:
- Carnitas Burrito
- Burrito Bowl with Chicken
- Barbacoa Tacos
- Guacamole
- Salad with Barbacoa
- Steak Quesadilla
- Chicken Quesadilla
- Queso Blanco
- Salad with Steak
- Chicken Burritos
- Barbacoa Bowl
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Is Chipotle Franchise profitable?
Chipotle does not offer franchising; however, if it does in the future, we believe it will be a very profitable business endeavor for franchises.
This is because the individual Chipotle outlet makes an estimated profit of $480,000 a year on average.
And if we look at the growth rate of Chipotle, then in the year 2022, Chipotle made total revenue of $8.6 billion which was a 14.4% increase as compared to 2021.
So all these factors make Chipotle a profitable business.
Chipotle Franchise Earning Potential
Again, if Chipotle offered a franchise opportunity, then the franchise owner would have enjoyed a high earning potential as well.
Since Chipotle is so popular owing to its fresh and delicious taste, it is continuously expanding. With expansion comes the potential to earn more money.
A hypothetical Chipotle franchise owner can easily generate annual revenue of $2.2 million on average and has the potential to generate even more.
Wrap Up
As we discussed above, Chipotle is a popular and profitable fast-casual restaurant, but currently, it is not offering franchise opportunities.
This is because Chipotle does not want to compromise on the quality of its food or the pleasant experience that they offer.
If, in the future, Chipotle decides to start offering franchises, then it will be one of the best opportunities for you to invest in because of its high-profit potential.
Since there is no indication if Chipotle will ever start franchising, you can invest in Qdoba Mexican Eat instead, which is a good alternative to Chipotle offering similar kinds of food.
To invest in Qdoba Mexican Eat, you will need an initial investment of $936,226 – $2,282,609, and in return, you can expect to make a profit of $233,511 on average.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Chipotle franchises are there?
Chipotle has more than 3,187 outlets around the world as of 2023.
How much does it cost to buy a Chipotle franchise?
If Chipotle starts offering franchises, then we estimate that the initial investment required to open it would be between $1,060,000 – $1,599,000 (excluding real estate).
Amit Gupta is the founder of DrFranchises – a digital marketing agency that helps brands rank better on Google Maps through local SEO strategies. Amit has over 11 years of experience in digital marketing, SEO, email marketing, and social media marketing. He’s also the owner of multiple franchises and has helped countless brands achieve success online. When he’s not working, Amit can be found playing with his dog.