Swot Analysis Chipotle
Dylan Spaeth
Group 4 MGMT 495
10/3/14
Devils Advocate: Chipotle
Chipotle has come a long way since the 1993 introduction of it’s 1-unit operation in Denver; now spanning into a 1,458-unit operation serving more than 900,000 customers per day in over 43 states. [Gamble] However, they haven’t been the only fast-casual restaurants to be successful. In 2012, 8 of the 10 fastest growing restaurant chains were classified as fast-casual restaurants—Moe’s Southwest Grill, Qdoba Mexican Grill, and Chipotle all among these leaders.
A strength that is unique to Chipotle is their commitment to “Food with Integrity”. The transition to using organically grown local produce and naturally raised meats has proven profitable in today’s health craze, which has consumers looking for healthier, MSG-free products. This benefit helps distinguish themselves from their competition.
Chipotle faces competition from every direction when it comes to quick serve restaurants. Two restaurants in particular, Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Jimmy John’s, are opening new locations faster than Chipotle. [Shaw] A threat of new entry comes into play with Noodles and Company, who have become an immediate hit by adding pasta to the array of fast casual options, taking the burgers and sandwiches industries by surprise. While none of these companies have quite lived up to the potential that Chipotle has created …show more content…
There are a significant amount of expansion opportunities for them to consider. With just 14 locations in the four countries they currently reside in, there is plenty of room to introduce their product worldwide. Yum! Brands, which includes one of Chipotle’s closest competitors (Taco Bell), have 39,000 locations located outside the United States. [Shaw] Needless to say, opening a handful of test locations internationally could provide a plethora of new locations for Chipotle to introduce their
Group 4 MGMT 495
10/3/14
Devils Advocate: Chipotle
Chipotle has come a long way since the 1993 introduction of it’s 1-unit operation in Denver; now spanning into a 1,458-unit operation serving more than 900,000 customers per day in over 43 states. [Gamble] However, they haven’t been the only fast-casual restaurants to be successful. In 2012, 8 of the 10 fastest growing restaurant chains were classified as fast-casual restaurants—Moe’s Southwest Grill, Qdoba Mexican Grill, and Chipotle all among these leaders.
A strength that is unique to Chipotle is their commitment to “Food with Integrity”. The transition to using organically grown local produce and naturally raised meats has proven profitable in today’s health craze, which has consumers looking for healthier, MSG-free products. This benefit helps distinguish themselves from their competition.
Chipotle faces competition from every direction when it comes to quick serve restaurants. Two restaurants in particular, Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Jimmy John’s, are opening new locations faster than Chipotle. [Shaw] A threat of new entry comes into play with Noodles and Company, who have become an immediate hit by adding pasta to the array of fast casual options, taking the burgers and sandwiches industries by surprise. While none of these companies have quite lived up to the potential that Chipotle has created …show more content…
There are a significant amount of expansion opportunities for them to consider. With just 14 locations in the four countries they currently reside in, there is plenty of room to introduce their product worldwide. Yum! Brands, which includes one of Chipotle’s closest competitors (Taco Bell), have 39,000 locations located outside the United States. [Shaw] Needless to say, opening a handful of test locations internationally could provide a plethora of new locations for Chipotle to introduce their