UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011

or

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from            to            

Commission File Number: 1-32731

 

 

CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware 84-1219301

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

1401 Wynkoop St., Suite 500 Denver, CO 80202
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 595-4000

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 of 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitiondefinitions of “large accelerated filer”,filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer x  Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    ¨  Yes    x  No

As of October 19, 2010April 18, 2011 there were 30,945,41231,119,198 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value of $0.01 per share outstanding.

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  PART I  

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

   2  

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   87  

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   12  

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   12  
  PART II  

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   1413  

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

   14  

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   1714  

Item 3.

  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   1714  

Item 4.

  

(Reserved and Removed)

   1714  

Item 5.

  

Other Information

   1714  

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

   1714  
  

Signatures

   1815  


PART I

 

ITEM 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

  September 30,
2010
 December 31,
2009
   March  31,
2011
 December  31,
2010
 
  (unaudited)     (unaudited)   

Assets

      

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

  $210,996   $219,566    $282,939   $224,838  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $99 and $339 as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

   4,446    4,763  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $68 and $102 as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively

   7,623    5,658  

Inventory

   7,175    5,614     8,738    7,098  

Current deferred tax asset

   4,697    4,317  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   20,318    16,016  

Income tax receivable

   10,091    —       7,845    23,528  

Current deferred tax asset

   3,758    3,134  

Prepaid expenses

   18,933    14,377  

Available-for-sale securities

   90,000    50,000  
       

Investments

   45,000    124,766  
       

Total current assets

   345,399    297,454     377,160    406,221  

Leasehold improvements, property and equipment, net

   658,423    636,411     683,392    676,881  

Long term investments

   59,456    —    

Other assets

   6,610    5,701     16,108    16,564  

Goodwill

   21,939    21,939     21,939    21,939  
       
       

Total assets

  $1,032,371   $961,505    $1,158,055   $1,121,605  
              

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

      

Current liabilities:

      

Accounts payable

  $35,641   $25,230    $35,929   $33,705  

Accrued payroll and benefits

   39,085    41,404     31,148    50,336  

Accrued liabilities

   28,590    31,216     32,143    38,892  

Current portion of deemed landlord financing

   117    96     124    121  

Income tax payable

   —      4,207  
       
       

Total current liabilities

   103,433    102,153     99,344    123,054  

Deferred rent

   118,394    106,395     127,387    123,667  

Deemed landlord financing

   3,693    3,782     3,629    3,661  

Deferred income tax liability

   36,448    38,863     53,608    50,525  

Other liabilities

   9,374    6,851     11,341    9,825  
              

Total liabilities

   271,342    258,044     295,309    310,732  
              

Shareholders’ equity:

      

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 600,000 shares authorized, no shares issued as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

   —      —    

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 230,000 shares authorized, and 33,749 and 33,473 shares issued as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

   338    335  

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 600,000 shares authorized, no shares issued as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010

   —      —    

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 230,000 shares authorized, and 34,060 and 33,959 shares issued as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively

   341    340  

Additional paid-in capital

   575,554    539,880     612,726    594,331  

Treasury stock, at cost, 2,810 and 1,990 common shares at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

   (225,796)  (114,316)

Treasury stock, at cost, 2,943 and 2,885 common shares at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively

   (254,441  (240,918

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   864    29     1,224    606  

Retained earnings

   410,069    277,533     502,896    456,514  
              

Total shareholders’ equity

   761,029    703,461     862,746    810,873  
       
       

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $1,032,371   $961,505    $1,158,055   $1,121,605  
              

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

  Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,   Three months ended
March 31
 
  2010 2009 2010 2009   2011 2010 

Revenue

  $476,874   $387,581   $1,353,401   $1,130,873    $509,384   $409,686  
                    

Restaurant operating costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below):

        

Food, beverage and packaging

   145,688    119,473    411,518    349,564     162,908    123,908  

Labor

   115,234    96,419    334,041    285,375     125,288    104,017  

Occupancy

   32,096    28,677    94,956    83,801     35,315    31,088  

Other operating costs

   51,977    44,118    148,623    128,626     57,385    43,678  

General and administrative expenses

   33,522    24,555    89,857    74,071     32,216    26,194  

Depreciation and amortization

   17,319    15,451    51,106    45,368     18,494    16,734  

Pre-opening costs

   1,943    2,535    5,169    5,996     1,296    1,502  

Loss on disposal of assets

   1,511    1,544    4,292    4,752     1,661    1,269  
                    

Total operating expenses

   399,290    332,772    1,139,562    977,553     434,563    348,390  
             
       

Income from operations

   77,584    54,809    213,839    153,320     74,821    61,296  

Interest and other income

   395    132    1,097    623     475    275  

Interest and other expense

   (14)  (74)  (178)  (333)   (188  (79
                    

Income before income taxes

   77,965    54,867    214,758    153,610     75,108    61,492  

Provision for income taxes

   (29,737)  (20,403)  (82,222)  (58,361)   (28,726  (23,645
                    

Net income

  $48,228   $34,464   $132,536   $95,249    $46,382   $37,847  
             
       

Earnings per share:

        

Basic

  $1.55   $1.09   $4.24   $2.99    $1.49   $1.20  
             
       

Diluted

  $1.52   $1.08   $4.18   $2.96    $1.46   $1.19  
                    

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

        

Basic

   31,031    31,625    31,278    31,827     31,082    31,483  
                    

Diluted

   31,629    31,949    31,731    32,168     31,717    31,814  
                    

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

  Nine months ended September 30,   Three months ended
March 31
 
  2010 2009   2011 2010 

Operating activities

      

Net income

  $132,536   $95,249    $46,382   $37,847  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

   51,106    45,368     18,494    16,734  

Deferred income tax (benefit) provision

   (3,039)  10,381     2,703    (3,271

Loss on disposal of assets

   4,292    4,752     1,661    1,269  

Bad debt allowance

   (228)  (245)   3    (136

Stock-based compensation

   17,846    11,479     8,923    4,687  

Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation

   (8,700  (2,301

Other

   —      172     115    (159

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

   545    755     (1,968  1,385  

Inventory

   (1,560)  (1,069)   (1,639  (700

Prepaid expenses

   (4,553)  (1,594)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   (4,297  (1,317

Other assets

   (903)  (637)   456    (513

Accounts payable

   4,883    3,230     2,501    1,700  

Accrued liabilities

   (4,948)  1,676     (25,941  (19,658

Income tax receivable/payable

   (14,298)  (4,691)

Income tax receivable

   24,383    19,162  

Deferred rent

   11,994    12,497     3,713    3,624  

Other long-term liabilities

   2,523    1,770     1,516    1,514  
              

Net cash provided by operating activities

   196,196    179,093     68,305    59,867  
              

Investing activities

   

Purchases of leasehold improvements, property and equipment

   (26,438  (19,703

Purchases of investments

   (59,452  (55,000

Maturities of investments

   79,766    —    
       

Investing activities

   

Purchases of leasehold improvements, property and equipment, net

   (71,179)  (80,282)

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

   (90,000)  —    

Maturity of available-for-sale securities

   50,000    99,990  
       

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

   (111,179)  19,708  
       

Net cash used in investing activities

   (6,124  (74,703
       

Financing activities

      

Acquisition of treasury stock

   (13,523  (17,798

Proceeds from option exercises

   11,295    11,406     372    3,791  

Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation

   5,887    10,257     8,700    2,301  

Payments on deemed landlord financing

   (68)  (61)   (29  (22

Acquisition of treasury stock

   (111,480)  (70,001)
       
       

Net cash used in financing activities

   (94,366)  (48,399)   (4,480  (11,728
              

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

   779    —       400    —    

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

   (8,570)  150,402     58,101    (26,564

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   219,566    88,044     224,838    219,566  
              

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $210,996   $238,446    $282,939   $193,002  
              

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash information

   

Decrease in purchases of leasehold improvements, property and equipment accrued in accounts payable

  $(286 $(791
       

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

   

Increase in purchases of leasehold improvements, property and equipment accrued in accounts payable

  $5,525   $5,435  
       

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

(dollar and share amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)

1. Basis of Presentation

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, develops and operates fast-casual, fresh Mexican food restaurants throughout the United States. The Company also has two restaurants in Toronto, Canada and one in London, England. As of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the Company operated 1,0231,095 restaurants. The Company manages its operations based on five regions and has aggregated its operations to one reportable segment.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of its financial position and results of operations. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full year. The financial statements and related notes do not include all information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for annual reports. This quarterly report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.2010.

The Company has evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the day the financial statements are issued.

2. Adoption of New Accounting Principle

Effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted amendments in Accounting Standards Update 2010-06 (“ASU 2010-06”) requiring new fair value disclosures. The adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not have a significant impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

3. Comprehensive Income

The following table presents comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2009.2010.

 

  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,   Three months ended March 31, 
  2010   2009   2010   2009   2011   2010 

Net income

  $48,228    $34,464    $132,536    $95,249    $46,382    $37,847  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   944     4     835     172     618     (159
                        

Comprehensive income

  $49,172    $34,468    $133,371    $95,421    $47,000    $37,688  
                        

4.3. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of their short-term nature. The carryingInvestments, classified as held-to-maturity, are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Investments consist of U.S. treasury notes and CDARS, certificate of deposit products, with maturities up to two years. Fair market value of available-for-sale securities was determined to approximateU.S. treasury notes is measured using level 1 inputs (quoted prices for identical assets in active markets) and fair market value with fair valueof CDARS is measured on a recurring basis based on level 2 inputs (quoted prices for identical assets in markets that are not active). Available-for-sale securities consisted of CDARS, certificate of deposit products.

5.4. Shareholders’ Equity

During the first nine monthsquarter of 2010,2011, the Company purchased shares of common stock under an authorized share repurchase program. The shares may be purchased from time to time in open market transactions, subject to market conditions. The Company repurchased 80058 shares for $109,311$13,523 during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010.March 31, 2011. The cumulative shares repurchased under authorized programs as of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 are 2,7892,876 for a total cost of $223,626.$243,725. As of March 31, 2011, $56,534 was available to be repurchased under the current agreement. The shares are being held in treasury stock until such time as they are reissued or retired at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

The Company has repurchased shares of common stock from participants of the Amended and Restated Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (“the Plan”), which are netted and surrendered as payment for applicable tax withholding on the vesting of their stock awards. Shares surrendered by the participants in accordance with the Plan and the applicable award agreements are deemed repurchased by the Company but are not part of publicly announced share repurchase programs. In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company repurchased 21 shares for a total cost of $2,170.

6.5. Stock-based Compensation

During the first quarter of 2010,2011, the Company granted stock only stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) on 556586 shares of its common stock to eligible employees.employees, of which 190 include performance conditions. The grant date fair value of the SARs was $39.35$101.91 per share with an exercise price of $103.79$268.73 per share based on the closing price of common stock on the date of grant. The SARs vest in two equal installments on the second and third anniversary of the grant date.

During the second quarter of 2010, the Company granted 6 restricted stock units for common stock with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $142.54 which vest on the third anniversary of the grant.

During the third quarter of 2010, the Company granted SARs on 3 shares of its common stock to eligible employees. The grant date fair value of the SARs was $54.05 per share with an exercise price of $142.76 per share based on the closing price of common stock on the date of the grant. The SARs vest in two equal installments on the second and third anniversary of the grant date.

Total stock-based compensation expense was $6,357 and $18,495$9,324 ($3,910 and $11,3745,739 net of tax) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, respectively, and was $3,944 and $12,009$4,936 ($2,418 and $7,3643,045 net of tax) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.March 31, 2010. For the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, $401 and 2009, $200, $649, $176 and $530$249 respectively, of stock-based compensation was recognized as capitalized development and is included in leasehold improvements, property and equipment in the consolidated balance sheet.

7. Related Party Transactions

The Company’s Chief Marketing Officer (“CMO”), served as Creative Director for Sequence, LLC (“Sequence”), a strategic design and marketing consulting firm he co-founded, prior to joining During the Company in January 2009. In connection with the CMO’s separation from Sequence, the parties entered into certain agreements that remain in effect. Sequence has provided the Company with a variety of marketing consulting services totaling $575 and $1,046 for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011, 138 options or SARs were exercised, and 2009, respectively.1 SAR was forfeited.

8.6. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share (“diluted EPS”) is calculated using income available to common shareholders divided by diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Potentially dilutive securities include common shares related to stock options, SARs and non-vested stock awards. SARsawards (collectively “stock awards’). For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and options to purchase 32010, 219 and 453 shares of common877 stock awards, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, and 322 and 602 were excluded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, because they were anti-dilutive. In addition, 79 stock awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2010159 and 119 stock awards for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because they were subject to performance conditions.

The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

   Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30, 
   2010   2009   2010   2009 

Net income

  $48,228    $34,464    $132,536    $95,249  

Shares:

        

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

   31,031     31,625     31,278     31,827  

Dilutive stock options and SARS

   460     241     373     252  

Dilutive non-vested stock awards

   138     83     80     89  
                    

Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding

   31,629     31,949     31,731     32,168  
                    

Basic earnings per share

  $1.55    $1.09    $4.24    $2.99  
                    

Diluted earnings per share

  $1.52    $1.08    $4.18    $2.96  
                    

   Three months ended March 31, 
   2011   2010 

Net income

  $46,382    $37,847  

Shares:

    

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

   31,082     31,483  

Dilutive stock options and SARS

   575     273  

Dilutive non-vested stock awards

   60     58  
          

Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding

   31,717     31,814  
          

Basic earnings per share

  $1.49    $1.20  
          

Diluted earnings per share

  $1.46    $1.19  
          

9.7. Commitments and Contingencies

In 2006, Maurizio Antoninetti filed suit against the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, primarily claiming that the height of the serving line wall in the Company’s restaurants violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, as well as California disability laws. On December 6, 2006, Mr. Antoninetti filed an additional lawsuit in the same court making the same allegations on a class action basis, on behalf of himself and a purported class of disabled individuals, and a similar class action was filed by James Perkins in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on May 7, 2008.

In the individual Antoninetti action, the district court entered a ruling in which it found that although the Company’s counter height violated the ADA, the Company provided the plaintiff with an equivalent facilitation, and awarded attorney’s fees and minimal damages to the plaintiff.plaintiff which the Company has accrued. The Company and the plaintiff appealed the district court’s ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and on July 26, 2010, the appeals court entered a ruling finding that the Company violated the ADA and did not provide the plaintiff with an equivalent facilitation, and remanded the case to the district court. The district court will now determine the damages and injunctive relief and final award of attorneys fees to which Antoninetti is entitled based on the court of appeals ruling.

The Company is contemplating an appeal of the recent ruling from the appeals court in the individual Antoninetti action. In the event it chooses not to appeal or is not successful in an appeal, the Company intends to vigorously defend the class action ADA cases. The Company lowered the height of its serving line walls throughout California some time ago, which makes injunctive relief in theseboth the individual and class actions moot, and has the lower serving lines in a significant majority of its restaurants outside of California as well. The Company also expects to contestwill vigorously defend the class action cases, including by contesting certification of a plaintiff class in these actions.class. It is not possible at this time to reasonably estimate the outcome of, or any additional potential liability from, these cases.

A lawsuit has been filed against the Company in California alleging violations of state laws regarding employee record-keeping, meal and rest breaks, payment of overtime and related practices with respect to its employees. The case originally sought damages, penalties and attorney’s fees on behalf of a purported class of the Company’s present and former employees. The trial court denied the plaintiff’s motion to certify the purported class, and the California Court of Appeals affirmed that decision, and as a result the action can proceed, if at all, as an action by a single plaintiff. AlthoughThe plaintiff has appealed the limitation to a single-plaintiff action significantly minimizescourt’s denial of class certification, and the Company’s current potential exposure from the case andappeal remains pending. Although the Company has various defenses, due to the possibility of further appeals and the uncertainties of litigation it is not possible at this time to reasonably estimate the outcome of or any potential liability from this case.

Following an inspection during 2010 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) of the work authorization documents of the Company’s restaurant employees in Minnesota, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement arm of DHS (“ICE”) issued to the Company a Notice of Suspect Documents identifying a large number of employees who, according to ICE and notwithstanding the Company’s review of work authorization documents for each employee at the time they were hired, appeared not to be authorized to work in the U.S. The Company approached each of the named employees to explain ICE’s determination and afforded each employee an opportunity to confirm the validity of their original work eligibility documents, or provide valid work eligibility documents. Employees who were unable to provide valid work eligibility documents were terminated in accordance with the law. In December 2010, the Company was also requested by DHS to provide the work authorization documents of restaurant employees in the District of Columbia and Virginia, and the Company provided the requested documents in January 2011. The Company has received additional requests for work authorization documents covering a small number of individual restaurants as well, and ICE’s investigation remains ongoing. In April 2011 the Company also received notice from the office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia that it is conducting an investigation into these matters through its criminal division. The Company believes its practices with regard to the work authorization of its employees, including the review and retention of work authorization documents, are in compliance with applicable law. It is not possible at this time to determine whether the Company will incur any fines, penalties or further liabilities in connection with these matters.

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to other proceedings, lawsuits and claims. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties, and outcomes are not predictable with assurance. Consequently, the Company is unable to ascertain the ultimate aggregate amount of monetary liability or financial impact with respect to these matters as of September 30, 2010.March 31, 2011. These matters could affect the operating results of any one quarter when resolved in future periods. Management does not believe that any monetary liability or financial impact to the Company as a result of these proceedings or claims will be material to the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements. However, a significant increase in the number of these claims, or one or more successful claims resulting in greater liabilities than the Company currently anticipates, could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operation or cash flows.

ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this report, including our estimates of the number of restaurants we intend to open and our effective tax rate for 2011, projections regarding potential changes in comparable restaurant sales and food and other costs, and discussion of possible stock repurchases, are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We use words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “should”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “predict”, “project”, “target”, and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions, to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date any such statements are made, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk factors described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009,2010, as updated in Part II, Item 1.A of this report.

Overview

Chipotle operates fresh Mexican food restaurants serving burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and salads. We began with a simple philosophy: demonstrate that food served fast doesn’t have to be a traditional “fast-food” experience. Over the years, that vision has evolved. Today, our vision is to change the way the world thinks about and eats fast food. We do this by avoiding a formulaic approach when creating our restaurant experience, looking to fine-dining restaurants for inspiration. We use high-quality raw ingredients, classic cooking methods and distinctive interior design, and have friendly people to take care of each customer—features that are more frequently found in the world of fine dining. Our approachThrough our vision of Food With Integrity, Chipotle is also guided by our belief in an idea we call “Food With Integrity”. Our objective is to find the highest quality ingredients we can—seeking better food from using ingredients that are not only fresh, but that where possible are sustainably grown orand naturally raised with respect for the environment, animals, the land, and peoplethe farmers who grow or raiseproduce the food. A similarly focused people culture, with an emphasis on identifying and empowering top performing employees, enables us to develop future leaders from within.

20102011 Highlights

Restaurant Development. As of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, we had 1,0231,095 restaurants, of which 1,0201,092 were located throughout the United States, two in Toronto, Canada as well as one in London, England. New restaurants have contributed substantially to our revenue growth. We opened 22 and 6712 restaurants during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.March 31, 2011. We expect to open between 120135 and 130 restaurants in 2010. Up to 25% of these openings will be what we are calling “A Model” restaurants. These restaurants are located in well established markets with high levels of brand awareness. A Model locations are being built primarily in secondary trade areas which have attractive demographics but are typically characterized by lower occupancy costs. A Model locations are also being constructed for substantially lower investment costs than our recent traditional restaurant openings. While the economic environment has put pressure on the commercial real estate market and developers, reducing the number of new real estate developments available to us, which have historically accounted for a majority of our new restaurants, we expect that A Model locations will allow us to pursue additional opportunities and continue to open 120-130 restaurants in 2010 and 135-145145 restaurants in 2011. Among the expected restaurant openings in 2011 is a restaurant in Paris, France, which will be our first restaurant in France. About 30% of these openings will be what we call “A Model” restaurants. A Model restaurants are being built primarily in secondary trade areas which have attractive demographics but are typically characterized by lower investment and occupancy costs.

Sales Growth. Average restaurant sales were $1.806$1.885 million as of September 30, 2010.March 31, 2011. We define average restaurant sales as the average trailing 12-month sales for restaurants in operation for at least 12 full calendar months. Our comparable restaurant sales increase for the first ninethree months of 20102011 was 8.3%12.4% driven primarily by an increase in customer visits. Comparable restaurant sales represent the change in period-over-period sales for restaurants beginning in their 13th full month of operation. We expect our 20102011 full year comparable restaurant sales increases to be in the highmid single digits due to difficult comparisons with 2010 and 2011 comparable restaurant sales increases to be in the low single digits.continued economic uncertainty.

Food With Integrity. We face challenges associated with pursuing Food With Integrity, including ongoing supply challenges of naturally raised meats as we open more restaurants and increase sales. We continue to serve naturally raised pork in all our restaurants. We also serve barbacoa made withAlthough we purchased more naturally raised beef in all of our restaurants, andmeat during the thirdfirst three months of 2011 than we have in any previous quarter, increased the percentage of naturally raised steak we serve to almost 85%, which has increased the total amount of naturally raised beef we serve to about 90%. We face challenges associated with pursuing Food With Integrity, including the availability of naturally raised meats. As a result of ongoing supply challenges, the percentage of naturally raised chicken and beef we serve declined to about 80% in the second and third quarters, benefitting food costs. We expect about 85% of our chicken to be naturally raised during the fourth quarter of 2010 and expect additional supply of chicken that meets our naturally raised protocols to become available during the first half of 2011 which will increase food costs.declined. We define naturally raised as coming from animals that are fed a pure vegetarian diet, never given antibiotics or hormones, and raised humanely. Our definition is more stringent than the USDA’s standard for naturally raised marketing claims.

        We began our local produce program in 2008 with a commitment to serve at least 25% of at least one locally grown produce item in each market while seasonally available, and increased that commitment to 35% in 2009. For 2010, we

Our food costs have increased our local produce goal to 50%in 2011 as a result of at least one locally grown produce item in each market while seasonally available. We have purchased about 8.2 million pounds of locally grown produce in 2010. For 2010, the produce generally comes from within about 250 miles of our distribution centers, with nearly 70% coming from within 150 miles and one-third of the produce arriving from within 50 miles. Also for 2010, 40% of all the beans we buy are organically grown, up from 35% in 2009, and we increased the percentage of organically grown cilantro used in our restaurants to 54% in the third quarter. Additionally, 59% of the cheese currently used in our restaurants is made using milk from cows that are given access to pasture, as opposed to being kept in confinement like most dairy cows.

Due to inflationary pressures and recent freezes in Mexico and Florida. Due to continued inflationary pressures primarily on avocados, dairy and meats, as well as continued Food With Integrity initiatives, we expect food costs as a percentage of revenue to further increase in the second quarter and throughout 2011. We expect to institute menu price increases throughout the country during the fourththird quarter with inflationary pressures onof 2011 in response to food costs continuing and potentially increasing during 2011.

cost inflation.

Stock Repurchase. In November 2009, we announced thataccordance with stock repurchases authorized by our Board of Directors approvedwe purchased stock with an aggregate total repurchase price of $13.5 million during the expenditurefirst three months of up2011. As of March 31, 2011, $56.5 million was available to $100 million tobe repurchased under the current repurchase shares of our common stock. In July 2010, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized the expenditure of up to an additional $100 million to repurchase shares of our common stock.authorization. We have entered into an agreement with a broker under SEC rule 10b5-1(c), authorizing the broker to make open market purchases of common stock from time to time, subject to market conditions. We purchased stock with an aggregate total repurchase price of $109.3 million under the authorized programs during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The existing repurchase agreement and the Board’s authorization of the repurchases may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time.

Restaurant Activity

The following table details restaurant unit data for the periods indicated.

 

  For the three months
ended September 30
 For the nine months
ended September 30
   For the three  months
ended March 31
 
  2010   2009 2010   2009   2011 2010 

Beginning of period

   1,001     886    956     837     1,084    956  

Openings

   22     26    67     76     12    20  

Closures

   —       (1)  —       (2)

Relocations

   (1  —    
                      

Total restaurants at end of period

   1,023     911    1,023     911     1,095    976  
                      

Results of Operations

Our results of operations as a percentage of revenue and period-over-period variances are discussed in the following section. As our business grows, as we open more restaurants and hire more employees, our aggregate restaurant operating costs increase.

Revenue

 

  For the three months
ended September 30
 %
increase
 For the nine months
ended September 30
 %
increase
   For the three  months
ended March 31
 %
increase
 
  2010 2009   2010 2009     2011 2010   
  (dollars in millions)   (dollars in millions) 

Revenue

  $476.9   $387.6    23.0% $1,353.4   $1,130.9    19.7%  $509.4   $409.7    24.3

Average restaurant sales

  $1.806   $1.736    4.0% $1.806   $1.736    4.0%  $1.885   $1.736    8.6

Comparable restaurant sales increases

   11.4%  2.7%   8.3%  2.2%    12.4  4.3 

Number of restaurants as of the end of the period

   1,023    911    12.3%  1,023    911    12.3%   1,095    976    12.2

Number of restaurants opened in the period

   22    26     67    76      12    20   

The significant factors contributing to our increase in revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 were restaurant openings and comparable restaurant sales increases. Revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 for restaurants not in the comparable restaurant base contributed $45.8 million and $131.1$50.4 million of the increase in sales, respectively, of which $21.3 million and $37.6 million$1.9 was attributable to restaurants opened in 2010.2011. Comparable restaurant sales increases contributed to $43.5$49.1 million of the increase in revenue for the third quarter of 2010, and $91.5 million of the increase in restaurant sales for the first ninethree months of 2010.2011. Comparable restaurant sales growth was due primarily to increases in customer visits.

Food, Beverage and Packaging Costs

 

  For the three months
ended September 30
 %
increase
 For the nine months
ended September 30
 %
increase
   For the three  months
ended March 31
 %
increase
 
  2010 2009   2010 2009     2011 2010   
  (dollars in millions)   (dollars in millions) 

Food, beverage and packaging

  $145.7   $119.5    21.9% $411.5   $349.6    17.7%  $162.9   $123.9    31.5

As a percentage of revenue

   30.6%  30.8%   30.4%  30.9%    32.0  30.2 

Food, beverage and packaging costs decreasedincreased as a percentage of revenue for the first three months of 2011 due to inflation on most food items, including beef, avocados and dairy, and increases in the three months ended September 30, 2010 due to favorable food costs, primarily avocados, corn, ricecost of tomatoes and chickenother produce due to the switchrecent freezes in Mexico and Florida. We expect food inflation to commodity chicken in certain markets resulting from supply constraints which we are workingcontinue to alleviate as soon as possible. This decrease was partially offset by the increased cost of barbacoa and steak as we increased the percentage of naturally raised beef in our restaurants.

Food, beverage and packaging costs decreased as a percentage of revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 due to favorablepressure food costs primarily rice, avocados and corn. We expect to see food cost pressures in the fourth quarter of 2010, continuing throughout and potentially increasing in 2011.

Labor Costs

 

  For the three months
ended September 30
 %
increase
 For the nine months
ended September 30
 %
increase
   For the three  months
ended March 31
 %
increase
 
  2010 2009   2010 2009     2011 2010   
  (dollars in millions)   (dollars in millions) 

Labor costs

  $115.2   $96.4    19.5% $334.0   $285.4    17.1%  $125.3   $104.0    20.4

As a percentage of revenue

   24.2%  24.9%   24.7%  25.2%    24.6  25.4 

Labor costs as a percentage of revenue decreased in the first three months ended September 30, 2010of 2011 due primarily to the benefit of higher average restaurant sales, partially offset by increased averagelabor inefficiencies due to training new employees. Average wage rates and increased worker’s compensation insurance costs.

Labor costs as a percentage of revenue decreased in the nine months ended September 30, 2010were up slightly due to the benefit of higher average restaurant sales and efficiencies in management and crew labor, partially offset by increased averagenormal wage rates and increased insurance costs.inflation.

Occupancy Costs

 

  For the three  months
ended March 31
 %
increase
 
  For the three months
ended September 30
 %
increase
 For the nine  months
ended September 30
 %
increase
   2011 2010   
  2010 2009   2010 2009     (dollars in millions) 

Occupancy costs

  $32.1   $28.7    11.9% $95.0   $83.8    13.3%  $35.3   $31.1    13.6

As a percentage of revenue

   6.7%  7.4%   7.0%  7.4%    6.9  7.6 

Occupancy costs decreased as a percentage of revenue in the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 primarily due to the benefit of higher average restaurant sales on a partially fixed-cost base.

Other Operating Costs

   For the three  months
ended March 31
  %
increase
 
   2011  2010    
   (dollars in millions) 

Other operating costs

  $57.4   $43.7    31.4

As a percentage of revenue

   11.3  10.7 

Other operating costs increased as a percentage of revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2011 due primarily to an increase in marketing and promotional spend partially offset by the benefit of higher average restaurant sales on a partially fixed-cost base. We expect marketing and promotional spend as a percentage of revenue to increase for the full year 2011 compared to 2010, with the most significant increase in the second quarter.

General and Administrative Expenses

   For the three  months
ended March 31
  %
increase
 
   2011  2010    
   (dollars in millions) 

General and administrative expense

  $32.2   $26.2    23.0

As a percentage of revenue

   6.3  6.4 

The increase in general and administrative expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2011 primarily resulted from an increase in stock-based compensation expense due to awards granted in 2011 with a significantly higher stock price on the date of grant and hiring more employees as we grew.

As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses decreased due to the benefit of higher average restaurant sales on a partially fixed-cost base partially offset by higher average rents for new locations.

Other Operating Costs

   For the three months
ended September 30
  %
increase
  For the nine months
ended September 30
  %
increase
 
   2010  2009     2010  2009    
   (dollars in millions) 

Other operating costs

  $52.0   $44.1    17.8% $148.6   $128.6    15.5%

As a percentage of revenue

   10.9%  11.4%   11.0%  11.4% 

Other operating costs decreased as a percentage of revenue in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 due primarily to the benefit of higher average restaurant sales on a partially fixed-cost base and decreased insurance costs, partially offset by increased bank fees.

General and Administrative Expenses

   For the three months
ended September 30
  %
increase
  For the nine months
ended September 30
  %
increase
 
   2010  2009     2010  2009    
   (dollars in millions) 

General and administrative expense

  $33.5   $24.6    36.5% $89.9   $74.1    21.3%

As a percentage of revenue

   7.0%  6.3%   6.6%  6.5% 

The increase in general and administrative expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2010 primarily resulted from the biennial all manager conference we held during the quarter, an increase in stock-based compensation expense and hiring more employees as we grew.

The increase in general and administrative expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily resulted from an increase in stock-based compensation expense, costs from the all manager conference and hiring more employees as we grew.

As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses increased due to the expenses listed above partially offset by the benefit of higher average restaurant sales on a partially fixed-cost base.employees.

Depreciation and Amortization

 

  For the three months
ended September 30
 %
increase
 For the nine months
ended September 30
 %
increase
   For the three  months
ended March 31
 %
increase
 
  2010 2009   2010 2009     2011 2010   
  (dollars in millions)   (dollars in millions) 

Depreciation and amortization

  $17.3   $15.5    12.1% $51.1   $45.4    12.6%  $18.5   $16.7    10.5

As a percentage of revenue

   3.6%  4.0%   3.8%  4.0%    3.6  4.1 

Depreciation and amortization increased primarily due to restaurants opened in 20102011 and 2009.2010. As a percentage of total revenue, depreciation and amortization decreased as a result of the benefit of higher average restaurant sales on a partially fixed-cost base.

Pre-opening Costs

   For the three months
ended September 30
  %
decrease
  For the nine months
ended September 30
  %
decrease
 
   2010  2009     2010  2009    
   (dollars in millions) 

Pre-opening costs

  $1.9   $2.5    (23.4)% $5.2   $6.0    (13.8)%

As a percentage of revenue

   0.4%  0.7%   0.4%  0.5% 

Restaurant openings

   22    26     67    76   

The decrease in pre-opening costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was a result of a decrease in the number of restaurants opened in 2010 as well as cost control efforts around restaurant pre-opening activities.

Loss on Disposal of Assets

   For the three months
ended September 30
  %
decrease
  For the nine months
ended September 30
  %
decrease
 
   2010  2009     2010  2009    
   (dollars in millions) 

Loss on disposal of assets

  $1.5   $1.5    (2.1)% $4.3   $4.8    (9.7)%

As a percentage of revenue

   0.3%  0.4%   0.3%  0.4% 

The loss on disposal of assets decreased as a percentage of revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily due to a decrease in the number of remodels and asset retirements in the first nine months of 2010. The decrease in asset retirements was a result of comprehensive maintenance and repair programs instituted over the last couple of years and continued assessment of, and in some cases adjustments to, our estimated useful lives.

Interest and Other Income

   For the three months
ended September 30
  %
increase
  For the nine months
ended September 30
  %
increase
 
   2010  2009     2010  2009    
   (dollars in millions) 

Interest and other income

  $0.4   $0.1    199.2% $1.1   $0.6    76.1%

As a percentage of revenue

   0.1%  0.0%   0.1%  0.1% 

Interest and other income increased primarily due to higher average short term investment balances and higher yields on our investments compared to the same periods in 2009.

Provision for Income Taxes

 

  For the three months
ended September 30
 %
increase
 For the nine months
ended September 30
 %
increase
   For the three  months
ended March 31
 %
increase
 
  2010 2009   2010 2009     2011 2010   
  (dollars in millions)   (dollars in millions) 

Provision for income taxes

  $29.7   $20.4    45.7% $82.2   $58.4    40.9%  $28.7   $23.6    21.5

Effective tax rate

   38.1%  37.2%   38.3%  38.0%    38.2  38.5 

The 20102011 estimated annual effective tax rate is expected to be 38.3% which includes a benefit fromcompared to 38.1% for 2010. The increase of 0.2% reflects the 2009 federal tax return adjustments. The 2009 effective tax rate for the three and nine months include one-time adjustments for prior period meals and entertainment deductions and a benefit from the 2008 federal tax return adjustments. We estimateimpact of operational changes on our 2011 annual effective tax rate will be 38.4%.food donation program.

Seasonality

Seasonal factors cause our profitability to fluctuate from quarter to quarter. Historically, our average daily restaurant sales and net income are lower in the first and fourth quarters due, in part, to the holiday season and because fewer people eat out during periods of inclement weather (the winter months) than during periods of mild or warm weather (the spring, summer and fall months). Other factors also have a seasonal effect on our results. For example, restaurants located near colleges and universities generally do more business during the academic year. The number of trading days can also affect our results. Overall, on an annual basis, changes in trading days do not have a significant impact on our results.

Our quarterly results are also affected by other factors such as the number of new restaurants opened in a quarter, timing of marketing and promotional spend and both planned and unanticipated events. New restaurants typically have lower margins following opening as a result of the expenses associated with opening new restaurants and their operating inefficiencies in the months immediately following opening. Accordingly, results for a particular quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other quarter or for any year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary liquidity and capital requirements are for new restaurant construction, working capital and general corporate needs. We have a cash and short-term investment balance of $301.0$387.4 million that we expect to utilize, along with cash flow from operations, to provide capital to support the growth of our business (primarily through opening restaurants), to repurchase, as currently authorized, additional shares of our common stock subject to market conditions, to continue to maintain our existing restaurants and for general corporate purposes. We believe that cash from operations, together with our cash and short-term investment balance, will be enough to meet ongoing capital expenditures, working capital requirements and other cash needs over at least the next 24 months.

We haven’t required significant working capital because customers pay using cash or credit cards and because our operations do not require significant receivables, nor do they require significant inventories due, in part, to our use of various fresh ingredients. In addition, we generally have the right to pay for the purchase of food, beverage and supplies some time after the receipt of those items, generally within ten days, thereby reducing the need for incremental working capital to support growth.

We have an unsecured revolving credit facility with Bank of America, N.A. with an initial principal amount of $25 million and an additional $25 million accordion feature. Borrowings under the credit facility will bear interest at a rate set, at our option, at either (i) a rate equal to an adjusted LIBOR rate plus a margin ranging from 0.75% to 2.0% depending on a lease-adjusted leverage ratio, or (ii) a daily rate equal to (a) the highest of the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, the bank’s published prime rate, or one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, plus (b) a margin ranging from 0.0% to 1.0% depending on a lease-adjusted leverage ratio. The facility includes a commitment fee on the unused balance ranging from 0.25% to 0.5%, based on the lease-adjusted leverage ratio. Availability of borrowings under the facility is conditioned on our compliance with specified covenants including a maximum lease-adjusted leverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The facility expires in February 2014, but can be terminated or decreased at our option prior to expiration. We intend to use the credit facility, if at all, for letters of credit issued in the normal course of business and normal short-term working capital needs. As of September 30, 2010, there were no loans outstanding and available borrowings were $19.7 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2010 and DecemberMarch 31, 2009,2011 we had no off-balance sheet arrangements or obligations.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Critical accounting estimates are those that we believe are both significant and that require us to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often because we need to estimate the effect of inherently uncertain matters. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experiences and various other factors that we believe to be appropriate under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates, and we might obtain different estimates if we used different assumptions or conditions. We had no significant changes in our critical accounting estimates since our last annual report. Our critical accounting estimates are identified and described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.2010.

ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Changing Interest Rates

We’re exposed to interest rate risk through the investmentfluctuations of interest rates on our cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities.investments. Changes in interest rates affect the interest income we earn, and therefore impact our cash flows and results of operations. As of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, we had $90.0$282.2 million deposited in available-for-sale securities, $127.7investments, including a trust account classified in other assets, and $106.6 million in accounts with an earnings credit we classify as interest income, and $78.8 million in short-term investments, which combined bear a weighted-average interest rate of 0.5%0.4%.

Commodity Price Risks

We are also exposed to commodity price risks. Many of the ingredients we use to prepare our food, as well as our packaging materials, are commodities or ingredients that are affected by the price of other commodities, exchange rates, foreign demand, weather, seasonality, production, availability and other factors outside our control. We work closely with our suppliers and use a mix of forward pricing protocols under which we agree with our supplier on fixed prices for deliveries at some time in the future, fixed pricing protocols under which we agree on a fixed price with our supplier for the duration of that protocol, and formula pricing protocols under which the prices we pay are based on a specified formula related to the prices of the goods, such as spot prices. However, a portion of the dollar value of goods purchased by us is effectively at spot prices. Generally our pricing protocols with suppliers can remain in effect for periods ranging from one to 18 months, depending on the outlook for prices of the particular ingredient. In several cases, we have minimum purchase obligations. We’ve tried to increase, where necessary, the number of suppliers for our ingredients, which we believe can help mitigate pricing volatility, and we follow industry news, trade issues, exchange rates, foreign demand, weather, crises and other world events that may affect our ingredient prices. Increases in ingredient prices could adversely affect our results if we choose not to increase menu prices at the same pace for competitive or other reasons.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

A portion of our operations consists of activities outside of the U.S. and we have currency risk on the transactions in other currencies and translation adjustments resulting from the conversion of our international financial results into the U.S. dollar. However, a substantial majority of our operations and investment activities are transacted in the U.S. and therefore our foreign currency risk is limited at this date.

ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, our Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

There were no changes during the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

 

ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

California ADA Cases

In 2006, Maurizio Antoninetti filed suit against us in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, primarily claiming that the height of the serving line wall in our restaurants violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, as well as California disability laws. On December 6, 2006, Mr. Antoninetti filed an additional lawsuit in the same court making the same allegations on a class action basis, on behalf of himself and a purported class of disabled individuals, and a similar class action was filed by James Perkins in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on May 7, 2008.

In the individual Antoninetti action, the district court entered a ruling in which it found that although our counter height violated the ADA, we provided the plaintiff with an equivalent facilitation, and awarded attorney’s fees and minimal damages to the plaintiff.plaintiff which we have accrued. We and the plaintiff appealed the district court’s ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and on July 26, 2010, the appeals court entered a ruling finding that we violated the ADA and did not provide the plaintiff with an equivalent facilitation, and remanded the case to the district court. The district court will now determine the damages and injunctive relief and final award of attorneys fees to which Antoninetti is entitled based on the court of appeals ruling.

We are contemplating an appeal of the recent ruling from the appeals court in the individual Antoninetti action. In the event we choose not to appeal or are not successful in an appeal, we will vigorously defend the class action ADA cases. We lowered the height of our serving line walls throughout California some time ago, which makes injunctive relief in theseboth the individual and class actions moot, and have the lower serving lines in a significant majority of our restaurants outside of California as well. We also expect to contestwill vigorously defend the class action cases, including by contesting certification of a plaintiff class in these actions.class. It is not possible at this time to reasonably estimate the outcome of, or any additional potential liability from, these cases.

Notices of Inspection of Work Authorization Documents

Following an inspection during 2010 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, of the work authorization documents of our restaurant employees in Minnesota, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement arm of DHS, or ICE, issued to us a Notice of Suspect Documents identifying a large number of employees who, according to ICE and notwithstanding our review of work authorization documents for each employee at the time they were hired, appeared not to be authorized to work in the U.S. We approached each of the named employees to explain ICE’s determination and afforded each employee an opportunity to confirm the validity of their original work eligibility documents, or provide valid work eligibility documents. Employees who were unable to provide valid work eligibility documents were terminated in accordance with the law. In December 2010, we were also requested by DHS to provide the work authorization documents of our restaurant employees in the District of Columbia and Virginia, and we provided the requested documents in January 2011. We have received additional requests for work authorization documents covering a small number of individual restaurants as well, and ICE’s investigation remains ongoing. In April 2011 we also received notice from the office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia that it is conducting an investigation into these matters through its criminal division. The operating hours of our Minnesota, D.C. and Virginia restaurants have been uninterrupted by these developments, and we believe our practices with regard to the work authorization of our employees, including the review and retention of work authorization documents, are in compliance with applicable law. However, the termination of large numbers of employees does disrupt our operations and results in a temporary increase in labor costs as we train new employees. It is not possible at this time to determine whether we will incur any fines, penalties or further liabilities in connection with these matters.

Miscellaneous

A lawsuit has been filed against us in California alleging violations of state laws regarding employee record-keeping, meal and rest breaks, payment of overtime and related practices with respect to our employees. The case originally sought damages, penalties and attorney’s fees on behalf of a purported class of our present and former employees. The trial court denied the plaintiff’s motion to certify the purported class and the California Court of Appeals affirmed that decision, and as a result the action can proceed, if at all, as an action by a single plaintiff. The plaintiff has appealed the court’s denial of class certification, and the appeal remains pending. Although the limitation to a single-plaintiff action significantly minimizes our current potential exposure from the case and we have various defenses, due to the possibility of further appeals and the uncertainties of litigation it is not possible at this time to reasonably estimate the outcome of, or any potential liability, from this case.

We’re involved in various other claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources. However, a significant increase in the number of these claims, or one or more successful claims under which we incur greater liabilities than we currently anticipate, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operationoperations and cash flows.

ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS

The following updates toThere have been no material changes in our risk factors should be read in conjunction with the risk factors included insince our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Increasing our sales and profitability depends substantially on our ability to open new restaurants, which is subject to many unpredictable factors.

There were 1,023 Chipotle restaurants as of September 30, 2010. We plan to increase the number of our restaurants significantly in the next three years, and plan to open between 53 and 63 new restaurants in the fourth quarter of 2010 and between 135 and 145 new restaurants in 2011, with openings in 2011 to be weighted towards the fourth quarter. However, we have in the past experienced delays in opening some restaurants and that could happen again as a result of any of the following factors:

 

delay or cancellation of new site development by developers and landlords;

our potential inability to locate and secure new restaurant sites in locations that we believe to be attractive;

difficulty managing construction and development costs of new restaurants at affordable levels, particularly in competitive markets;

obstacles to hiring and training qualified operating personnel in the local market;

any shortages of construction materials and labor;

difficulty negotiating leases with acceptable terms;

lack of availability of, or inability to obtain, adequate supplies of ingredients that meet our quality standards;

failures or delays in securing required governmental approvals (including construction, parking and other permits); and

the impact of inclement weather, natural disasters and other calamities.

One of our biggest challenges is locating and securing an adequate supply of suitable new restaurant sites. Competition for those sites in our target markets can be intense, and development and leasing costs are increasing (particularly for urban locations). These factors may be exacerbated by continued difficulties in the commercial real estate or credit markets, as developers may continue to delay or be unable to finance new projects. Delays or failures in opening new restaurants due to any of the reasons set forth above could materially and adversely affect our growth strategy and our expected results. Moreover, as we open and operate more restaurants our rate of expansion relative to the size of our restaurant base will decline, which may in turn slow our sales and profitability growth.

Our progress in opening new restaurants from quarter to quarter may also occur at an uneven rate, which may result in quarterly sales and profit growth falling short of market expectations in some periods. Similarly, our growth strategy and the substantial investment associated with the development of each new restaurant (as well as the impact of our new restaurants on the sales of our existing restaurants) may cause our operating results to fluctuate and be unpredictable or adversely affect our profits.

Our sales and profit growth could be adversely affected if comparable restaurant sales increases are less than we expect, and we may not successfully increase comparable restaurant sales.

While future sales growth will depend substantially on our opening new restaurants, changes in comparable restaurant sales (which represent the change in period-over-period sales for restaurants beginning in their 13th full month of operations) will also affect our sales growth and will continue to be a critical factor affecting profit growth. This is because the profit margin on comparable restaurant sales is generally higher, as comparable restaurant sales increases enable fixed costs to be spread over a higher sales base. Conversely, declines in comparable restaurant sales can have a significant adverse effect on profitability due to the loss of the higher profit margins associated with comparable restaurant sales. We expect comparable restaurant sales in 2011 to be in the low single digits, lower than what we have achieved in 2010. If recent positive trends in our comparable restaurant sales increases do not continue, we may lower our expectations for comparable restaurant sales for 2011.

In addition, our ability to increase comparable restaurant sales depends on many factors, including:

changes in consumer preferences and discretionary spending, including weaker consumer spending in difficult economic times, such as those that persisted throughout 2009 and early 2010;

consumer understanding and acceptance of the Chipotle experience;

our ability to increase menu prices without adversely impacting transaction counts to such a degree that the impact of the decrease in transactions equals or exceeds the benefit of the menu price increase;

competition, either from our competitors in the restaurant industry, or from our own restaurants as some customers who frequent one of our restaurants may begin to visit one of our new restaurants instead;

executing our strategies effectively, including our development strategy, our marketing and branding strategies, our initiatives to increase the speed at which our crew serves each customer, and expanded use of fax service lines and online ordering, each of which we may not be able to accomplish;

initial sales performance of new restaurants, which is subject to the risks described in the Risk Factor section of our most recent annual report on Form 10-K under the heading “Our new restaurants, once opened, may not be profitable, and may adversely impact the sales of our existing restaurants”;

weather, road construction and other factors limiting access to new restaurants; and

changes in government regulation.

A number of these factors are beyond our control. As a result of these factors it is possible that we will not achieve our targeted comparable restaurant sales growth or that the change in comparable restaurant sales could be negative. If this were to happen, sales and profit growth would be adversely affected and our stock price would be likely to decline.

Changes in food and supply costs could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our profitability depends in part on our ability to anticipate and react to changes in food and supply costs. Like all restaurant companies, we are susceptible to increases in food costs as a result of factors beyond our control, such as general economic conditions, seasonal fluctuations, weather conditions, demand, food safety concerns, generalized infectious diseases, fluctuations of the U.S. dollar, product recalls and government regulations. The cost of many basic foods for humans and animals, including corn, wheat, rice and soy oil, has increased markedly in some years, resulting in upward pricing pressures on almost all of our raw ingredients including chicken, beef, tortillas and rice, increasing our food costs. Although the food price environment was generally favorable for us during 2010, we expect that there will be pricing pressures on some of our key ingredients and supplies during the fourth quarter of 2010, continuing into and potentially worsening in 2011. We could also be adversely impacted by price increases specific to naturally-raised meats or other food items we buy as part of our Food With Integrity focus, the markets for which are generally smaller and more concentrated than the markets for commodity food products. Any increase in the prices of the ingredients most critical to our menu, such as beef, chicken, cheese, avocados, beans, rice, tomatoes and pork, would adversely affect our operating results. Alternatively, in the event of cost increases with respect to one or more of our raw ingredients, we may choose to suspend serving menu items, such as guacamole, rather than paying the increased cost for the ingredients. Any such changes to our available menu may negatively impact our restaurant traffic and comparable restaurant sales.

Our Food With Integrity philosophy subjects us to risks.

        Our approach to competing in the restaurant industry depends in large part on our continued ability to adhere to the principle of Food With Integrity. We use a substantial amount of naturally raised and sustainably grown ingredients, and try to make our food as fresh as we can, in light of pricing considerations. We do, however, face challenges associated with pursuing Food With Integrity. It can take longer to identify and secure relationships with suppliers meeting our criteria, and there are higher costs and other risks associated with purchasing naturally raised or sustainably grown ingredients. The growth process for naturally raised meat and sustainably grown vegetables is longer. Herd losses can also be greater when animals are not treated with antibiotics and hormones. Given the costs associated with natural and sustainable farming practices, and recently due to decreased demand as a result of the weak economic environment, many large suppliers have not found it economical to pursue business in this area. Furthermore, as we increase our use of naturally raised and sustainably grown ingredients, the ability of our suppliers to expand output or otherwise increase their supplies to meet our needs may be constrained. As a result of these factors, we have continued to face shortages of naturally raised chicken and anticipate that those shortages will continue through at least the first quarter of 2011.

Moreover, we are broadening our commitment to serving local produce and produce purchased from farmers markets when seasonally available. These initiatives may make it more difficult to keep quality consistent and present additional risk of food-borne illnesses given the greater number of suppliers involved in such a system and the difficulty imposing our quality assurance programs on all such suppliers. Quality variations and food-borne illness concerns could adversely impact public perceptions of Food With Integrity or our brand generally. If as a result of any of these factors we are unable to obtain a sufficient and consistent supply of these ingredients on a cost-effective basis, or at all, our food costs could increase, adversely impacting our operating margins. These factors could also cause us difficulties in aligning our brand with Food With Integrity, which could make us less popular among our customers and cause sales to decline. Our commitment to Food With Integrity may also leave us open to criticism from special interest groups whose ideas regarding food issues differ from ours or who believe we should pursue different or additional goals with our Food With Integrity approach. Any adverse publicity that results from such criticism could damage our brand and adversely impact customer traffic at our restaurants.

Governmental regulation may adversely affect our ability to open new restaurants or otherwise adversely affect our existing and future operations and results.

We are subject to various federal, state and local regulations. Each of our restaurants is subject to state and local licensing and regulation by health, alcoholic beverage, sanitation, food and workplace safety and other agencies. We may experience material difficulties or failures in obtaining the necessary licenses or approvals for new restaurants, which could delay planned restaurant openings. In addition, stringent and varied requirements of local regulators with respect to zoning, land use and environmental factors could delay or prevent development of new restaurants in particular locations.

We are subject to the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act and similar state laws that give civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities in the context of employment, public accommodations and other areas. We may in the future have to modify restaurants, for example by adding access ramps or redesigning certain architectural fixtures, to provide service to or make reasonable accommodations for disabled persons. The expenses associated with these modifications, or any damages, legal fees and costs associated with litigating or resolving claims under the ADA or similar state laws, could be material.

We are also subject to various federal and state laws governing our relationship with and other matters pertaining to our employees, including wage and hour laws, requirements to provide meal and rest periods or other benefits, family leave mandates, requirements regarding working conditions and accommodations to certain employees, citizenship or work authorization and related requirements, insurance and workers’ compensation rules and anti-discrimination laws. Complying with these rules subjects us to substantial expense and can be cumbersome, and can also expose us to liabilities from claims for non-compliance. For example, a lawsuit has been filed against us in California alleging violations of state laws regarding employee record-keeping, meal and rest breaks, payment of overtime and related practices with respect to our employees. We could suffer losses in this case or similar cases, and any such losses could be significant. In addition, several states in which we operate and the federal government have from time to time enacted minimum wage increases, and these increases could increase our labor costs. We also are audited from time to time for compliance with citizenship or work authorization requirements as well. Unauthorized workers are subject to deportation and may subject us to fines or penalties, and if any of our workers are found to be unauthorized we could experience adverse publicity that negatively impacts our brand and may make it more difficult to hire and keep qualified employees.

A comprehensive U.S. health care reform law was enacted in 2010. We are evaluating the impact the new law will have on our employees. Although we cannot predict with certainty the financial and operational impacts the new law will have on us, we expect that our expenses will increase over the long term as a result of the law, and any such increases could be large enough to materially impact our results of operations.

In recent years, there has been an increased legislative, regulatory and consumer focus at the federal, state and municipal levels on the food industry including nutrition and advertising practices. Restaurants operating in the quick-service and fast-casual segments have been a particular focus. For example, the State of California, New York City and a growing number of other jurisdictions around the U.S. have adopted regulations requiring that chain restaurants include calorie information on their menu boards or make other nutritional information available. The U.S. health care reform law included nation-wide menu labeling and nutrition disclosure requirements as well, and our restaurants are covered by these national requirements. Initiatives in the area of nutrition disclosure or advertising, such as requirements to provide information about the nutritional content of our food, may increase our expenses or slow customers as they move through the line, decreasing our throughput. These initiatives may also change customer buying habits in a way that adversely impacts our sales.

        We are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations concerning the discharge, storage, handling, release and disposal of hazardous or toxic substances, as well as local ordinances restricting the types of packaging we can use in our restaurants. We have not conducted a comprehensive environmental review of our properties or operations. We have, however, conducted investigations of some of our properties and identified contamination caused by third-party operations. We believe any such contamination has been or should be addressed by the third party. If the relevant third party does not address or has not addressed the identified contamination properly or completely, then under certain environmental laws, we could be held liable as an owner or operator to address any remaining contamination, sometimes without regard to whether we knew of, or were responsible for, the release or presence of hazardous or toxic substances. Any such liability could be material. Further, we may not have identified all of the potential environmental liabilities at our properties, and any such liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our operations or results of operations. We also cannot predict what environmental laws will be enacted in the future, how existing or future environmental laws will be administered or interpreted, or the amount of future expenditures that we may need to make to comply with, or to satisfy claims relating to, environmental laws.

ITEM 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

The table below reflects shares of common stock we repurchased during the thirdfirst quarter of 2010.2011.

 

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
   Average Price
Paid Per Share
   Total
Number of Shares
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs(1)
   Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs(2)
 

July

   148,650    $138.63     148,650    $108,909,341  

Purchased 7/1 through 7/30

        

August

   156,085    $148.13     156,085    $85,789,100  

Purchased 8/2 through 8/31

        

September

   55,316    $165.60     55,316    $76,628,828  

Purchased 9/1 through 9/24

        

Total

   360,051    $146.89     360,051    $76,628,828  
   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
   Average Price
Paid Per Share
   Total
Number of  Shares
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs(1)
   Approximate  Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs(2)
 

January

   31,500    $223.00     31,500    $63,031,109  

Purchased 1/1 through 1/31

        

February

   13,303    $244.60     13,303    $59,777,155  

Purchased 2/1 through 2/28

        

March

   12,909    $251.21     12,909    $56,534,320  

Purchased 3/1 through 3/31

        

Total

   57,712    $234.29     57,712    $56,534,320  

 

(1)-All shares were purchased in open-market transactions under an agreement with a broker intended to comply with Exchange Act Rule 10b5-1(c).
(2)-Shares were repurchased pursuant to repurchase programs announced on November 9, 2009 and July 22, 2010. Repurchases under eachthe program are limited to $100 million in total repurchase price, and there is no expiration date. On August 13, 2010 we exhausted the $100 million program announced in November 2009. Authorization of the continuing repurchase program may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time.

 

ITEM 3.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.        (Removed and Reserved).

ITEM 4.(Removed and Reserved).

 

ITEM 5.OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

ITEM 6.EXHIBITS

The exhibits listed in the exhibit index following the signature page are filed or furnished as part of this report.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC.
By: 

/s/S/ JOHN R. HARTUNG

Name: John R. Hartung
Title: Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and duly authorized signatory for the registrant)

Date: October 22, 2010April 21, 2011

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description of Exhibit

3.1

 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.*

3.2

 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.**

4.1

 Form of Stock Certificate for Common Stock.*

31.1

 Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

 Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.3

 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

 Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

101The following financial statements, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2009,2010, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010;March 31, 2011; and (iv) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text. The information in Exhibit 101 is “furnished” and not “filed,” as provided in Rule 402 of Regulation S-T.

 

*Incorporated by reference to Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 2009 (File No. 001-32731).
**Incorporated by reference to Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2009 (File No. 001-32731).

 

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