I need to know what the international expansion plans are for Chipotle
(www.chipotle.com), a subsidiary of McDonald's. Specifically I need to
know:
- Which non-U.S. markets are of interest to Chipotle (especially United Kingdom)
- When do they plan to expand to these markets
- How many stores do they plan to open within each non-U.S. market
Useful background info: Chipotle is sometimes referred to as Chipotle
Mexican Grill. The CEO and Founder of Chipotle is Steve Ells. The
restaurant was started in 1993.
I have already found the following article where Steve Ells discusses
interest in international expansion but nothing more concrete
http://www.westword.com/issues/2004-06-10/feature_5.html
An answer must provide more detail than what you'll find at the above link.
Thanks in advance |
Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
30 Jul 2005 16:41 PDT
discoman-ga,
I've looked at a few up-to-date articles on Chipotle, and what it
looks like it this:
--McDonalds does not have any intent to expand Chipotle outside the
US, and feels there is still ample room for expansion in the US market
--Industry observers say McDonalds is likely to spin-off Chipotle in
the near future, as it has done with some of its other
chain-restaurant acquisitions in recent years
--What happens (if and) when Chipotle is spun-off is anyone's quess.
I can point you to these articles, if that would be helpful. But I
have not seen anything to indicate that there are any concrete
international expansion plans for Chipotle -- at least nothing that's
been made public.
Let me know what you think.
pafalafa-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
discoman-ga
on
31 Jul 2005 16:39 PDT
pafalafa-ga,
The spin-off rumors are something I'm already aware of - question is
what are Chipotle's international expansion plans, independent of who
there owner is - whether it's still McDonald's in the future or the
company is IPO'ed - As mentioned in the original question I have
already found an article where Steve Ells, CEO and founder of Chipotle
states they will definitely try out some international markets - so
the question remains where and when...
|
Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
31 Jul 2005 17:35 PDT
Can't do more than tell you what I found re: Chiptole. According to a
January, 2005 article:
"...McDonald's had said it would limit development of Chipotle...to the US..."
in order to retain a sharp focus on sales and service at its
McDonald's restaurants.
paf
|
Clarification of Question by
discoman-ga
on
01 Aug 2005 06:47 PDT
Is this in 2005? Since it basically states the same intent(i.e., focus
on the U.S. for now) as the link I provided in the question I'm
wondering if the statement you found is more current...
|
Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
01 Aug 2005 15:11 PDT
The article itself is indeed from 2005, and is dated Jan 28, 2005.
Beyond that, they don't reference the specific source regarding
McDonald's plans, so I can't say how recent (or not) it is. The exact
quote is:
"McDonald's had said it would limit development of Chipotle and its
Boston Market chain to the US to "remain sharply focused on
revitalising sales and service" at McDonald's restaurants outside the
US. Legg Mason, the financial services group, said in a research note:
"Chipotle may be spun off soon, which is not a surprise to us, given
the 400-unit chain's success and McDonald's focus on its core
brands...."
Does that help?
|
Clarification of Question by
discoman-ga
on
02 Aug 2005 01:55 PDT
well i had hoped for something more concrete but apparently it doesn't
exist... could you please provide me with all relevant research for
this question and please post as an answer so that you may collect the
fee. Thank you.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
02 Aug 2005 05:51 PDT
discoman-ga,
Well, I wish I could post an answer, as you invited me to, but I'm
afraid the information I have is fairly meager, and doesn't seem to
warrant a $75 price tag.
So here's what I have, gratis:
==========
Financial Times
London
January 29, 2005
McDonald's in hint over Chipotle move
...McDonald's yesterday hinted it might spin off its Chipotle Mexican
Grill business, saying it was looking for strategies to fuel growth at
the upmarket Mexican food chain while focusing on the core McDonald's
brand.
...Jim Skinner, chief executive, said: "We believe Chipotle's value
and potential might be maximised through alternative strategies that
could include raising additional equity capital in the public or
private markets."
...The world's largest fast-food company holds the majority stake in
Chipotle, operator of more than 400 "fast-casual" Mexican eateries
across the US. Chipotle, based in Denver, Colorado, was founded in
1993.
...A spin-off would fall in line with the company's strategy of
focusing resources on existing McDonald's restaurants. It sold the
Donatos Pizzeria business back to its founder in December 2003 for an
undisclosed amount.
...McDonald's had said it would limit development of Chipotle and its
Boston Market chain to the US to "remain sharply focused on
revitalising sales and service" at McDonald's restaurants outside the
US. Legg Mason, the financial services group, said in a research note:
"Chipotle may be spun off soon, which is not a surprise to us, given
the 400-unit chain's success and McDonald's focus on its core brands.
We believe cash raised would eventually make its way back to
shareholders in the form of an increased buy-back."
==========
I can't post the full article, since it is copyrighted, but the gist
of story on Chipotle is included in the above excerpts.
Hope that's of some help to you.
pafalafa-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
discoman-ga
on
02 Aug 2005 11:10 PDT
pafalafa-ga,
You have a sense of honor - I really respect that. I'll meet you
halfway...I've reduced the price to 37.50...please submit as an answer
and collect your fee. Even though I didn't get the type of answer I
had hoped for, I still find the information useful and worth 37.50.
Thank you.
|
