Chipotle 3.0 Prototypes

Re-envisioning the customer experience while reducing overall investment costs

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Spurred by a desire to bring their quality offerings to a broader audience, Chipotle hired El Dorado to completely re-imagine the design of a Chipotle environment. Five simple rules were given:\ \ 1. Reduce Overall Investment Costs 2. Same Menu 3. Same Name 4. Kitchen on Full Display 5. Same Interactive Customer Service Model Two layout types were developed, side-load and front-load, to reflect the nature of interaction between customers and the kitchen. The goal was to design four prototypes modeling the full range of possible roll-out conditions for this concept, including new construction and renovation for both types. Working with one of the largest kitchen equipment manufacturers in North America, the architect was responsible for rethinking the kitchen and the dining room design. Full-scale prototypes allowed for testing of new conditions throughout the store design. The architect fabricated all custom furniture components for the new stores.
  • 2015
  • Architect
  • Kansas, Missouri, Texas
  • 1,500-1,700 SF

Client

  • Chipotle

Eldo Team

  • David Dowell
  • Chris Burk
  • Ted Arendes
  • Daniel Renner

Collaborators

  • Contractor: Horizon Contracting
  • Structural Engineer: Bob D. Campbell
  • MEP: Lankford+Fendler and Associates

Awards

  • 2016 AIA Kansas City Design Excellence Awards - Citation
  • 2018 AIA Central States Region Design Awards - Merit Award
  • 2018 Interior Design - Best of Year Award, Outdoor Honoree

Photography by

  • Mike Sinclair

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