Chipotle Workers Fired over Immigration Status Sue for Backpay

Two former employees of Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants in Minnesota have filed a lawsuit claiming that the chain failed to pay them wages in a timely fashion. 

The workers, who were among hundreds who were fired by the Chipotle chain after an immigration audit raised questions about their immigration status, are seeking class action status.

The lawsuit says that Chipotle did not comply with Minnesota state law when it did not immediately give them their earned compensation upon their dismissal.

The workers are identified in the lawsuit, filed in Hennepin County Court, as Tanya Cortes and Alejandro Juárez, according to the Pioneer Press.

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Chipotle targeted for immigration audits

All Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants in Virginia and Washington, D.C., will be audited by federal immigration officials as part of a wider government crackdown on companies that hire undocumented workers.

The Denver-based burrito chain received “notices of inspections” from the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement at about 60 restaurants, Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold said. That follows a similar probe at all Chipotle locations in Minnesota last year that forced the company to fire some illegal workers. California, which has dozens of Chipotle locations, has not been affected by the probe, Arnold said.  

Arnold warned that more employee dismissals may come.

“If they cannot provide legal documentation, then we cannot legally employ them,” Arnold said, declining to specify how many have already been fired.

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• Chipotle fires hundreds, draws protest (hospitalitybusinessnews.com)

Chipotle fires hundreds, draws protest

Chipotle Mexican Grill said on Thursday that it had fired a substantial number of the 1,200 employees at its 50 Minnesota restaurants after a federal immigration audit found some were illegal workers.

The circumstances of the firings, which began in early December, sparked a protest by several dozen people around noon on Thursday at a downtown Minneapolis Chipotle restaurant. Minneapolis police arrested eight participants after they chained themselves together inside the restaurant. They were cited for trespassing.

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Uproar Over ‘Mass Firings’ At Minn. Chipotle Restaurants

RICHFIELD (WCCO) – A Minnesota immigration rights group is protesting what it calls “mass firings” of Chipotle workers. According to the group, around 50 of the restaurant’s Latino workers have been fired in the last week.

The Minnesota Immigration Rights Action Committeee (MIRAC), a local group that fights for the legalization of undocumented workers, says employees at local Chipotle stores came forward, saying they were fired over questions about their immigration status.

“We started to piece together there was something larger going on than a few people fired at one store,” said MIRAC member Brad Sigal. “It appears to be a statewide attack on immigrant worker who are longtime employees most of them been working there for years.”

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Chipotle Will Open Asian-Inspired Concept

A small team from Chipotle Mexican Grill led by founder, chairman, and co-CEO Steve Ells is working on an Asian restaurant concept that follows the Chipotle model. The company plans to open one Asian-inspired restaurant in 2011.

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Chopotle Grill loses ADA suit

The revolution in tort liability has claimed another victim. Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. is now traveling lighter by around $140,000, thanks to a decision a few weeks ago by a three-judge panel on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. That might not seem a king’s ransom. But the ruling could have major consequences for the way businesses in this country operate.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2010 Results

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG - News) today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

Highlights for the second quarter of 2010 as compared to the second quarter of 2009 include:

Revenue increased 20.1% to $466.8 million
Comparable restaurant sales increased 8.7%
Restaurant level operating margin was 26.9%, an increase of 90 basis points
Net income was $46.5 million, an increase of 31.3%
Diluted earnings per share was $1.46, an increase of 32.7%

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Has Chipotle Peaked?

Chipotle (NYSE:CMG), the Mexican fast food joint, is a valuable stock for investors, having generated over 200% returns since its public launch in 2006. The current market price of the stock is $145, up more than 3X since the initial public offering. Chipotle’s dramatic runup can be attributed to the company’s impressive growth and increasing profitability.

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Chipotle: Too Caliente For Investors

Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) has been on fire as the "quick-casual" burrito joint continues to grow returning over 200% for investors since going public in 2006. The company now employs over 22,000 people to deliver "food with integrity" using all natural ingredients. From 1998 to 2006, McDonald's Corporation owned a majority interest in Chipotle but divested their interest in 2006

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Chipotle Opens First London Restaurant

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG - News) today opened its first European restaurant in London located at 114-116 Charing Cross Road. The company, which operates nearly 1,000 restaurants in the United States, is also looking for additional sites in London and exploring other European markets including Paris and select cities in Germany.


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Chipotle Mexican Grill "In-Sources" It's I.T.

Boiled down, when it comes to outsourcing, there are two sides: pro, as in, you'd better leave that to the experts; and con, as in, if you want something done right, do it yourself.


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Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2010 Results

Highlights for the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the first quarter of 2009 include:


Revenue increased 15.6% to $409.7 million

Comparable restaurant sales increased 4.3%

Restaurant level operating margin was 26.1%, an increase of 260 basis points

Net income was $37.8 million, an increase of 49.1%

Diluted earnings per share was $1.19, an increase of 52.6%

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Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Results

DENVER, Feb 11, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2009.

Highlights for the fourth quarter of 2009 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2008 include:

Revenue increased 12.2% to $387.5 million
Comparable restaurant sales increased 2.0%
Restaurant level operating margin was 24.5%, an increase of 340 basis points
Net income was $31.6 million, an increase of 86%
Diluted earnings per share was $0.99, an increase of 90%

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Chipotle Finalizes London Location

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 2009-- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) (NYSE: CMG.B), the US-based chain of burrito restaurants known for serving “Food with Integrity,” has secured its first London location and is finalizing design and building plans. The restaurant, located at 114-116 Charing Cross Road, will be Chipotle’s first location in Europe and is slated to open in April of 2010.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2009 Results

Highlights for the third quarter of 2009 as compared to the third quarter of 2008 include:
Revenue increased 13.8% to $387.6 million
Comparable restaurant sales increased 2.7%
Restaurant level operating margin was 25.5%, an increase of 410 basis points
Net income was $34.5 million, an increase of 76.9%
Diluted earnings per share was $1.08, an increase of 83.1%
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Chipotle Mexican Grill: Healthy Balance Sheet, Smoking Stock

CMG has become highly successful by offering fast service and high-quality Mexican food in a casual atmosphere. All dishes are prepared using fresh ingredients. The company emphasizes the use of raw ingredients that are raised without the use of animal byproducts, antibiotics or hormones, as well as produce that is grown using sustainable farming methods.

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http://seekingalpha.com/article/157866-chipotle-mexican-grill-healthy-balance-sheet-smoking-stock?source=yahoo

Chain Restaurant Same Store Sales Components Still Negative

We’ve recently listened carefully to McDonald's (MCD), Starbucks (SBUX), Chipotle (CMG), YUM, Dominos (DPZ) and Darden (DRI) earnings calls for news on sales/traffic/mix components. Brinker (EAT) and the upscale Morton’s (MRT) and Ruth Chris (RUTH) are forthcoming. Steak N Shake (SNS) and CKE reported Q3 sales via 8K filings. Not all companies disclose the same store sales components

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http://seekingalpha.com/article/150982-chain-restaurant-same-store-sales-components-still-negative?source=yahoo

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 22, 2009-- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG and CMG.B) today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2009.
Highlights for the second quarter of 2009 as compared to the second quarter of 2008 include:

• Revenue increased 14.1% to $388.8 million
• Comparable restaurant sales increased 1.7%
• Restaurant level operating margin was 26.0%, an increase of 360 basis points
• Net income was $35.4 million, an increase of 44.7%
• Diluted earnings per share was $1.10, an increase of 48.6%

Read more;

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=194775&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1310158&highlight=

Chipotle Mexican Grill drops after downgrade

Burrito Chain Cuts Costs, Raises Prices And Tests New Menu Items