The rise and fall of Chipotle: From $50B to disappointment?

Chipotle was once the fast casual king—fresh food, loyal fans, and even investment from McDonald’s. At its peak, Chipotle had a cult-like following and was valued at over $50 billion. But after food safety scandals, shrinking portions, and unhappy customers, the story took a sharp turn.

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In this video, we dive into the rise and fall of Chipotle—from Steve Ells’ first Denver restaurant in 1993 to explosive growth with McDonald’s, the E. coli outbreaks of 2015, and the turnaround attempt under Brian Niccol. We’ll break down what made Chipotle special, how it lost its way, and what lessons business owners can learn from its mistakes.

If you’re curious about Chipotle’s history, growth strategy, and decline, this video will give you the full story—numbers, scandals, and all.

📈 Topics Covered:

The origin of Chipotle and founder Steve Ells
McDonald’s $360M investment and hypergrowth
The 2015 E. coli outbreak and $25M fine
How Brian Niccol (ex-Taco Bell) tried to save Chipotle
Why customers are complaining about smaller portions & higher prices
The business lessons behind Chipotle’s struggles

💬 What’s your experience with Chipotle—still a fan, or have you stopped going? Comment below!