NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. — Chipotle Mexican Grill plans to launch a digital restaurant concept dubbed Chipotle Digital Kitchen. Customers will be required to order in advance via the Chipotle app, website or third-party delivery service; there will not be a dining area or line to order food. The Newport Beach-based restaurant chain says the footprint is designed for urban areas but will open its first location near West Point Academy in Highland Falls, New York, on Saturday, Nov. 14.
The announcement of the restaurant opening comes on the heels of the company’s third-quarter earnings report, which showed Chipotle’s digital sales tripled year-over-year. Furthermore, online sales accounted for nearly half (48.8 percent) of total sales for the quarter, which ended Sept. 30.