Chipotle Mexican Grill spokesperson Erin Wolford refuted rumors that the restaurant was filing for bankruptcy in a statement to USA TODAY over the weekend.
Wolford claimed that the “false information stemmed from an inaccurate online article confusing Chipotle with an venture it tested in 2023” published by the Spanish media outlet Unión Rayo last week. The article acknowledged the closure of Farmesa Fresh Eatery and included a promotional image showing the Chipotle logo, which led to speculation online.
Wolford confirmed that Chipotle reached out to Unión Rayo about the incident and received an apology for the “false article,” however, the report led to speculation from concern fans, especially after several other restaurants and stores filed for bankruptcy recently.
“Chipotle is closing all restaurants & is declaring bankruptcy. The number of businesses declaring bankruptcy is very eerie,” one X user wrote last Thursday (March 27).
“How chipotle goin bankrupt when i get a bowl with extra chicken and guac everyday?????” another user wrote.
The Chipotle rumor followed several other fast-casual dining chains filing for bankruptcy, which included Sticky Fingers earlier this month, as well as the similarly named, but unrelated, Sticky’s Finger Joint chicken fingers chain, Tijuana Flats, Rubio’s Coastal Grill, BurgerFi and Anthony’s Coal Fire Pizza, all of whom filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024.
The Farmesa Fresh Eatery concept was tested by Chipotle for several months in 2023 at a food hall in Santa Monica.
“Farmesa is a fresh, bold concept featuring delicious proteins, greens, grains and vegetables that are inspired by Chipotle’s Food with Integrity standards,” Chipotle said in a news release shared in February 2023.
Recent Comments