Chipotle's Tomb Raiding Days Are Over! Burrito Busts and Bowl Blunders!

Raiders of the Lost Revenue

Right darlings let's get to it. Seems even Chipotle is feeling the pinch – a revenue drop off! I must say even I Lara Croft am surprised. Usually a hearty burrito is just the ticket after a daring tomb raid. Apparently the 'same store sales' have taken a tumble for the first time since 2020. A 0.4% drop! Honestly I've faced scarier odds against a T Rex.

Blame the Weather Blame the Economy!

Now the suits at Chipotle are blaming both a slowdown in consumer spending and… *wait for it*… adverse weather. Adverse weather? Seriously? Are we talking monsoon season in the Yucatan or just a bit of drizzle? It seems folks are tightening their belts and burritos are the first to go. "Saving money because of concerns around the economy was the overwhelming reason consumers were reducing the frequency of restaurant visits," says CEO Scott Boatwright. I suppose even the thrill of a perfectly assembled burrito bowl can't compete with economic uncertainty. A girl's gotta eat but apparently not always at Chipotle.

Burrito Season Delayed? That's Just Not Cricket!

Normally according to Chipotle spring is 'burrito season'! Apparently it's the busiest time of year from Easter through May. But Easter landed late delaying the usual surge in demand. Honestly you'd think they were raiding tombs – timing is everything! But fear not they launched their 'chipotle honey chicken' which helped sales in March. Thank goodness for small mercies eh?

Inflation: Even Avocados Aren't Safe!

And hold on to your hats dearies because there's more! Chipotle's projecting higher inflation due to those pesky tariffs. The White House's tariffs on aluminum and a broad 10% import duty. Roughly half the company's avocado supply comes from outside of Mexico for example. Chipotle Chief Financial Officer Adam Rymer estimated that tariffs will add 50 basis points or 0.5% to its cost of sales on an ongoing basis. So even my post adventure guacamole fix is under threat!

Return to Positive Transaction Comps?

The suits are confident. “I am confident that we have a strong plan to return to positive transaction comps by the second half of the year and during these uncertain times we will continue to invest in the things that make Chipotle a special brand — our people culinary value proposition innovation and growth,” said Boatwright. Well good for them. Meanwhile I'll be out there finding more treasures and dodging booby traps. I may even pack a few homemade sandwiches just in case. One never knows when one might need a good meal especially when raiding ancient civilizations or even just you know *existing*.

More Restaurants More Trouble?

Despite the bumps in the road Chipotle's still planning to open between 315 and 345 new restaurants by the end of 2025. One can only hope they'll have better luck filling them than they've had lately. Perhaps they should consider offering a 'Tomb Raider' discount? I’d certainly be a loyal customer. But for now it seems even a global empire like Chipotle is not immune to the vagaries of the economy. Still I suspect they'll bounce back. After all everyone needs a good burrito right? It’s all part of the adventure isn’t it?