Chipotle to test new concepts at 2 new Valley locations starting in January

PHOENIX — Chipotle will test some new concepts at two new Valley locations as it looks to further grow its $1 billion digital business.

The Mexican grill will implement a new restaurant design and an online pickup system when the restaurants open in January, a Chipotle spokeswoman told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Thursday.

The concepts will be in place at the location at Priest Drive and Elliot Road in Tempe and the one at 19th Avenue and Bethany Home Road in Phoenix.

“By better suiting our restaurants to accommodate the digital business, we’re able to finalize orders more effectively and provide a better overall experience for our guests,” Curt Garner, Chipotle’s chief technology officer, said in a press release.

The new restaurant design will have more open space and more seating toward the front of the restaurant to increase communication for customers who are waiting for their orders. Also, a cooler with bottled beverages will be available for customers to grab on the go.

The Chipotlane, a separate concept, will act as a walk-up option for customers who place their orders online and will separate them from customers who order in the restaurant.

Chipotle is also testing the concepts at locations in Chicago, Cincinnati, San Diego and Newport Beach, California.

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