Chipotle Plans Second ShopHouse

After what it deems a very successful debut of its new concept, Chipotle Mexican Grill is working to open its second ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen. The Denver chain opened the inaugural unit in Washington, D.C., in September. It offers essentially the same customized, fast-casual service style of the 1,163-unit Chipotle, but with a different flavor profile.

Chipotle Co-Chief Executive Steve Ells told analysts at a recent investor conference that the second ShopHouse would open later this year in “a really funky spot” not far from the first outlet in northwest Washington.

More ShopHouse locations are expected, Ells said, as the company lays the groundwork for future growth and fine-tunes the concept.

Chipotle also is eyeing potential expansion of its namesake brand in Europe and Canada. The company has two Chipotle locations open in Toronto and two in London. The first Paris store is scheduled to open by February, Ells said. Germany is the next market target.

The company plans to open between 155 and 165 new restaurants in 2012, the most in the company’s history, said Co-CEO Monty Moran. An estimated 135 to 145 locations were expected to open before the end of fiscal 2011. More details will emerge Feb. 1, when Chipotle is scheduled to report on fourth-quarter and full-year financial earnings.