
Chipotle Trademarks
Please note: Gerben IP does not represent Chipotle. This page is provided for informational purposes and reflects information available in public USPTO records.
September 24, 2023
Chipotle is an American restaurant chain serving a simple menu of Mexican-inspired food. It was founded by Steve Ells in Denver, Colorado, in 1993. Steve, a classically trained chef, steered Chipotle into rapid growth and success. The restaurant chain brags over 2,000 locations that serve more than 1 million customers daily.
Chipotle is well known for its “Food With Integrity” marketing, with the brand often reiterating its commitment to offering fresh meal items and ethically sourcing ingredients from like-minded suppliers. This premium ethos has helped Chipotle usher in an era of “fast-casual” dining experiences that have loosely mimicked the chain’s fresh preparation and assembly-line service concept.
Let’s dive deeper into the company’s history, expansion, and trademarks.
Chipotle Company History
Steve Ells, Chipotle’s founder, attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, before becoming a line cook for Chef Jeremiah Tower at Stars in San Francisco, California.
While working as a line cook, Ells first observed the popularity of San Francisco burritos and taquerias in the Mission District. In 1993, he opened the first Chipotle Mexican Grill, using what he learned in San Francisco. The restaurant’s premier location in Denver, Colorado was in a former Dolly Madison Ice Cream store, near the University of Denver campus.
Ells borrowed $85,000 from his father to start the business. According to father and son’s calculations, the dining establishment would need to sell 107 burritos daily to become profitable. Just after a month in business, the restaurant was already selling 1,000 burritos daily.
In 1995, Ells opened a new location using the cash generated from his first location. The third location would be opened through a Small Business Administration loan. Ells’ father later invested $1.5 million into the company to fund additional growth.
After the cash injection from his father, Sells created a business plan, implemented a board of directors, and sourced $1.8 million in additional funding for the company. Since the fast-casual restaurant concept was so successful, Ells shelved his original plan to open a fine-dining restaurant and stuck with Chipotle Mexican Grill.
The first Chipotle to be located outside of Colorado opened in Kansas City, Missouri in 1998. By March of 1999, the company opened its first location in Minnesota, near the campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
McDonald’s Corporation has made investments in Chipotle since 1998. Its initial investment was a small one, but by 2001, McDonald’s was Chipotle’s biggest investor. McDonald’s investment in the fast-casual company allowed Chipotle to expand rapidly, growing from 16 restaurants in 1998 to over 500 in 2005.
Chipotle went public on January 26, 2006, making its initial public offering (IPO) at twice the share price due to high pre-IPO demand. On its first day of public trading, the company’s stock rose 100%, resulting in various acknowledgments, such as the best U.S.-based IPO in six years and the second-best IPO for a restaurant, trailing Boston Market at first.
The money accrued from its public offering was used to fund Chipotle’s continued expansion.
McDonald’s Corporation started a new initiative to focus only on the McDonald’s chain and it began to divest from all non-core businesses. By the time McDonald’s fully divested from Chiptole in October of 2006, it had accrued $1.5 billion on its approximately $360 million investment.
In 2008, Chipotle expanded into the international market by opening its first store outside the U.S. in Toronto, Canada.
Chipotle Restaurant Expansion
In 2011, Steve Ells was featured as a judge on the show America’s Next Great Restaurant and an investor of ANGR Holdings, the company that would be running the concept for the winning restaurant. Chipotle agreed to fund Ells’ investment in ANGR, support its operations, and invest $2.3 million in cash contributions.
The winning concept was for a restaurant named Soul Daddy. However, it was quickly closed after less than five weeks of operation.
In September 2011, Chipotle opened ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen, an Asian fast-casual concept restaurant in Washington D.C. Chipotle announced that the new restaurant would follow its “food with integrity” ethos and service format. The company planned to start with one store and expand based on its success.
In 2015, Chipotle also sought to expand its mobile strategy. It partnered with Tapingo, a tech startup that focused on delivery services for college campuses. The company also announced a new venture, Tasty Burger, which would open in Lancaster, OH in October of 2016. Tasty Burger also followed the fast-casual concept employed at both Chipotle and ShopHouse.
The new ventures, ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen and Tasty Burger never got off the ground and would be closed about a year apart in 2017 and 2018.
Chipotle Trademarks
Chipotle has obtained or sought a federal registration for over 55 trademarks. These include “BOO-RITO,” “CHIPOTLANE,” and “REAL FOOD PRINT.”
Chipotle obtained federal trademark registration for “BOO-RITO” on August 17, 2010. It uses the trademark for its sales promotion, restaurant, and take-out services in connection with Halloween-themed promotional events.
Chipotle applied to register “REAL FOODPRINT” as a federal trademark in September 2020 and intends to use the trademark to promote consumer awareness of sustainable agriculture and the environmental effects of food choices and menu selections prepared in the food industry.
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- REAL FOODPRINT
- BEVERAGES WITH INTEGRITY
- DIGITAL KITCHEN
- FREETING
- GUAC MODE
- REAL FOOD FOR REAL ATHLETES
- CHIPOTLE CULTIVATE FOUNDATION
- TRAIN. EAT. REPEAT.
- OUR PROCESS: NOT PROCESSED.
- WE DO REAL
- THE ONLY INGREDIENT THAT'S HARD TO PRONOUNCE AT CHIPOTLE, IS "CHIPOTLE."
- REAL FOOD IS REALLY REWARDING
- YOUR GOALS. OUR BOWLS.
- CHIPOTLE FOR REAL
- CHIPOTLE REWARDS
- CHIPOTLANE
- FOR REAL
- AS REAL AS IT GETS
- ALWAYS MADE THE TASTY WAY
- CHIPTOPIA
- RAD LANDS
- BURRITOFUL
- LIFE IS BURRITOFUL
- RESPONSIBLY RAISED
- SOFRITAS
- Logo #1
- RESTAURATEUR
- Logo #2
- Logo #3
- CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL
- CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL
- Logo #4
- BOO-RITO
- CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL
- CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL
- CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL
- CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL
- CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL
- CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL
- CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL
- CHIPOTLE
- CHIPOTLE
- CHIPOTLE
- CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL
- Logo #5
- CHIPOTLE
- CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL
- CHIPOTLE
- FOOD WITH INTEGRITY
- CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL
- CHIPOTLE
- CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL
- Logo #6
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Promoting consumer awareness of sustainable agriculture and the environmental effects of menu selections and food choices in the prepared food industry; Providing information in the field of sustainability by providing consumer information to consumers relating to the impact of food choices on the environment. FIRST USE: 20210401. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20210401.
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S Providing information in the field of sustainability by providing environmental scientific information to consumers relating to the impact of food choices on the environment. FIRST USE: 20210401. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20210401.
IC 032. US 045 046 048. G & S Carbonated soft drinks; carbonated and non-carbonated fruit flavored soft drinks; carbonated soft drinks, namely, sodas.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S On-line ordering services in the field of restaurant take-out and delivery. FIRST USE: 20200630. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20200716.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Take out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20200630. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20200716.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; take-out food restaurant services; restaurants featuring home delivery; catering services. FIRST USE: 20190530. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20190530.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Providing incentive award programs for customers through the issuance and processing of loyalty points for purchase of a company's goods and services; providing loyalty award programs for consumers to promote restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20200210. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20200210.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; take-out restaurant services; catering services. FIRST USE: 20190401. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20190401.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Charitable services, namely, promoting the following activities of others: good stewardship for farmers, better livestock husbandry, regenerative agriculture practices, food literacy, cooking education, and nutritious eating. FIRST USE: 20120000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20120000.
IC 036. US 100 101 102. G & S Administering monetary charitable contributions to support and strengthen farmers who are committed to more sustainable farming practices, to support farmers and ranchers who are working to raise animals using pasture-based systems, to support people and organizations that are working to develop affordable, sustainable pasture-based system of animal production, and to support educating Americans about the pleasures and benefits of eating well; Charitable fundraising services. FIRST USE: 20111031. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20111031.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services; catering services. FIRST USE: 20200203. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20200203.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; take-out restaurant services; catering services. FIRST USE: 20201224. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20201224.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; take-out restaurant services; catering services. FIRST USE: 20201224. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20201224.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services; catering services. FIRST USE: 20180900. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20180900.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services; catering services; online ordering services in the field of restaurant take-out. FIRST USE: 20190315. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20190315.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; take-out restaurant services; catering services. FIRST USE: 20200121. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20200121.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services; catering services. FIRST USE: 20180900. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20180900.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S providing incentive award programs for customers through the issuance and processing of loyalty points for purchase of a company's goods and services; providing loyalty award programs for consumers to promote restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20190313. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20190313.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services; providing of food and drink via a drive-thru lane. FIRST USE: 20180201. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20180201.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20180924. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20180924.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take out restaurant services; catering services; bar services; providing of food and drink. FIRST USE: 20170300. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20170300.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20161027. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20161027.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20160627. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20160701.
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S Educational and entertainment services, namely, an ongoing series about responsible farming and food production practices, provided via television, satellite, wireless and computer networks. FIRST USE: 20170300. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20170300.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20140300. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20140300.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20010300. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20010300.
IC 029. US 046. G & S [ salads comprised primarily of meats and vegetables, and also containing rice; prepared vegetable-based entrees; vegetable salads; garden salads; ] chicken; beef; pork [ ; processed beans; guacamole; sour cream; cheese ]. FIRST USE: 20151005. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20151005.
IC 030. US 046. G & S [ burritos; tacos; fajitas; tortillas; corn chips; hot sauces; red chile sauces; adobe sauces; salsas; ] barbacoas, namely, grilled or barbecued meats wrapped in a tortilla; combination meals consisting primarily of barbacoas, namely, grilled or barbecued meats wrapped in a tortilla, and also containing fruits, vegetables, cheese, and/or salsas [ ; rice; salads comprised primarily of rice, and also containing meats and vegetables ]. FIRST USE: 20151005. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20151005.
IC 029. US 046. G & S Prepared vegetable-based entrees. FIRST USE: 20130208. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20130208.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20081030. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20081030.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Conducting employee incentive award programs to promote a culture of high standards, constant improvement, and assisting fellow employees to excel. FIRST USE: 20070000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20070000.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services and take out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19951001. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19951001.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services and take out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19951001. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19951001.
IC 029. US 046. G & S Salads comprised of meats, rice, and vegetables, excluding chipotle peppers. FIRST USE: 19930713. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19930713.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Burritos, tacos, fajitas, tortillas, and corn chips; hot sauces; red chile sauces; adobe sauces; salsas; and barbacoas, namely grilled or barbecued meats wrapped in a tortilla alone or in combination with other fruits, vegetables, cheese, and/or salsas. FIRST USE: 19930713. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19930713.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20020300. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20031200.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; Take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19990224. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19990224.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S sales promotion services[; conducting marketing and promotional events for restaurants in the nature of free burrito giveaways to customers for dressing up as one of the restaurant's menu items for Halloween]. FIRST USE: 20001000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20001000.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services and take-out restaurant services, all in connection with a Halloween-themed promotional event. FIRST USE: 20001000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20001000.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20090618. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20090618.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20081115. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20081115.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20090710. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20090710.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20101123. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20101123.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20080828. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20080828.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20080828. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20080828.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20081029. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20081029.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20080828. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20080828.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20080828. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20080828.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20080828. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20080828.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20080828. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20080828.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20080828. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20080828.
IC 029. US 046. G & S prepared entrees consisting primarily of chicken, steak, carnitas, barbacoa or vegetables; prepared vegetable-based entrees; salads comprised of lettuce and choice of meat, beans, salsa, cheese and/or sour cream; guacamole; sour cream; cooked beans; cheese. FIRST USE: 19930000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19930000.
IC 030. US 046. G & S burritos; tacos; fajita burritos; salsas; tortillas; tortilla chips; rice; salads comprised primarily of rice and choice of meat, beans, salsa, cheese and/or sour cream; prepared entrees consisting primarily of rice. FIRST USE: 19930000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19930000.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; Take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20001117. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20001117.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services; take-out restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20070112. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20070112.
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant Services. FIRST USE: 20030100. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20030100.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19930713. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19930713.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19930713. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19930713.
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19930713. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19930713.
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19930700. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19930700.