Chipotle Mexican Grill Essay Example for Free

Chipotle Mexican Grill EssayI. Key Problem What Steven Ells began with a small taqueria in Denver, Colorado in 1993, one may not have foreseen this venture to become the fastest growing restaurant chain in the last decennary. By 2006, Ells idea made its initial public whirl with 535 restaurants throughout the world. Things were going tremendously well for CMG until late afternoon on October 18, 2012 when Ells finished receiving the companys third quarter results. While data indicated an boilersuit satisfactory outcome, it was the competition from Yum Brands taco chime and their recent launch of the Cantina Bell circuit card that would result in what seemed to be the onset of a major problem. greaser Bell had now become a major competitor to Chipotle since the launch of their new Cantina Bell menu allowing them to enter into the fast-casual segment in offering similar ingredients and items as Chipotle had. At the same time CMG paid a significant amount more than for their harvestings forcing them to charge a high price on their menu items. Taco Bell, however, now offered similar items for half the price. The bottom line competition was the root of this problem. The fact that Chipotle menu prices were higher as compared to that of Taco Bells new menu would lead to consumers or normally loyal customers to give the Cantina Bell menu a try.After the launch of the Cantina Bell menu in the summer of 2012, CMG stock significantly declined just after third quarter results were announced. To add insult to injury, Jeff Einhorn, a hedge fund leader, presented at the encourage Investors convocation in New York City proclaiming that CMG was an attractive stock for short-sellers because of the considerable competition from Taco Bell. He throw out stated, 23% of Chipotle customers had already tried Taco Bells Cantina Bell menuand two-thirds of those customers indicated they would return. Whats more, the customers most the likely to return to Taco Bell were als o those most likely to eat at Chipotle, a dynamic that indicates to me that Chipotle is most at risk of losing its frequent customers.This message led to CMGs stock falling by more than 4% within hours of the destination of the presentation. The announcement of projected increases in food salutes on the part of CMG also contributed to the competition between them and Taco Bell. While Chipotle stood by its belief that it is solid food with Integrity because of better ingredients, the Cantina Bell menu produced something similar while lowering the toll a customer would have to have for a meal, therefore, causing further competition between the two.II. Relevant TheoryBy looking at the items offered on the Cantina Bell menu versus those on Chipotles menu, I determined that they some(prenominal) have a competitive advantage. Chipotle is a premium product offered at a higher price where it reaches a broader market take that is testamenting to pay more money. On the other hand, Taco Bells main strategic course is cost leadership which enables them to reach a broader market share with a lower price for the desired item.As shown on Example 1 the Competitive Advantage and Economic Value Created are somewhat unalike between the two companies. Since Chipotle offers a better quality of ingredients, consumers are go outing to pay a higher price. As a result, creating a higher Value (V) for a burrito is at the same time creating a greater economic value (Value-Cost.) Meanwhile the economic value created by Taco Bell is little since the value of their product is less and consumers maximum allow foringingness to pay pull up stakes be lower. Example 1Since Yum Brands launching of the new Cantina Bell menu, this new entire ingredient-driven list of selections has been a pretty obvious attempt to compete with fast casual giant Chipotle. This is what has become the major concern for Chipotle where competition is becoming uncut and for practically half the price the Cantina Bell menu is a definite value. However, you do get what you pay for and the overall quality and taste of Chipotle still has a slightly greater edge over Taco Bell. The value someone will be willing to pay for a Taco Bell burrito will be less than the value Chipotle has created with their better quality ingredients, hence creating a greater economic value.III. Assessment of AlternativesHow could Chipotle effectively approach their key problem which is Taco Bells new Cantina Bell menu? What seems to be the main concern for Chipotle is that Taco Bell is trying to provide a similar product for half the price. Some of the substitute(a)s available to Chipotle to are Buy low cost goods to reduce prices using Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) Another selection could be to offer a smaller burrito for a smaller price, or to include less amounts of meat as Taco Bell does Continue doing what they do beaver and differentiate themselvesShould Chipotle buy low cost good s to reduce prices using Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), it would allow them to offer menu items at a lower cost to the consumer providing greater competition between them and Taco Bells Cantina Bell menu. However, in doing so would contradict their philosophy of providing the best quality ingredients in their food. In doing so, it will multifariousness CMGs scheme from world a premium product and higher price to a cost leadership strategy and at the same time reducing the value of its product.Another option could be to offer a smaller burrito for a smaller price, or to include less amounts of meat as Taco Bell does in its Cantina Bell menu. This would also allow for cost effectiveness on twain the consumer and Chipotles side, however, it would go against CMGs mission statement of being Food with Integrity, lower its value and become a cost leadership strategy as opposed to being a premium product and higher price.A third alternative is for CMG to continue to com pete effectively by doing what they already are doing which is specialisation based on quality and sustainability. This approach supports its philosophical message of better food for the consumer and community as well as being environmentally conscious. This allows CMG to maintain its values and remain within their strategy segment. On the contrary, this alternative force Chipotle to increase their menu prices while reducing its consumer surplus.IV. Suggested Course of exploitAfter carefully analyzing the different alternatives, the best course of action is to continue to compete effectively on differentiation based on quality and sustainability stipulation the mounting competitive and sourcing challenges. Even thought Taco Bells new menu seems like a significant threat they are utmost from creating the same value and reputation Chipotle has created since it opened its first restaurant in 1993. Not only does Chipotle provide the freshest and best ingredients with a bold flavor, they are cathode-ray oscilloscope themselves apart from any other restaurant chain and main competitor since they continuously are working toward better practices.They continue to push to sustainable sourcing like getting their meat form non Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) while at the same time contributing to the promotion of good puppet health and fighting against animal abuse. In addition, CMG buys products from local farms, builds restaurants to be eco friendly and LEED certified (leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) while trying to keep the cost and price of other items down. As their value statement proclaims, Food with Integrity is a mission of serving good quality food with inputs sourced using sustainable farming practices.Even thought new threats like Taco Bells Cantina Bell menu are presenting a challenge there will always be competition. CMG upholds strong beliefs to do what is best for the environment and for its communities in order to provi de the best products to its consumers. This is precisely why they have grown so fast from the opening of their first taqueria, to the capital infusion from McDonalds, to its initial Public offering (IPO.) They have been the fastest growing chain in the last decade and just like any fast growing business, regardless of their success, they will reach a slower growth as they approach maturity.There will still be opportunity for expansion. Chipotle is certainly heading toward a different direction than their competitors making them stand out and become a lot harder to imitate. This alternative is truly the only logical option for Chipotle as it continues to enforce its philosophy of providing Food with Integrity. There will always be competition between companies and products, however, if Chipotle chooses another(prenominal) route for combating this rivalry with Taco Bell, it would not allow itself to differentiate from them.V. Key TakeawaysBefore nurture this case, I knew nothing abou t Chipotle but after reading it I am quite impressed by the approach CMG has taken choosing to go a different route most companies are afraid of doing because of higher cost prices. I was equally impressed they choose organic products, to buy from local farms, being against massive animal feeding as well as animal cruelty and that they are eco friendly and are looking to make all their restaurants like this. Of course, I should also mention that one knows one will be eating the best ingredients and most fresh available foods. I am confident as the values of this company are brought to the attention of more of the public, Chipotle will reach a bigger market share as the public demand will rise. I would also predict other companies and restaurants will follow similar suit.As mentioned earlier, there will always be competition in business, but a firm must find their differentiation advantage. As individuals become more educated and understand the factor facing the environment people wi ll be willing to make a change and help make a difference.