Chipotle Unveils All-Electric, Eco Restaurants Powered By Wind & Solar Energy

Soon, Chipotle outlets sprouting up across the country will turn into all-electric restaurants, as the fast-food chain has announced its plan to utilize only renewable energy in over 100 of its new locations next year.

According to the company, the new design will help it reduce 50% of its greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the decade. The “responsible restaurant” will feature rooftop solar panels where possible, replace gas power with electric equipment, and offer biodegradable cutlery.

In addition, the usual chairs found in the burrito chain’s outlets will be replaced with cactus leather seats, with artworks adorning the stores’ interiors to be made from recycled rice husks. Customers with electric vehicles will also get to benefit from charging stations at select locations.

That’s not all. The brand reveals that menu-wise, it was working behind the scenes on additional vegetarian and vegan offerings. This means investing in projects to reduce emissions for beef and dairy products and increasing the amount of local produce purchased.

As per CNBC, Chipotle isn’t the first fast-food business to look into eco-friendly measures. In 2021, McDonald’s opened an outlet powered by renewable energy in Disney World, while salad restaurant Sweetgreen has been promoting menu items with a lower carbon footprint.

“With our aggressive development goal in North America, we hold ourselves accountable to reduce the environmental impact of our restaurants,” explained Laurie Schalow, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Chipotle.

“We are aiming to incorporate some elements of our responsible restaurant design into many of our new restaurant openings going forward.”

[via CNBC and Axios, images via Chipotle Mexican Grill]