Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

When Chipotle (pronounced chi-POAT-lay) opened its first store in 1993, the idea was simple: demonstrate that food served fast didn't have to be a "fast-food" experience. We use high-quality raw ingredients, classic cooking methods and distinctive interior design--features that are more frequently found in the world of fine dining. When we opened, there wasn't an industry category to describe what we were doing. Some 16 years and more than 900 restaurants later, we compete in a category of dining now called "fast-casual," the fastest growing segment of the restaurant industry, where customers expect food quality that's more in line with full-service restaurants, coupled with the speed and convenience of fast food.