Thursday, February 8, 2007
Lawrence burrito buffs may have noticed that the Qdoba Mexican Grill, 10th and Massachusetts streets, closed and prices increased at the Chipotle Mexican Grill, near 9th and Massachusetts streets, in January.
However, Chris Arnold, media relations representative from Chipotle, said the events at the two restaurants that are about a block apart were unrelated, and the price increase occurred in all Kansas City-area Chipotle restaurants.
Photo by Anna Faltermeier
The store front that Qdoba Mexican Grill formerly occupied sits vacant at 10th and Massachusettes streets. The restaurant closed in January, while Chipotle Mexican Grill raised its prices.
Arnold said prices increased because restaurants began using only naturally raised chicken, beef and pork. Before, only their pork was naturally raised. He said naturally raised meat comes from animals who are fed vegetarian diets and never given hormones or antibiotics.
Prices for different items increased by amounts from 35 to 60 cents. Entrees with chicken increased 55 cents, while meals with steak rose 60 cents and items with pork carnitas went up 35 cents.
Arnold said some competition for customers wasn’t always a bad thing, but he said the closing of the Qdoba restaurant would likely have some benefits for Chipotle.
“I imagine we’ll pick up some Qdoba customers, but we have a very loyal customer base of our own,” Arnold said. “If that grows in part because of Qdoba’s closing, that would be fine with us.”
John White, franchisee of the Qdoba restaurant, declined to comment on the specific reasons for Qdoba’s closing.
“We just chose to no longer be a franchisee of Qdoba’s,” White said.
Jessica Blase, Qdoba guest relations representative, said she hoped Qdoba customers would visit other locations.
We just chose to no longer be a franchisee of Qdoba’s.
- John White, franchisee of the Qdoba restaurant
“The decision was based on a number of factors but was certainly done with consideration to the impact on our guests,” Blase said.
Kansan staff writer Matt Erickson can be contacted at merickson@kansan.com.
— Edited by Jyl Unruh
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