Chipotle is opening dozens of locations with drive-thru-style 'Chipotlanes'

Hollis Johnson

Soon, you may be able to pick up your Chipotle burrito at a drive-thru.

• Chipotle is adding drive-thru-style "Chipotlanes" at dozens more locations.
• The lanes allow customers to pick up mobile orders without getting out of their cars, as a traditional fast-food drive-thru with a digital twist.
• In the most recent quarter, Chipotle's digital sales grew 65.6%, accounting for 12.9% of the chain's sales.

Chipotle is getting into the drive-thru business, albeit with a nontraditional twist.

On Wednesday, CEO Brian Niccol said on a call with investors that Chipotle plans to open "a few dozen more" mobile-order pickup lanes, called "Chipotlanes." Most of these will be new locations, as opposed to adding the drive-thru lanes onto preexisting stores.

Niccol explained that Chipotlanes function essentially as drive-thrus, with the major difference being that customers need to place their orders via the Chipotle app or an online form. After placing the order, customers pull up to a window at the specified pickup time and get their order without ever having to leave the car.

"Arguably, it will be the fastest way to [get] Chipotle - going through the Chipotlane," Niccol said.

Chipotle already has added Chipotlanes in 10 locations across the United States.

According to executives, adding the Chipotlanes helps boost both digital orders and overall orders. Additionally, Niccol said the Chipotlanes could allow Chipotle to experiment with different types of stores, potentially including those more focused on takeout.

Yelp Monique R.

Chipotle's drive-thru in San Antonio, Texas.

Yelp photos of the San Antonio, Texas, Chipotle location with a drive-thru lane show a screen that says, "Picking up an online or app order?"

Customers are instructed to drive "straight ahead to burrito bliss."

"When I went there was no line for the drive-thru," one five-star review from February reads. "I think word still needs to get out about it. It's a very unique concept, they have two kitchens/prepping areas."

Niccol emphasized that the Chipotlanes are still in their "early days" and that the company will continue to test the new type of store through 2019.

The rollout of the lanes for mobile orders in 2019 comes as Chipotle is doubling down on digital sales. In the most recent quarter, digital sales grew 65.6%, accounting for 12.9% of the chain's sales, the company reported on Wednesday.