Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) is adding premium Patrón margaritas to the menu in its U.S. restaurants. The new margarita is hand-made for each customer using Patrón Silver tequila, triple sec, a blend of fresh lime and lemon juices, and organic agave nectar. The Patrón margarita will be available in about 900 Chipotle restaurants beginning Monday, April 29.

Chipotle's new Patron margarita (Photo: Business Wire)

Chipotle's new Patron margarita (Photo: Business Wire)

"Many people are not aware, but we have served margaritas at Chipotle from the beginning," said Mark Crumpacker, chief marketing officer at Chipotle. "Previously, however, they were made using a margarita mix and we didn't feel they were as delicious as they could be. Our new margarita recipe eliminates the mix in favor of a few simple ingredients. The new margarita tastes much better and is a really terrific addition to our menu."

Served on the rocks with a wedge of lime, the premium Patrón margarita is a simple recipe using only a few ingredients, and will be offered to customers alongside another margarita option made with Sauza tequila. The Sauza margarita will be available as a house option at a lower price, but will be made using the same recipe as the Patrón version.

In addition to Patrón and Sauza margaritas, Chipotle also offers beer - including craft varieties - in many of its restaurants nationwide. Alcoholic beverages are available to customers 21 and over.

ABOUT CHIPOTLE

Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience. Today, Chipotle continues to offer a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and salads made from fresh, high-quality raw ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in a distinctive atmosphere. Through our vision of Food With Integrity, Chipotle is seeking better food from using ingredients that are not only fresh, but that--where possible--are sustainably grown and naturally raised with respect for the animals, the land, and the farmers who produce the food. A similarly focused people culture, with an emphasis on identifying and empowering top performing employees, enables us to develop future leaders from within. Chipotle opened with a single restaurant in 1993 and currently operates more than 1,450 restaurants. For more information, visit Chipotle.com.

Chris Arnold, 303-222-5912
carnold@chipotle.com