Ethics and social responsibility

  Chipotle is a company based on integrity. Integrity is about being real and being honest. It means doing the right thing even when no one is watching. These values permeate the way we do, and do not do, business.

  You are expected to use good judgment, adhere to high ethical standards, and avoid situations that create an actual or perceived conflict between your personal interests and those of Chipotle. Chipotle requires that the transactions you participate in are ethical and within the law, both in letter and in spirit. When in doubt, consult with your Manager/Director or the People Support Department. They will determine if a conflict exists and establish controls to prevent abuse or, if such control is not feasible, they may require that you terminate the activity in question or divest your interest in any relevant transaction. No matter what, each of us must accept personal responsibility for doing the right thing.

  Conflicts of interests or unethical behavior may take many forms. In the simplest terms, you should act for the long-term benefit of our customers and Chipotle, never for personal gain, or to favor family or friends. What follows are some of the key principles of ethical and conflict-free conduct. There is no way to develop a single set of rules to cover all situations. Rather, this policy outlines basic guidelines for ethical behavior at Chipotle. It does not replace good judgment.

  Just as important as the ethic concerns, Chipotle also cares about the social and environmental responsibilities of the business. Corporations of any size should give back to the community they operate in, in one way or another. A great example of this is Chipotle’s initiative to support local family farms. 
Good business means participating in value adding actions. You should never expense dollars on something that will not add value, either directly or indirectly, to your company. When it comes to performing a social good, many companies feel a pressure from society and therefore create campaigns out of reaction. Their justification is image-based and in many cases does produce value, only on a shallow level and for a short-lived time span.
  Chipotle’s investments in local farms is a great example of social responsibilities. This isn’t just a campaign to put Chipotle in a good light with the public, but it bolsters small farms that grow fresh produce and in turn creates value adding relationships with these food chains. Chipotle has pledged to use 10 million pounds of local produce while initiating a marketing campaign to inform consumers of the “disappearing” small family farm. This not only helps these small farms (the social good), but it creates a sustainable relationship between business and supplier, gives Chipotle some camera time, and allows them to continue to cook great food using fresh ingredients.