Tuesday, August 13, 2019

[EXCLUSIVE] Chipotle Bringing Their "Chipotlane" to Austell

A new Chipotle Mexican Grill is coming soon to Austell.  The new restaurant, which will open in an outparcel of the existing Brookwood Square shopping center, replaces a Pollo Tropical restaurant that closed, along with eight others locally, this past December, amidst the Miami-based chain's complete retreat from Georgia.  The former fast food restaurant, located at 3999 Austell Road, will provide Chipotle another drive-thru, a feature the chain has been implementing at new restaurants.

The drive-thrus, however, are not typical fast food drive-thrus.  The drive-thrus function as mobile-order pickup lanes, called "Chipotlanes," according to Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol.  Niccol said on a February call with investors that Chipotle planned to open "a few dozen more" Chipotlanes.  One of those new locations opened early last month at 3606 Sandy Plains Road in East Cobb, where Chipotle converted a former Boston Market

According to Niccol, Chipotlanes function like drive-thrus, with the major difference being that customers need to have placed their orders on the Chipotle app or on an online form. After placing the order, customers pull up to the window at the specified pickup time, allowing them to quickly pick up orders without leaving their car.

ToNeTo Atlanta first got wind of the planned Chipotle in Austell in June.  While we were previously unable to substantiate the rumor, new plans released by Cobb County confirm the plans.  Chipotle will spend $350,000 to renovate the 3,480 square foot restaurant to suit their needs.

Chipotle already operates a number of restaurants in Cobb county including one on Johnson Ferry Road in an out-parcel of Merchants Walk in East Cobb, as well as locations on Townpark Lane and Ernest Barrett Parkway in Kennesaw. 

Newport Beach, California-based Chipotle Mexican Grill currently operates more than 50 restaurants in Georgia including a newly opened location at the 1010 Midtown condo building on Peachtree Street in Midtown.

ToNeTo Atlanta has previously reported on several other former Pollo Tropicals that have been or will soon be converted into new restaurants.  Arby's converted one in Johns Creek, Chase Bank converted another in Alpharetta while Del Taco converted two in Gainesville and Hiram. We first reported July 2 that Louisville, Kentucky based Joella's Hot Chicken plans to convert former Pollo Tropical restaurants in Cumberland, Kennesaw, Newnan and Woodstock to their hot chicken concept.  In late July, we reported that Del Taco plans to open in place of the former Pollo Tropical in Tucker.  Sources indicate they are also looking at opening in place of former Pollo Tropical restaurants on Buford Drive in Buford and on Duluth Highway in Lawrenceville.   

Have you used "Chipotlane" before?  Are you excited by Chipotle's planned opening in Austell?  What is your favorite quick-serve burrito joint?

Please share your thoughts below  

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Drive thru E-coli ... apparently Chipotle has an app for that! That's grand!

Anonymous said...

Can we get an update on the one in 1010 Midtown? It was supposed to open yesterday.

Anonymous said...

good grief! another Chipotle? why? Totally overrated!

Anonymous said...

finally!! we love chipotle and are so happy to have it come to our neighborhood!

Unknown said...

Love it!

Anonymous said...

So exciting!!!!!! Yay!

Unknown said...

Good food!!

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