Chipotle, a fast-casual restaurant chain based in the United States, has announced that it will close its ghost kitchen concept, Farmesa, just over a year after its launch.
The concept was introduced in February 2023 and operated at partner Kitchen United's Santa Monica, California, store.
Operations ceased after the store closed in February 2024. The struggling Kitchen United was recently acquired by C3 and is now moving away from the ghost kitchen market.
Farmesa, a bowl-centric brand, offered customizable bowls with combinations of proteins, vegetables, grains, and greens.
The brand was developed to reflect a farm-to-table ethos, as suggested by its name, which combines the words “farm” and “mesa,” which means table in Spanish.
The menu included 100% certified organic, all-natural drinks, including Tractor Beverage Co products and sparkling water.
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The menu was developed by chef Nate Appleman, who contributed to Chipotle's menu in the mid-to-late 2000s and served as Farmesa's director of culinary innovation.
Kurt Garner, Chipotle's chief customer and technology officer, said Farmesa will continue to exist within Chipotle's Innovation Lab to test new menu items, but there are no plans for a standalone Farmesa store.
Chipotle CEO Brian Nicol said during the company's recent earnings call that the company's primary focus is on strengthening the Chipotle brand domestically and internationally.
Nicoll said that while he is not ruling out future business, expanding beyond the Chipotle brand is not a priority right now.
The company has been working to improve restaurant efficiency and speed to drive sales growth.
In February 2024, the restaurant chain doubled its contribution to the Cultivate Next venture fund to $100 million.
The goal was to foster partnerships with early-stage companies that align with the company's mission to “Cultivate a Better World” and support its goal of operating 7,000 restaurants in North America.
