Parkchester has a new Chipotle restaurant just off the 6 train — but what makes it notable are the things customers don’t see.
The new restaurant, which opened Tuesday at 31 Hugh J. Grant Circle, is the 15th Chipotle to open in the Bronx but is the first in the borough to be all electric-powered—swapping out gas-powered systems in favor of more efficient appliances, exhaust hoods and water heaters.
The opening of the Parkchester location is part of the company’s nationwide expansion. Chipotle, which has approximately 3,400 restaurants across the U.S., plans to open about 300 new locations countrywide in 2024, according to a spokesperson. And according to information from the company, at least 100 of the new stores will use electric appliances plus at least some elements of the all-electric design. Certain locations will even feature solar panels and charging stations for electric vehicles.
The company says it only makes sense for its physical design to match its ethos of “working with — not against — nature,” said Chief Marketing Officer Chris Brandt in a 2023 statement announcing the design rollout.
The company has set a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030, compared to 2019 levels. To accomplish this, Chipotle plans to continue the rollout of its “responsible restaurant design” while using more locally sourced produce, developing more meatless options and using standardized energy management systems in all locations, among other strategies.
“With our aggressive development goal in North America, we hold ourselves accountable to reduce the environmental impact of our restaurants,” said Laurie Schalow, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer.
The new Parkchester location is open daily from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
