Chipotle was founded in 1993 and focuses on using high quality, fresh ingredients for its Mexican-inspired menu items like burritos, tacos, and bowls. The document discusses Chipotle's growth over the years from 8 locations in 1996 to over 2,250 restaurants in the U.S. alone by 2016, making it one of the most popular fast casual restaurant chains. McDonald's was an early investor in Chipotle but withdrew in 2006 when Chipotle went public, and the chain has continued expanding its "Food with Integrity" philosophy across the U.S. and internationally.