Chipotle is opening new drive-thru in the Sacramento area. Here’s where and how it works

The Sacramento area is getting a new Chipotle — and this one has a drive-thru lane.

The fast-casual Mexican food chain will bring its customizable bowls and burritos to a new location at Anatolia Marketplace shopping center in Rancho Cordova next month, according to a news release from Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors.

The California-based real estate company “arranged the pre-sale of a new property leased to Chipotle” with a drive-through for more than $4.3 million after less than a month of marketing, the release said, and multiple offers.

Chiptole drive-thru lanes, dubbed “Chiptolanes,” are pick-up lanes that allow customers to collect their digitally placed orders without leaving their cars.

Bill Asher, Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors executive vice president, said Chipotle recognized that the Anatolia Marketplace shopping center is on the “path of growth” and “wanted to be here.”

In May, Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors arranged the sale of a new 5,900-square-foot retail pad building at the shopping center featuring Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Cold Stone Creamery, Jamba and Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop locations.

When does new Chipotle drive-thru open in Rancho Cordova?

Chipotle will move into a 2,325-square-foot building at 4001 Sunrise Blvd. that’s near the intersection of Sunrise Boulevard and Douglas Road.

The new restaurant appears to not have an official opening date.

In a phone interview with The Sacramento Bee on Tuesday morning, Asher said the site is slated to open sometime early next month but did not confirm an exact opening date.

Chipotle spokeswoman Sally Murphy told The Bee via email Tuesday morning that the company plans to open the site “at some point” in September, but didn’t go into details.

What’s on the menu at Mexican food restaurant?

Chipotle’s menu features bowls, burritos, quesadillas, salads and tacos with topping options ranging from chicken, steak and carnitas to black beans, brown rice and fresh tomato salsa.

Tortilla chips, guacamole and drinks such as lemonade and sodas are also available.

What is a Chipotlane? How does it work?

Described as a “key growth strategy for the brand,” Chipotlanes operate differently than traditional drive-thru lanes.

There’s “no dining room access for guests or a front line,” Chipotle explained when introducing its first Chipotlane in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, in 2021. “Guests and delivery drivers can collect their digital orders through the Chipotlane drive-thru or walk-up window.”

An outdoor patio offers a place for customers to enjoy their meals.

Murphy described the lanes as a “fast and convenient” option for customers that increases the company’s new restaurant sales, margins and returns.

“We are building a real estate pipeline that will allow us to accelerate new unit growth to be in the range of 8% to 10% per year, with the majority of new restaurants featuring a Chipotlane,” she said.

Where are locations in Sacramento area?

There are at least five Chipotle locations with drive-thrus in the Sacramento region, Murphy said. They are:

▪ 1980 Blue Oaks Blvd., Roseville

▪ 3302 Arden Way, Arden Arcade

▪ 6981 Douglas Blvd., Granite Bay

▪ 2650 Arena Blvd., Natomas Crossing

▪ 7450 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove

This story was originally published August 20, 2024 at 1:38 PM.