Chipotle CEO: No Price Increase to Cover Food Safety Costs

SEATTLE (AP) — Chipotle will not raise prices to cover the cost of new food safety procedures.

That's according to the company's founder and CEO, who was in Seattle on Tuesday to talk to employees about the new safety rules.

Steve Ells would not give a cost for the new testing along its supply chain and safety protocols inside its restaurants. But he said neither customers nor the suppliers would be paying the cost of the new safety rules. That was something Chipotle would be covering.

Ells says suppliers who are unwilling to meet the new "high resolution testing" requirements will no longer do business with Chipotle.

Ells says the company's approach to food safety is similar to its focus on food quality.

Chipotle is a chain of more than 1,900 casual Mexican-style restaurants.