When Chipotle chose Newport Beach for its new headquarters location in 2018, the organization wanted to drive sustainable growth, transform culture and better position itself to draw top talent.

“Newport Beach is an unbelievable place for relocating talent because everyone wants to live and work in this beautiful coastal location. The quality of life is exceptional,” says Shelly Grange, Chipotle’s director of talent acquisition. 

The office at 610 Newport Center Drive puts Chipotle in good company with other major brands as well as top financial and legal firms, all of which are fueling the local economy with steady job growth.

“The talent pool is stellar here with many strong schools nearby, including UC Irvine, for early career program partnerships, as well as a lot of restaurant companies,” says Grange. 

Newport Beach also puts the corporate team five minutes from its Cultivate Center test kitchen in UCI Research Park and close to a number of nearby Chipotle restaurants.

“It’s really important that we spend time in our restaurants to understand what is happening on the ground,” Grange says. “It’s easy for our restaurant support center team to have regular communication with our field operators.” 

Newport Beach plays a powerful role in supporting Chipotle’s employer brand, which is grounded in collaboration, innovation and togetherness.

“We have a really supportive culture where we create moments throughout the day of being together. We call it spontaneous interactions,” Grange says. “Those are really, really important. Fun is infused in our culture, and strategic thinking and increased productivity results from our cross-functional teams joining forces daily.”

From catered Chipotle Mondays to employee resource group events in the cafeteria to outdoor celebrations like a 30-year anniversary party, the Chipotle culture relies on having space that people love to be in, complemented by productivity-enhancing conveniences. 

“Irvine Company has been a great partner by creating a space for our Newport Beach-based employees to effectively work,” says Sabrina Mellinger, Chipotle’s director of office services. “They continually provide outstanding perks and access to on-site amenities.”

“Everyone wants to live and work in this beautiful coastal location. The quality of life is exceptional.”

Chipotle Director of Talent Acquisition Shelly Grange

The team frequently works and dines outside together, taking advantage of the short walk to Fashion Island and the Wild Strawberry Cafe on site, as well as the KINETIC fitness center and multiple conference centers. 

“For talent acquisition and employee experience, being here in Newport Beach is a huge win,” Grange says.