Proposed Maple Grove ‘Chipotlane’ Could Be Wave of the Future

The Maple Grove Planning Commission recommended approval Monday night of a plan for a new Chipotle restaurant that would include an order pickup lane — believed to be a first for the city.

Referred to as a “Chipotlane,” the food pickup lane would be reserved for online orders only.

The restaurant would be located in a vacant lot on County Road 101 next to the Hy-Vee grocery store in the southwest part of the city.

“Almost all their new ones include a pickup window,” said John Johannson, one of the development partners on the Chipotle project. “It’s unlike most drive-throughs. We all know that these quick-serve restaurants address consumer choices. Consumer choice is they don’t want to get out of their car.”

Johannson said customers aren’t supposed to enter the pickup lane until they receive a message that their order is ready. Customers can also reserve a pickup time in advance.

“They don’t have long queues in the car,” Johannson told the Maple Grove Planning Commission.

Craig Lamothe, chair of the Maple Grove Planning Commission, said food pickup lanes may be the “wave of the future,” as opposed to typical drive-throughs which result in more car idling, due to cities needing to follow emissions reduction legislation.

Lamothe said legislation approved would requires cities to follow climate mitigation guidelines in their comprehensive plans.

“We may not be allowed to do drive-throughs anymore because we will have climate change goals we will have to meet,” said Lamothe.

The new Chipotle restaurant awaits city council approval. If approved, construction is expected to start next spring with the restaurant possibly opening next fall.

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