Why Chipotle Suddenly Wants to Hire 4,000 New Employees

Chipotle (CMG) will hold a national hiring day on Sept. 9 at all of its U.S. based Chipotle restaurants. The goal is to secure about 4,000 new employees to help serve up extra-large burritos and run its growing number of restaurants. But, here are the finer details as to why Chipotle is going on its one-day hiring spree. First, Chipotle simply needs people to staff its new U.S. restaurants. Chipotle plans to open more than 200 restaurants in 2015, including several openings of its new Asian fare concept Shophouse and better-for-you pizza brand Pizzeria Locale. To fuel its growth plans, which likely includes a faster pace of ShopHouse and Pizzeria Locale openings in 2016 than in 2015, Chipotle must start to train people this year at restaurants already in operation. Second, Chipotle wants to make its lines even speedier. Chipotle has some of the fastest lines in the fast food business thanks to its simple menu, conveyor-belt ordering process and attentive employees. Those fast lines have helped feed Chipotle's sales. And finally, Chipotle needs workers to support its international growth. Right after the end of the second quarter, Chipotle opened its seventh location in the U.K. Further, Canada is now being eyed as an expansion opportunity after the company has gained considerable traction in the country. TheStreet's Brian Sozzi reports from New York.