Chipotle Mexican Grill is on somewhat unfamiliar ground: a rebound. At least, what seems to be the start of one.
On Thursday, the company reported 3.3 percent increase in second-quarter same-store sales, outpacing the 2.7 percent gain expected by analysts, according to Consensus Metrix. The fast-casual chain was so pleased with the numbers -- aided by increases in digital and delivery orders -- that it raised its forecast for the year: It now expects same-store sales to rise in a low-to-mid single-digit range, up from a prior target of low-digit growth.
Chipotle CMO Chris Brandt, who joined the company in April, told Ad Age that the brand is ready to turn up the marketing.
"I've never been more optimistic about the future of a brand," Brandt said late Thursday.
Its overall marketing mission, he said, "is to be more visible, more familiar and more relevant." Bottom line, Chipotle wants "to be more talked about."
That is, in more positive ways. The chain is still recovering from a pummeling to its reputation after food safety concerns (and hospitalized diners) made headlines in 2015 and beyond, affecting its sales and stock price. But since the spring, when Brandt arrived shortly after CEO Brian Niccol (they had worked together at Taco Bell), things seem to be improving.
Chipotle, Brandt said, will introduce new marketing in September on the heels of months-long consumer research. The campaign will "put a tagline on our brand that I don't think a lot of other brands could or would do," he claimed.
Marketing changes have already been implemented, including new TV spots--which ran in April, May and June--featuring the chain's fresh ingredients and a humorous tone. And Niccol, who bluntly said in April that the chain "has been invisible," said during a conference call Thursday that reactions to the marketing have been positive.
"We wanted to celebrate the food a little bit more, we wanted to have a little bit lighter tone and we wanted to use a little bit of a sense of humor," said Brandt.
The light comedic touch also shows up in some social media posts, like the one below hyping free guacamole for National Avocado Day on July 31 (an offer that also means Chipotle can collect customer data from those who redeem the online-only deal):
Brandt has kept the agencies that were in place when he joined: Venables Bell & Partners on creative, MullenLowe Mediahub on media and Day One Agency on social media.