McDonald's early investment in the burrito chain gave it capital to grow, an inside look at ultra-efficient supply - chain economics, the know - how it needed to manage its expansion from 13 stores in 1998 to almost 500 in 2006.
Though McDonald's $ 50 million investmentin Chipotle back in 1998 may have been instrumental in getting the burrito chain off the ground, Chipotle's founder, Steve Ells, always sought to keep the fast - food giant at a reasonable distance.