Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm42
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014 and 201343
Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 201244
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 201245
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 201246
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements47
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 4, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Denver, Colorado

February 4, 2015

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CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(in thousands, except per share data)

December 31
20142013
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$419,465$323,203
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,199 and $1,190 as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively34,83924,016
Inventory15,33213,044
Current deferred tax asset18,96813,212
Prepaid expenses and other current assets34,79534,204
Income tax receivable16,4883,657
Investments338,592254,971
Total current assets878,479666,307
Leasehold improvements, property and equipment, net1,106,984963,238
Long term investments496,106313,863
Other assets42,77743,933
Goodwill21,93921,939
Total assets$2,546,285$2,009,280
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$69,613$59,022
Accrued payroll and benefits73,89467,195
Accrued liabilities102,20373,011
Total current liabilities245,710199,228
Deferred rent219,414192,739
Deferred income tax liability40,52955,434
Other liabilities28,26323,591
Total liabilities533,916470,992
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 600,000 shares authorized, no shares issued as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively——
Common stock $0.01 par value, 230,000 shares authorized, and 35,394 and 35,245 shares issued as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively354352
Additional paid-in capital1,038,932919,840
Treasury stock, at cost, 4,367 and 4,212 common shares at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively(748,759)(660,421)
Accumulated other comprehensive income(429)1,620
Retained earnings1,722,2711,276,897
Total shareholders’ equity2,012,3691,538,288
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$2,546,285$2,009,280

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)

Years ended December 31
201420132012
Revenue$4,108,269$3,214,591$2,731,224
Restaurant operating costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below):
Food, beverage and packaging1,420,9941,073,514891,003
Labor904,407739,800641,836
Occupancy230,868199,107171,435
Other operating costs434,244347,401286,610
General and administrative expenses273,897203,733183,409
Depreciation and amortization110,47496,05484,130
Pre-opening costs15,60915,51111,909
Loss on disposal of assets6,9766,7515,027
Total operating expenses3,397,4692,681,8712,275,359
Income from operations710,800532,720455,865
Interest and other income (expense), net3,5031,7511,820
Income before income taxes714,303534,471457,685
Provision for income taxes(268,929)(207,033)(179,685)
Net income$445,374$327,438$278,000
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments(2,049)596827
Comprehensive income$443,325$328,034$278,827
Earnings per share:
Basic$14.35$10.58$8.82
Diluted$14.13$10.47$8.75
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic31,03830,95731,513
Diluted31,51231,28131,783

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands)

Common StockAdditional Paid-In CapitalTreasury StockRetained EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Total
SharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance, December 31, 201134,357$344$676,6523,105$(304,426)$671,459$197$1,044,226
Stock-based compensation66,27466,274
Stock plan transactions and other5555476481
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation73,21073,210
Acquisition of treasury stock714(217,092)(217,092)
Net income278,000278,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment827827
Balance, December 31, 201234,912349816,6123,819(521,518)949,4591,0241,245,926
Stock-based compensation64,78164,781
Stock plan transactions and other333397100
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation, net of utilization of $2938,35038,350
Acquisition of treasury stock393(138,903)(138,903)
Net income327,438327,438
Foreign currency translation adjustment596596
Balance, December 31, 201335,245$352$919,8404,212$(660,421)$1,276,897$1,620$1,538,288
Stock-based compensation97,61897,618
Stock plan transactions and other1492(193)(191)
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation21,66721,667
Acquisition of treasury stock155(88,338)(88,338)
Net income445,374445,374
Foreign currency translation adjustment(2,049)(2,049)
Balance, December 31, 201435,394$354$1,038,9324,367$(748,759)$1,722,271$(429)$2,012,369

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

Years ended December 31
201420132012
Operating activities
Net income$445,374$327,438$278,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization110,47496,05484,130
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision(20,671)2,103(18,057)
Loss on disposal of assets6,9766,7515,027
Bad debt allowance9191,046
Stock-based compensation expense96,44063,65764,276
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation(21,667)(38,379)(73,210)
Other104507522
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable(10,966)(7,238)(9,438)
Inventory(2,307)(1,950)(2,180)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(658)(6,806)(5,954)
Other assets1,071(1,354)(20,539)
Accounts payable2,1682,0527,849
Accrued liabilities35,01912,02021,307
Income tax payable/receivable8,83144,33459,357
Deferred rent27,02525,71523,765
Other long-term liabilities4,8453,8574,062
Net cash provided by operating activities682,067528,780419,963
Investing activities
Purchases of leasehold improvements, property and equipment(252,590)(199,926)(197,037)
Purchases of investments(521,004)(387,639)(213,462)
Maturities of investments254,750159,25055,000
Net cash used in investing activities(518,844)(428,315)(355,499)
Financing activities
Acquisition of treasury stock(88,338)(138,903)(217,092)
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation21,66738,37973,210
Stock plan transactions and other financing activities(66)173348
Net cash used in financing activities(66,737)(100,351)(143,534)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(224)536380
Net change in cash and cash equivalents96,262650(78,690)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year323,203322,553401,243
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$419,465$323,203$322,553
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Income taxes paid$280,687$160,973$138,385
Increase in purchases of leasehold improvements, property and equipment accrued in accounts payable and accrued liabilities$9,424$(1,736)$4,455

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollar and share amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)

1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., a Delaware corporation, together with its subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”) develops and operates fast-casual, fresh Mexican food restaurants. As of December 31, 2014, the Company operated 1,755 Chipotle restaurants throughout the United States. The Company also has seven restaurants in Canada, six in England, three in France, and one in Germany. Further, the Company operates nine ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen restaurants, serving fast-casual, Asian inspired cuisine, as well as is an investor in a consolidated entity that owns and operates two Pizzeria Locale restaurants, a fast casual pizza concept. The Company manages its operations based on eight regions and has aggregated its operations to one reportable segment.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, including wholly and majority owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Management Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from restaurant sales is recognized when food and beverage products are sold. The Company reports revenue net of sales and use taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental taxing authorities.

The Company sells gift cards which do not have an expiration date and it does not deduct non-usage fees from outstanding gift card balances. The Company recognizes revenue from gift cards when: (i) the gift card is redeemed by the customer; or (ii) the Company determines the likelihood of the gift card being redeemed by the customer is remote (gift card breakage) and there is not a legal obligation to remit the unredeemed gift cards to the relevant jurisdiction. The determination of the gift card breakage rate is based upon Company-specific historical redemption patterns. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company revised its estimated breakage rate from 5% to 4% of gift card sales which did not have a material impact on revenue. Gift card breakage is recognized in revenue as the gift cards are used on a pro rata basis over a six month period beginning at the date of the gift card sale and is included in revenue in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income. Breakage recognized during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $3,146, $1,976 and $2,070, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investment instruments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable primarily consists of receivables from third party gift card distributors, tenant improvement receivables, payroll-related tax receivables, vendor rebates, and receivables arising from the normal

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course of business. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Company’s existing accounts receivable based on a specific review of account balances. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recoverability is considered remote.

Inventory

Inventory, consisting principally of food, beverages, and supplies, is valued at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or market. Certain key ingredients (beef, pork, chicken, beans, rice, sour cream, cheese, and tortillas) are purchased from a small number of suppliers.

Investments

The Company’s investments consist of U.S. treasury notes and CDARS, certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service, with maturities up to approximately two years and classified as held-to-maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost, which the Company has determined approximates fair value as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Fair market value of U.S. treasury notes is measured on a recurring basis based on Level 1 inputs and fair market value of CDARS is measured on a recurring basis based on Level 2 inputs (level inputs are described below under “Fair Value Measurements”). The Company recognizes impairment charges on its investments in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income when management believes the decline in the fair value of the investment is other-than-temporary. No impairment charges were recognized on the Company’s investments for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Leasehold Improvements, Property and Equipment

Leasehold improvements, property and equipment are recorded at cost. Internal costs directly associated with the acquisition, development and construction of a restaurant are capitalized and were $7,756, $9,024 and $10,038 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Expenditures for major renewals and improvements are capitalized while expenditures for minor replacements, maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term, which generally includes reasonably assured option periods, or the estimated useful lives of the assets. Upon retirement or disposal of assets, the accounts are relieved of cost and accumulated depreciation and the related gain or loss, if any, is reflected in loss on disposal of assets in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income.

At least annually, the Company evaluates, and adjusts when necessary, the estimated useful lives. The changes in estimated useful lives did not have a material impact on depreciation in any period. The estimated useful lives are:

Leasehold improvements and buildings3-20 years
Furniture and fixtures4-7 years
Equipment3-10 years

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets of the business acquired. Goodwill is not subject to amortization, but instead is tested for impairment at least annually, and the Company is required to record any necessary impairment adjustments. Impairment is measured as the excess of the carrying value over the fair value of the goodwill. Based on the Company’s analysis, no impairment charges were recognized on goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

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Other Assets

Other assets consist primarily of restricted cash assets of $19,889 and $23,810 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, a rabbi trust as described further in Note 6, transferable liquor licenses which are carried at the lower of fair value or cost, and rental deposits related to leased properties. Restricted cash assets are primarily insurance related restricted trust assets.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For the purpose of reviewing restaurant assets to be held and used for potential impairment, assets are grouped together at the market level, or in the case of a potential relocation or closure, at the restaurant level. The Company manages its restaurants as a group with significant common costs and promotional activities; as such, an individual restaurant’s cash flows are not generally independent of the cash flows of others in a market. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, an aggregate impairment charge of $0, $1,220 and $0, respectively, was recognized in loss on disposal of assets in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income. The impairment charges resulted primarily from restaurant relocations. Fair value of the restaurants was determined using Level 3 inputs (as described below under “Fair Value Measurements”) based on a discounted cash flows method through the estimated date of closure.

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities at enacted income tax rates for the temporary differences between the financial reporting bases and the tax bases of its assets and liabilities. Any effects of changes in income tax rates or tax laws are included in the provision for income taxes in the period of enactment. The deferred income tax impacts of investment tax credits are recognized as an immediate adjustment to income tax expense. When it is more likely than not that a portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized in the future, the Company provides a corresponding valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset. When it is more likely than not that a position will be sustained upon examination by a tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information, the Company measures the amount of tax benefit from the position and records the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized after settlement with a tax authority. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest to be paid on an underpayment of income taxes in interest expense and any related statutory penalties in the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income.

Restaurant Pre-Opening Costs

Pre-opening costs, including rent, wages, benefits and travel for the training and opening teams, food and other restaurant operating costs, are expensed as incurred prior to a restaurant opening for business.

Insurance Liability

The Company maintains various insurance policies including workers’ compensation, employee health, general liability, automobile, and property damage. Pursuant to these policies, the Company is responsible for losses up to certain limits and is required to estimate a liability that represents the ultimate exposure for aggregate losses below those limits. This liability is based on management’s estimates of the ultimate costs to be incurred to settle known claims and, where applicable, claims not reported as of the balance sheet date. The estimated liability is not discounted and is based on a number of assumptions and factors, including historical trends, actuarial assumptions, and economic conditions. If actual trends differ from the estimates, the financial results could be impacted. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, $25,596 and $24,819, respectively, of the estimated liability was included in accrued payroll and benefits and $8,359 and $6,749, respectively, was included in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

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Advertising and Marketing Costs

Advertising and marketing costs are expensed as incurred and totaled $57,290, $44,389 and $34,999 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Advertising and marketing costs are included in other operating costs in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income.

Rent

Rent expense for the Company’s leases, which generally have escalating rentals over the term of the lease, is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The lease term is the lesser of 20 years inclusive of reasonably assured renewal periods, or the lease term. The lease term begins when the Company has the right to control the use of the property, which is typically before rent payments are due under the lease. The difference between the rent expense and rent paid is recorded as deferred rent in the consolidated balance sheet. Pre-opening rent is included in pre-opening costs in the consolidated income statement. Tenant incentives used to fund leasehold improvements are recorded in deferred rent and amortized as reductions of rent expense over the term of the lease.

Additionally, certain of the Company’s operating leases contain clauses that provide additional contingent rent based on a percentage of sales greater than certain specified target amounts. The Company recognizes contingent rent expense provided the achievement of that target is considered probable.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of their short-term nature.

Fair Value Measurements

Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standard Codification 820, Fair Value of Measurements and Disclosures (“Topic 820”) defines fair value based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which are described below:

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access.

Level 2: Observable inputs other than prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated with observable market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company’s international operations generally use the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect as of the balance sheet date. Income and expense accounts are translated at the average monthly exchange rates during the year. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity.

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Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and investments. Approximately one third of the Company’s cash and investment balances are held at six financial institutions and are not federally backed or federally insured. Credit card transactions at the Company’s restaurants are processed by four service providers, one each for the United States, Canada, and England, and one for France and Germany.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360).” The pronouncement was issued to clarify the reporting for discontinued operations and disclosures for disposals of components of an entity. The pronouncement is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of ASU 2014-08 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The pronouncement was issued to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard and disclosure requirements for U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The pronouncement is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The expected adoption method of ASU 2014-09 is being evaluated by the Company and the adoption is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718).” The pronouncement was issued to clarify the accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The pronouncement is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of ASU 2014-12 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

2. Supplemental Financial Information

Leasehold improvements, property and equipment were as follows:

December 31
20142013
Land$11,062$11,062
Leasehold improvements and buildings1,267,1081,121,260
Furniture and fixtures127,260113,751
Equipment315,230244,562
1,720,6601,490,635
Accumulated depreciation(613,676)(527,397)
$1,106,984$963,238

Accrued liabilities were as follows:

December 31
20142013
Gift card liability$48,105$31,508
Transaction tax payable22,92917,541
Other accrued expenses31,16923,962
$102,203$73,011
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3. Income Taxes

The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

Years ended December 31
201420132012
Current tax:
U.S. Federal$248,219$165,731$166,386
U.S. State41,22539,13631,231
Foreign15663125
289,600204,930197,742
Deferred tax:
U.S. Federal(13,890)5,238(16,024)
U.S. State(6,740)(3,105)(2,013)
Foreign(3,075)(1,330)(1,578)
(23,705)803(19,615)
Valuation allowance3,0341,3001,558
Provision for income taxes$268,929$207,033$179,685

Actual taxes paid for each tax period were less than the current tax expense due to the excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation of $21,667, $38,379, and $73,210 during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

The effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rates as follows:

Years ended December 31
201420132012
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate35.0%35.0%35.0%
State income tax, net of related federal income tax benefit3.74.24.1
Other(1.1)(0.5)0.2
Effective income tax rates37.6%38.7%39.3%

The 2014 tax rate decreased due to a decrease in the state tax rate and filing the 2013 tax returns, which included a change in the estimate of usable employer credits.

In January 2013, the United States Congress authorized, and the President signed into law, certain federal tax credits that were reflected in the Company’s U.S. tax return for 2012; however, since this law was enacted in 2013, the financial statement benefit of such credits were reflected in 2013. The lack of availability of such credits caused the 2012 effective tax rate to be approximately 0.7% higher than it would have been had the credits been approved in 2012. Recognizing the 2012 credits during 2013 benefited the 2013 rate by 0.6%.

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Deferred income tax liabilities are taxes the Company expects to pay in future periods. Similarly, deferred income tax assets are recorded for expected reductions in taxes payable in future periods. Deferred income taxes arise because of the differences in the book and tax bases of certain assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax liabilities and assets consist of the following:

December 31
20142013
Long-term deferred income tax liability:
Leasehold improvements, property and equipment$175,808$156,746
Goodwill and other assets1,5191,346
Other2,6891,591
Total long-term deferred income tax liability180,016159,683
Long-term deferred income tax asset:
Deferred rent52,14747,127
Gift card liability1,451876
Capitalized transaction costs503506
Stock-based compensation and other employee benefits79,81053,622
Foreign net operating loss carry-forwards8,6185,598
State credits4,2811,300
Other145—
Valuation allowance(7,468)(4,780)
Total long-term deferred income tax asset139,487104,249
Net long-term deferred income tax liability40,52955,434
Current deferred income tax liability:
Prepaid assets and other3,4022,970
Total current deferred income tax liability3,4022,970
Current deferred income tax asset:
Allowances, reserves and other14,51111,973
Other employee benefits7,9034,267
Valuation allowance(44)(58)
Total current deferred income tax asset22,37016,182
Net current deferred income tax asset18,96813,212
Total deferred income tax liability$21,561$42,222

The Company recorded a gross increase in unrecognized tax benefits of $1,342 as the result of tax positions taken during the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.

The Company is open to federal and state tax audits until the applicable statutes of limitations expire. Tax audits by their very nature are often complex and can require several years to complete. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal tax examinations by tax authorities for tax years before 2011. For the majority of states where the Company has a significant presence, it is no longer subject to tax examinations by tax authorities for tax years before 2011. Some of the Company’s foreign net operating losses begin expiring in 2015.

Deferred U.S. income taxes have not been recorded for temporary differences related to investments in certain foreign subsidiaries. These temporary differences consisted primarily of undistributed earnings considered permanently invested in operations outside the U.S. Determination of the deferred income tax liability on these unremitted earnings is not practicable because such liability, if any, is dependent on circumstances existing if and when remittance occurs.

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4. Shareholders’ Equity

Through December 31, 2014, the Company announced authorizations by its Board of Directors of the expenditure of up to $800,000 to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock. On February 3, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the expenditure of up to an additional $100,000 to repurchase shares of common stock. Under the remaining repurchase authorization, shares may be purchased from time to time in open market transactions, subject to market conditions.

On November 20, 2012 the Company entered into a privately negotiated accelerated share repurchase transaction (“ASR”) to repurchase $25,000 of its common stock. The Company advanced $25,000 on November 20, 2012 and received 65 shares, which represented 70% of the total number of shares to be repurchased calculated using the closing price on November 20, 2012. The agreement was settled in February 2013, and the Company received an additional 22 shares, resulting in a weighted-average price per share of $287.20 for the ASR.

The shares of common stock repurchased under authorized programs, including the ASR, were 154, 336 and 686 for a total cost of $87,996, $109,987 and $206,394 during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, $102,210 was available to be repurchased under the authorized programs. The shares repurchased are being held in treasury until such time as they are reissued or retired, at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

During 2014, 2013, and 2012, shares of common stock were netted and surrendered as payment for minimum statutory tax withholding obligations in connection with the exercise and vesting of outstanding stock awards. Shares surrendered by the participants in accordance with the applicable award agreements and plan are deemed repurchased by the Company but are not part of publicly announced share repurchase programs. For the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company’s repurchases in connection with such netting and surrender totaled 1, 57, and 28 shares for a total cost of $342, $28,916, and $10,698, respectively.

5. Stock Based Compensation

The Company issues shares pursuant to the Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Incentive Plan”). Shares issued pursuant to awards granted prior to the 2011 Incentive Plan were issued subject to previous stock plans. For purposes of counting the shares remaining available under the 2011 Incentive Plan, each share issuable pursuant to outstanding full value awards, such as restricted stock units and performance shares, will count as two shares used, whereas each share underlying a stock appreciation right or stock option will count as one share used. Under the 2011 Incentive Plan, 3,360 shares of common stock have been authorized and reserved for issuances to eligible employees, of which 1,288 represent shares that were authorized for issuance but not issued at December 31, 2014. The 2011 Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which has the authority to select the individuals to whom awards will be granted or to delegate its authority under the plan to the Company’s executive officers to make grants to non-executive officer level employees, to determine the type of awards and when the awards are to be granted, the number of shares to be covered by each award, the vesting schedule and all other terms and conditions of the awards. The exercise price for stock awards granted under the 2011 Incentive Plan cannot be less than fair market value at the date of grant.

The Company granted stock options prior to 2008, and has granted stock only stock appreciation rights (“SOSARs”) since that time. SOSARs generally vest equally over two and three years and expire after seven years. Stock-based compensation expense is generally recognized on a straight-line basis for each separate vesting portion. Compensation expense related to employees eligible to retire and retain full rights to the awards is recognized over six months which coincides with the notice period. Compensation expense on performance shares, which is based on the quantity of awards the Company has determined are probable of vesting, is recognized over the longer of the estimated performance goal attainment period or time vesting period. Stock-based compensation expense, including SOSARs and stock awards, was $97,618 ($60,084 net of tax) in 2014, $64,781 ($39,465 net of tax) in 2013 and $66,274 ($40,361 net of tax) in 2012. For the years ended

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December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, $1,178, $1,124 and $1,998, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense was recognized as capitalized development and is included in leasehold improvements, property and equipment in the consolidated balance sheet.

The tables below summarize the option and SOSAR activity under the stock incentive plans (in thousands, except years and per share data):

201420132012
SharesWeighted-Average Exercise Price Per ShareSharesWeighted-Average Exercise Price Per ShareSharesWeighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share
Outstanding, beginning of year1,690$312.441,449$274.921,486$157.07
Granted764$545.66672$320.21617$371.70
Exercised(315)$310.32(369)$176.23(592)$80.31
Forfeited(52)$419.74(62)$329.76(62)$274.25
Outstanding, end of year2,087$395.461,690$312.441,449$274.92
SharesWeighted-Average Exercise Price Per ShareWeighted- Average Remaining Years of Contractual LifeAggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 20142,087$395.464.9$603,356
Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 20142,039$393.064.9$594,198
Exercisable as of December 31, 2014482$271.383.2$199,045

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the company granted SOSARs that include performance conditions, in amounts totaling 220, 191, and 191 shares, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, 656 SOSARs that include performance conditions were outstanding, of which 341 awards had met the performance conditions. In addition to time vesting described above, the shares vest upon achieving a targeted cumulative cash flow from operations. The total intrinsic value of options and SOSARs exercised during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $88,245, $91,178 and $183,097. Unearned compensation as of December 31, 2014 was $43,757 for SOSAR awards, and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.

A summary of non-vested stock award activity under the stock incentive plans is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

201420132012
SharesGrant Date Fair Value Per ShareSharesGrant Date Fair Value Per ShareSharesGrant Date Fair Value Per Share
Outstanding, beginning of year71$520.27120$218.34207$153.40
Granted2$495.9268$527.451$401.56
Vested(2)$284.11(117)$215.76(83)$55.92
Forfeited(1)$410.55—$—(5)$267.23
Outstanding, end of year70$525.6071$520.27120$218.34

At December 31, 2014, 66 of the outstanding non-vested stock awards were subject to both service and performance vesting conditions. The quantity of shares that ultimately vest is determined based on the cumulative cash flow from operations reached during the three year period ending on September 30, 2016. If the cumulative cash flow from operations during the three year period does not reach a specified level, no shares will vest. Unearned compensation as of December 31, 2014 was $22,396 for non-vested stock awards the Company has determined are probable of vesting, and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years. The fair value of shares earned as of the vesting date during the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $783, $58,941, and $31,309, respectively.

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The following table reflects the average assumptions utilized in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to value SOSAR awards granted for each year:

201420132012
Risk-free interest rate0.8%0.5%0.4%
Expected life (years)3.43.43.4
Expected dividend yield0.0%0.0%0.0%
Volatility33.3%35.4%39.1%
Weighted-average Black-Scholes fair value per share at date of grant$136.18$82.51$104.97

The Company has not paid dividends to date and does not plan to pay dividends in the near future. The risk-free interest rate is based upon U.S. Treasury rates for instruments with similar terms. The volatility assumption was based on our historical data and implied volatility, and the expected life assumptions were based on our historical data.

6. Employee Benefit Plans

The Company maintains the Chipotle Mexican Grill 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”). The Company matches 100% of the first 3% of pay contributed by each eligible employee and 50% on the next 2% of pay contributed. Employees become eligible to receive matching contributions after one year of service with the Company. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, Company matching contributions totaled approximately $3,881, $2,644 and $2,431, respectively.

In 2012, the Company began offering an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”). Under the ESPP, 250 shares of common stock have been authorized and reserved for issuances to eligible employees, of which 248 represent shares that were authorized for issuance but not issued at December 31, 2014. Employees become eligible to contribute after one year of service with the Company and may contribute up to 15% of their base earnings, subject to an annual maximum dollar amount, toward the monthly purchase of the Company’s common stock. For each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the number of shares issued under the ESPP were less than 1.

The Company also maintains the Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Supplemental Deferred Investment Plan (the “Deferred Plan”) which covers eligible employees of the Company. The Deferred Plan is a non-qualified plan that allows participants to make tax-deferred contributions that cannot be made under the 401(k) Plan because of Internal Revenue Service limitations. Participants’ earnings on contributions made to the Deferred Plan fluctuate with the actual earnings and losses of a variety of available investment choices selected by the participant. Total liabilities under the Deferred Plan as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $16,147 and $13,397, respectively, and are included in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company matches 100% of the first 3% of pay contributed by each eligible employee and 50% on the next 2% of pay contributed once the 401(k) contribution limits are reached. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the Company made deferred compensation matches of $536, $201 and $213 respectively, to the Deferred Plan.

The Company has elected to fund its deferred compensation obligations through a rabbi trust. The rabbi trust is subject to creditor claims in the event of insolvency, but the assets held in the rabbi trust are not available for general corporate purposes. Amounts in the rabbi trust are invested in mutual funds, as selected by participants, which are designated as trading securities and carried at fair value, and are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Fair value of mutual funds is measured using Level 1 inputs (quoted prices for identical assets in active markets), and the fair values of the investments in the rabbi trust were $16,147 and $13,397 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company records trading gains and losses in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income, along with the offsetting amount related to the increase or decrease in deferred compensation to reflect its exposure of the Deferred Plan liability. The Company recorded $184, $722, and $240 of unrealized gains on investments held in the rabbi trust during the years ended 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

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7. Leases

The Company generally operates its restaurants in leased premises. Lease terms for traditional shopping center or building leases generally include combined initial and option terms of 20-25 years. Ground leases generally include combined initial and option terms of 30-40 years. The option terms in each of these leases are typically in five-year increments. Typically, the lease includes rent escalation terms every five years including fixed rent escalations, escalations based on inflation indexes, and fair market value adjustments. Certain leases contain contingent rental provisions based upon the sales of the underlying restaurants. The leases generally provide for the payment of common area maintenance, property taxes, insurance and various other use and occupancy costs by the Company. In addition, the Company is the lessee under non-cancelable leases covering certain offices.

Future minimum lease payments required under existing operating leases as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:

2015$206,413
2016208,326
2017209,012
2018211,754
2019211,833
Thereafter1,996,859
Total minimum lease payments$3,044,197

Minimum lease payments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $6,610 due in the future under non-cancelable subleases.

Rental expense consists of the following:

For the years ended December 31
201420132012
Minimum rentals$200,575$178,395$152,935
Contingent rentals$4,616$2,719$1,917
Sublease rental income$(1,838)$(1,726)$(1,623)

The Company has six sales and leaseback transactions. These transactions do not qualify for sale leaseback accounting because of the Company’s deemed continuing involvement with the buyer-lessor due to fixed price renewal options, which results in the transaction being recorded under the financing method. Under the financing method, the assets remain on the consolidated balance sheet and the proceeds from the transactions are recorded as a financing liability. A portion of lease payments are applied as payments of deemed principal and imputed interest. The deemed landlord financing liability was $3,233 and $3,386 as of December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively, with the current portion of the liability included in accrued liabilities, and the remaining portion included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

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8. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share (“diluted EPS”) is calculated using income available to common shareholders divided by diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Potentially dilutive securities include shares of common stock underlying stock options, SOSARs and non-vested stock awards (collectively “stock awards”). Diluted EPS considers the impact of potentially dilutive securities except in periods in which there is a loss because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have an anti-dilutive effect. Stock awards of 232, 393 and 360 were excluded from the calculation of 2014, 2013 and 2012 diluted EPS, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive. In addition, 385, 381 and 449 stock awards subject to performance conditions were excluded from the 2014, 2013 and 2012 calculations of diluted EPS, respectively. The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share:

Years ended December 31
201420132012
Net income$445,374$327,438$278,000
Shares:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding31,03830,95731,513
Dilutive stock awards474324270
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding31,51231,28131,783
Basic earnings per share$14.35$10.58$8.82
Diluted earnings per share$14.13$10.47$8.75

9. Commitments and Contingencies

Purchase Obligations

The Company enters into various purchase obligations in the ordinary course of business, generally of short term nature. Those that are binding primarily relate to commitments for food purchases and supplies, amounts owed under contractor and subcontractor agreements, orders submitted for equipment for restaurants under construction, and marketing initiatives and corporate sponsorships.

Litigation

Notices of Inspection of Work Authorization Documents and Related Civil and Criminal Investigations

Following an inspection during 2010 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, of the work authorization documents of the Company’s restaurant employees in Minnesota, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement arm of DHS, or ICE, issued to the Company a Notice of Suspect Documents identifying a large number of employees who, according to ICE and notwithstanding the Company’s review of work authorization documents for each employee at the time they were hired, appeared not to be authorized to work in the U.S. The Company approached each of the named employees to explain ICE’s determination and afforded each employee an opportunity to confirm the validity of their original work eligibility documents, or provide valid work eligibility documents. Employees who were unable to provide valid work eligibility documents were terminated in accordance with the law. In December 2010, the Company was also requested by DHS to provide the work authorization documents of restaurant employees in the District of Columbia and Virginia, and the Company provided the requested documents in January 2011. The Company subsequently received requests from the office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia for work authorization documents covering all of the Company’s employees since 2007, plus employee lists and other documents concerning work authorization. The Company believes its practices with regard to the work authorization of its employees, including the review and

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retention of work authorization documents, are in compliance with applicable law. However, the termination of large numbers of employees in a short period of time does disrupt restaurant operations and results in a temporary increase in labor costs as new employees are trained.

In May 2012, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission notified the Company that it is conducting a civil investigation of the Company’s compliance with employee work authorization verification requirements and its related disclosures and statements, and the office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia advised the Company that its investigation has broadened to include a parallel criminal and civil investigation of the Company’s compliance with federal securities laws. The Company intends to continue to fully cooperate in the government’s investigations. It is not possible at this time to determine whether the Company will incur, or to reasonably estimate the amount of, any fines, penalties or further liabilities in connection with these matters.

Miscellaneous

The Company is involved in various other claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources. However, a significant increase in the number of these claims, or one or more successful claims under which the Company incurs greater liabilities than the Company currently anticipates, could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

10. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Summarized unaudited quarterly financial data:

2014
March 31June 30September 30December 31
Revenue$904,163$1,050,073$1,084,222$1,069,811
Operating income$135,650$179,842$207,436$187,872
Net income$83,069$110,270$130,801$121,234
Basic earnings per share$2.67$3.55$4.22$3.91
Diluted earnings per share$2.64$3.50$4.15$3.84
2013
March 31June 30September 30December 31
Revenue$726,751$816,786$826,907$844,147
Operating income$120,044$146,418$137,154$129,104
Net income$76,584$87,853$83,379$79,622
Basic earnings per share$2.47$2.84$2.70$2.57
Diluted earnings per share$2.45$2.82$2.66$2.53
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