¶ … company's code of conduct that are of significant importance to the business, and explain why. Chipotle is by a far a leader in its division and a leader among all fast-food restaurants in general. Chipotle is truly unlike any other Mexican restaurant in its category. Other Mexican restaurants like Taco Bell and Del Taco use extremely processed ingredients that are known for having lots of fillers and preservatives. The food is known to be high in fat, cholesterol, and trans fats. Furthermore, other fast-food Mexican restaurants engage in the standard practice of having the food prepared in the back of the restaurant, away from the gaze of the customer. Chipotle is different in the respect that they prepare the food right in front of the customer, so that the customer sees exactly what they're getting. Chipotle also prides itself on using the freshest possible ingredients and putting a healthier spin on Mexican food. In that regard, Chipotle is a leader not only in their category, but in fast food in general. This aspect puts added pressure on the company to ascribe to a higher code of conduct so that they are forced to act like a leader not just in product, but in service and in deed as well.

One of the major aspects about this code of conduct is the fact that Chipotle treats their employees like the well-rounded, thinking individuals that they are. "You are expected...

Chipotle requires that the transactions you participate in are ethical and within the law, both in letter and in spirit" (chipotle.com, 2013). All team members must know that if they're ever in doubt regarding what to do, they can always draw upon the help and guidance of their team leader or manager.
Another key element of this code of conduct falls under the umbrella of the importance of confidentiality. Part of the reason that Chipotle has such a major competitive edge in its industry is because it has the advantage of originality. In order for it to maintain that competitive edge, it has to maintain that high level of originality by guarding its secrets extremely closely. Thus, the code of conduct requires that all employees do the same as well. Employees need to understand that as team members they're under the same obligation to keep the secrets of the company incredibly private. The same goes for the aspects of the company protocol, which aren't "secret" but which shouldn't be revealed to others: the Chipotle processes and philosophy also need to be kept in confidence as well. Thus, the Chipotle Code of Conduct specifies that employees "…may not use proprietary or confidential information…