The guacamole drought loomed after Think Progress, a left-leaning website, picked up a statement Chipotle made in a quarterly filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission in January.
"Increasing weather volatility or other long-term changes in global weather patterns, including any changes associated with global climate change, could have a significant impact on the price or availability of some of our ingredients. Any increase in the prices of the ingredients most critical to our menu, such as chicken, beef, cheese, avocados, beans, rice, tomatoes and pork, would adversely affect our operating results. Alternatively, in the event of cost increases with respect to one or more of our raw ingredients, we may choose to temporarily suspend serving menu items, such as guacamole or one or more of our salsas, rather than paying the increased cost for the ingredients," the company said.
Arnold said the company is required to report any factors that could potentially impact its business. In 2011, he said, avocado prices rose because of weather-related problems -- but the guacamole continued to flow.
