Chipotle might be launching a burger chain

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Chipotle is considering launching a burger chain.

The company filed a trademark application for the phrase "Better Burger" this month, Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold told Business Insider. Bloomberg's Leslie Patton was the first to report on the application.

"We have two non-Chipotle growth seeds open now ― ShopHouse and Pizzeria Locale ― and have noted before that the Chipotle model could be applied to a wide variety of foods," Arnold told Business Insider.

The "Chipotle model" refers to the chain's highly customizable menu and counter service.

A Chipotle-funded "Better Burger" chain would likely look and function a lot like a Chipotle, but serve burgers and fries instead of burritos and tacos.

The chain would probably compete with other higher-end burger chains such Shake Shack and Five Guys.

Chipotle could be considering a new chain to try and recoup losses from its namesake brand.

The company's sales have plunged over the last several months following E. coli outbreaks that affected restaurants in 14 states.

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