Tampa Bay Chipotles Face 1-Day Shutdown

CLEARWATER, FL — Tampa Bay area Chipotle fans may want to put Feb. 8 on their calendars as a day to eat elsewhere.

That’s the date the national chain has announced it is shutting down locations across the country to stage staff meetings about food safety, Fox News reported.

Chipotle, which prides itself on taking fast-food to a new level, had a rocky 2015 that saw profits and stock prices plummet in the face of several foodborne illness outbreaks. The problems began when 64 of the chain’s customers in Minnesota got sick with Salmonella in August and continued to compound as the year continued with subsequent E. coli and norovirus outbreaks associated with Chipotle food.

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• Chipotle Faces Criminal Investigation After Virus Outbreak

Problems for the chain have carried into 2016 with news breaking that Chipotle faces a criminal investigation in California. In the face of all the controversy, Chipotle has projected an estimated 8 percent decline in fourth quarter sales. The financial report, CNN Money noted, isn’t due for release until Feb. 2.

Steve Ellis, the company’s founder and CEO, has posted an open letter to customers on the chain’s website. The letter outlines the restaurant’s “comprehensive food safety plan” vows that all steps are being taken to ensure customer safety.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to apologize on behalf of all of us at Chipotle, and to thank our loyal customers who have stood by us through this difficult time,” Ellis wrote.

Chipotle has locations throughout the Tampa Bay area. It is unclear if the Feb. 8 closings will last for only a few hours or the entire day.

Image: Chipotle