Chipotle, which operates more than 500 restaurants, expects toopen new locations at an accelerated pace toward the end of theyear to reach its previously stated goal, company officials saidduring a conference call with financial analysts on Monday. Thecompany has said that it will open between 80 and 90 new locationsthis year.

Chipotle opened 14 company-owned restaurants during the secondquarter, including 12 restaurants in existing markets and two innew markets. The company has opened 29 company-owned restaurantsfor the first six months of the year, including 24 restaurants inexisting markets and five restaurants in two new markets.

Besides opening new stores, the chain is working on new designsto create "stores that will allow us to accommodate a highercustomer volume and that are more efficient from an energystandpoint," Chipotle CEO Steve Ells commented during theconference call. Ells noted that Chipotle has been deliveringdouble-digit comparable store sales for eight years.