<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2024-10-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001058090</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CMG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0002040500</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>McConnell Jamie</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>610 NEWPORT CTR DRIVE, SUITE 1100</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEWPORT BEACH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92660</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Chief Accountg &amp; Admin Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>common  stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>28064</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>2022 SOSAR</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>31.56</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2024-02-10</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2029-02-10</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>common  stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>24900</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>2023 SOSAR</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>32.1382</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2025-02-09</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2030-02-09</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>common  stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>24400</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>2024 SOSAR</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>52.767</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2026-02-09</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2031-02-09</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>common  stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>18550</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents a retention award of restricted stock units granted on August 22, 2024 that will vest one-third on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date, subject to the reporting person's continued employment with the Company and subject to possible acceleration of vesting.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The stock appreciation right (SOSAR) vests in equal amounts on the second and third anniversaries of the grant date, subject to the reporting person's continued employment with the Company and subject to possible acceleration of vesting. Upon exercise, the SOSAR settles in common stock on a 1-to-1 basis.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Helen Kaminski, pursuant to power of attorney filed herewith</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2024-10-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
