<?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>0002040509</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Rymer Adam T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>610 NEWPORT CTR DR, SUITE 1100</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEWPORT BEACH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92660</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Chief Financial Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>common  stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>81497</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>2021 SOSARs</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>29.591</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2023-02-04</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2028-02-04</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25450</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <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>29850</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>29000</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>20750</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes a retention award of restricted stock units (RSUs) for 56,128 shares granted on August 22, 2024 that will vest one-third on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date. Also includes a promotion RSU for 13,119 shares granted on October 1, 2024 that will vest vest 50% on the second anniversary of the grant date and 50% on the third anniversary of the grant date.  Both RSUs are subject to the reporting person's continued employment with the Company and are 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 continued employment with the Company and 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>
