Income Taxes (Schedule Of Deferred Income Tax Liabilities And Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Leasehold improvements, property and equipment	$ 298,225	$ 162,291
Goodwill and other assets	1,628	1,537
Prepaid assets and other	(350)	1,290
Operating lease asset	752,864	686,333
Total deferred income tax liability	1,052,367	851,451
Gift card liability	3,849	6,185
Capitalized transaction costs	324	323
Stock-based compensation and other employee benefits	34,709	41,270
Foreign net operating loss carry-forwards	21,598	13,796
State credits	4,452	4,170
Operating lease liabilities	812,699	741,120
Allowances, reserves and other	25,981	22,973
State net operating loss carry-forwards	22,482
Valuation allowance	(23,149)	(16,200)
Total deferred income tax asset	902,945	813,637
Deferred income tax liabilities	$ 149,422	$ 37,814

Deferred Tax Assets, Lease Liability

No definition available.

Name:	cmg_DeferredTaxAssetsLeaseLiability
Namespace Prefix:	cmg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cumulative amount of the estimated future tax effects attributable to the difference between the tax basis of transaction costs and the basis of transaction costs computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The difference in basis, whether due to amortization or other reasons, will decrease future taxable income when such difference reverses.

+ References

No definition available.