Feb 19 (Reuters) - Chipotle Mexican Grill ( CMG ) will

hire 20,000 additional employees for the period of March to May

as the company gears up to cater to a surge in demand for its

so-called "burrito season" during spring.

Demand for Chipotle's premium burritos and bowls has

been stable, even as value-seeking diners have tempered their

spending on fast food amid inflation and lack of wage growth.

The company, which operates over 3,700 restaurants in the

U.S., had last year hired 19,000 additional workers, both

full-time and part-time, to deal with increased footfall in its

busiest period of the year.

Chipotle's revenue rose 18.2% in the second quarter of last

year, helped by the return of its popular burrito bowl Chicken

Al Pastor, as well as from consumers dining at its stores in the

warmer months.

However, the company has taken a tempered view on annual

sales this year as President Donald Trump's tariffs on imports

threaten to fuel inflation in the country, which could hit

demand for dining out.