At least one employee at closed Chipotle had norovirus, official says

Chipotle has been the brunt of jokes and hit by lawsuits, but some experts are predicting positive growth figures as early as the end of the year. (AP)

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc which is trying to recover from a series of food-borne illness outbreaks, temporarily shut a Massachusetts restaurant after four employees fell sick.

The director of the Board of Health in Billerica, Mass., said Wednesday that one employee had a confirmed case of norovirus.

The director, Richard Berube, also said that two more employees at the closed restaurant may have norovirus.

Berube said the restaurant, located outside Boston, has been cleaned and is expected to reopen Thursday.

"No customer illnesses are connected to this restaurant," company spokesman Chris Arnold said by email. "Any employee who reported feeling ill will be held out of the restaurant until they fully recover."

Chipotle is trying to repair its reputation after suffering several food-related illnesses, including two E.Coli outbreaks that sickened about 50 people in 14 states and two separate norovirus outbreaks in Massachusetts and California.

Reuters contributed to this report.