Chipotle Mexican Grill has reached a significant milestone by opening its 1,000th “Chipotlane,” a restaurant featuring a drive-thru for digital orders. This new location is situated in the Kansas City metro area and marks a key development in Chipotle’s expansion strategy. Currently, nearly 30% of Chipotle’s more than 3,600 restaurants include a Chipotlane.
Chris Brandt, Chipotle’s chief brand officer, emphasized the importance of this format, stating, “Chipotlanes are a critical piece of our long-term growth goal of reaching 7,000 restaurants in North America. This restaurant format is the fastest way for fans to get Chipotle and has proven to increase sales, margins, and returns.”
The Chipotlane concept was first introduced in the U.S. in early 2018. It allows customers and delivery drivers to pick up their orders without leaving their vehicles. Restaurants with Chipotlanes have shown higher sales volumes and better returns compared to traditional locations. On average, customers complete their transactions in less than 30 seconds.
To support its growth, Chipotle is building a pipeline that will enable the company to open new restaurants at a rate of 8% to 10% annually. The majority of these new locations will feature a Chipotlane. In 2023, Chipotle plans to open between 285 and 315 new restaurants, with at least 80% including this drive-thru option.
In addition to expanding its physical presence, Chipotle is also enhancing its hiring process by partnering with Paradox to implement AI technology. This initiative aims to reduce the time needed to hire employees for in-restaurant positions by up to 75%. The AI system will be rolled out gradually across more than 3,500 locations.
Overall, the introduction of Chipotlanes reflects Chipotle’s commitment to improving customer convenience while driving growth and profitability.
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