Chipotle Mexican Grill is giving back to student-athletes at Ohio State University by providing them with free meals. The company has announced a partnership that will benefit approximately 1,000 scholarship and walk-on athletes during the 2024-25 school year.
According to a press release, each student-athlete will receive a customized Chipotle card that grants them one free entrée per week for 15 weeks. This initiative aims to ensure that athletes have access to nutritious meals throughout their athletic seasons.
The collaboration comes as Ohio State University ranks among the top five four-year universities for Chipotle consumption.
Other universities on the list include Emory University, the University of Colorado Boulder, Arizona State University, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Chris Brandt, Chipotle’s Chief Brand Officer, explained the motivation behind the partnership. “With so many Buckeyes routinely visiting our High Street restaurant on campus and our strong connection to the Columbus community, we wanted to pursue a partnership that would increase access to real food for all student-athletes at OSU. Typically, only a few star athletes secure NIL deals and brand partnerships, but we wanted to reward all Buckeyes with real ingredients to support their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence,” he said.
Logan Hittle, Ohio State’s Assistant Athletic Director of NIL, expressed gratitude for the partnership. “We are thrilled for this continued collaboration with Chipotle,” he stated. “This initiative highlights our commitment to helping student-athletes thrive both on and off the playing surface while partnering with a brand that shares our passion for excellence and authenticity.”
In addition to providing free meals, Chipotle’s nonprofit, the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, will award a full four-year scholarship to an in-state student attending Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. This scholarship will cover the total cost of attendance for a student pursuing a degree in agricultural-related studies.
Chipotle has also released an advertisement titled “THE,” featuring Ohio State football players TreVeyon Henderson, Denzel Burke, and Jeremiah Smith. The ad emphasizes the importance of authenticity and quality in both athletics and food.
As the Ohio State Buckeyes’ athletic season gets underway, this partnership aims to support student-athletes in their academic and athletic endeavors while promoting healthy eating habits.