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CHIPOTLE has ushered in several major changes to its operation – including robot helpers and increased portion sizes.
The popular US chain is actively testing out android sidekicks in the kitchen, as well as retraining staff to deliver proper meal sizes following controversy.
The popular US chain is actively testing out android sidekicks in the kitchen, as well as retraining staff to deliver proper meal sizes[/caption]
The robot Autocado can cut, core and peel avocados in an average time of 26 seconds[/caption]
In an exclusive comment to The US Sun, key details about the new bot were revealed – including the current state of the droid’s development.
Chipotle is allowing futuristic AI companions to cut, core, and peels avocados before they are hand mashed to create the restaurant’s signature guacamole.
“After testing the devices in Orange County, California restaurants for nearly two months and gathering valuable insights from our crew members, we’ve moved the device back to the Chipotle Cultivate Center in Irvine, CA, to explore process optimizations as part of our stage-gate process,” the Chipotle spokeswoman told The U.S. Sun.
Known as the Autocado, Chipotle first announced the move last September, revealing it would trial the machine in two California locations.
Autocado can cut, core, and peel avocados in an average time of 26 seconds.
This sparked fear among customers who took to Facebook.
“Improve efficiency = no employees and smaller portions and higher prices. Go to robots and I stop eating out.”
The major chain is now working on “optimizing” the robot and ironing out any wrinkles it faced during its two-month trial period.
According to the new CEO, Scott Boatwright, robots can help streamline back-of-house operations and make processes more efficient.
Boatwright told Yahoo Finance in December that it was his “endeavor to really modernize the kitchen.”
“It’s been exactly the same for 30 years.”
“[The] third phase of growth for Chipotle [is to] continue to drive incredible North American results in same-store restaurant sales and new unit growth,” Boatwright said.
“Then, think about how do we show up internationally on the international stage, whether that’s growth in Western Europe or international partnerships?”
This is not the first robot helper that Chipotle is trialling.
It was previously announced that would test out Chippy, a different bot used to automate tortilla chips.
GIVE US MORE
One of the changes that Chipotle has said it is actively working on is partly in response to criticism it has faced recently, as reported by The U.S. Sun.
Earlier this year, the fast food chain was accused of telling employees to give customers less in bowls and burritos.
These rumours caused uproar amongst Chipotle’s customer base.
This resulted in a viral TikTok trend of filming staff as they filled bowls and burritos to ensure enough food was given.
The trend has been dubbed several different names, including the Chipotle “cell phone rule.”
VIDEOS of Chipotle customers filming workers making their orders have been flooding social media.
Chipotle allegedly sent a memo to employees telling them to fill up burrito bowls to the brim when a customer is filming while ordering, according to business and investment influencer, Alex Friedman, on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Videos have been shared across platforms of customers filming their order as workers pile their bowls high with their chosen options.
There have been some extreme cases where customers brought in camera, lighting, and sound equipment to film workers and get the most food in their bowl.
Ex-CEO Brian Niccol strongly denied these allegations at the time, saying: “There was never a directive to provide less to our customers.
“Generous portions [are] a core brand equity of Chipotle.”
Niccol continued to stress that generous portions have “always been” and “always will be” one of the brand’s most regarded values.
“With that said, getting the feedback caused us to relook at our execution across the entire system with the intention to always serve our guests…custom burritos and bowls with generous portions,” he added.
CHIPTOLE’S RESPONSE
As a result, Chipotle have said that they are making active steps to ensure customers are happy with their portion sizes.
This includes re-training staff at least 10% of its 3,500 locations due to the results of some consumer surveys.
“We are reemphasizing training and coaching around ensuring we are consistently making bowls and burritos correctly,” he noted.
CFO Jack Hartung also noted that investments were being made in Chipotle to ensure the portion promise would be possible.
“We already have a number of initatives underway; some are operational, some are supply chain efficiencies,” Hartung said during a July 2024 earning’s call.
Despite this promise, some customers still don’t trust the chain’s vow.
“Chipotle won’t fix the problem,” someone blasted in a recent thread on Reddit.
“They are gunna make the bowls smaller,” another echoed.
“Bowls will be charged more but portions will be even smaller!” a third fumed.
The former CEO of Chipotle Brian Niccol[/caption]
