NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—Chipotle Mexican Grill announced it is hiring 15,000 employees to ensure its restaurants are fully staffed for what it is calling “burrito season,” running from March to May, typically the company’s busiest time of year.
The restaurant is launching a new hiring campaign that features its current employees in an effort to increase applications. The brand is showcasing the stories of its people and profiling their career progression within the organization.
“Our restaurant teams are the core of this organization, and with a goal of more than doubling our footprint to 7,000 locations in North America, we are targeting employees today to serve as our leaders of tomorrow,” said Scott Boatwright, chief restaurant officer. "We will continue bringing in new crew to support Chipotle’s aggressive growth plans, while simultaneously promoting and upskilling those currently in the role.”
The new campaign features six employees from across the country that have risen in the ranks from restaurant crewmember to management during their tenure. In 2022, Chipotle had approximately 22,000 internal promotions. Additionally, 90% of all restaurant management roles were internal promotions, including 100% of U.S. regional vice president roles, 81% of team directors and 74% of field leader positions, according to the company.
“As a people-first company, Chipotle has invested in human capital technology over the past several years to enhance the team member experience and build capabilities in its restaurants, creating a more efficient and consistent environment,” wrote Chipotle in a press release. “These ongoing investments in employees are showing early results in increased retention and better recruitment this year.”
Chipotle’s benefits include an all crew bonus, which allows its restaurant employees to earn an extra month’s worth of pay each year, access to mental health care and assistance with English as a second language for employees and their families, tuition reimbursement and debt-free college degrees, free meals and more.
The organization has found its retention rate is two times higher among employees enrolled in the education assistance program, and crew members participating are six times more likely to move into a management role.
"Our goal is to develop and retain diverse talent at every level of the organization and be the employer of choice," added Boatwright.
In 2021, Chipotle increased its hourly wages, resulting in a $15 average hourly wage, and the restaurant chain offers employees the opportunity to advance to a “restaurateur,” the highest general manager position, in a minimum of three and a half years, with average compensation of $100,000.
NACS hosted three webinars last summer that discussed innovative ways to address the labor shortage facing the convenience retailing industry, including flexible and innovative scheduling.
NACS has partnered with Good Jobs Institute to explore how c-store operators can provide “good jobs,” those that meet people’s basic needs and offer conditions for engagement and motivation. The Good Jobs Calculator, designed exclusively for NACS members and the convenience industry, allows retailers to use their own data and customized assumptions about the amount of improvement or uplift achievable, enabling executives to run scenarios on the bottom-line impact of a Good Jobs system.