- Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright says the fast-casual restaurant chain is expanding at an “exponential rate,” with plans to open more than 300 new locations this year. Key to making the growth happen is new AI technology, like its hiring platform, “Ava Cado,” Boatwright tells Fortune.
If you’re a fan of bowls, tacos, and burritos, there’s good news: There might be a Chipotle opening in your neighborhood soon.
The company currently operates over 3,700 restaurants, but it has ambitious goals to expand to 7,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada alone. On stage at the Fortune COO summit today, Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright revealed that the company is expanding nearly by the day.
“We will open a new Chipotle restaurant this year almost every 24 hours,” Boatwright said to Fortune’s Kristin Stoller. “And if you think about the growth that’s ahead of us and the need for highly capable, purpose-driven, value-oriented individuals is more critical today than it probably ever has been for our brand.”
Chipotle currently employs over 130,000 employees—and with expansion also planned for Mexico, Boatwright admitted that using AI technology has made the hiring process much quicker. Last year, Chipotle introduced “Ava Cado,” the company’s AI hiring platform, and since then, Boatwright said hiring times have been reduced by 75%.
And while the use of AI in the hiring process may be an unwelcome sign for human resource professionals, Boatwright said AI has a place in business across all verticals and industries.
“This not only helps us keep our restaurant staffed, but ensures we have the best talent that’s available in the industry,” he said.
AI might give you a discount on your next Chipotle bowl
While Chipotle is joining the long list of companies embracing AI across its business, Boatwright said you shouldn’t expect to have a robot folding your burrito anytime soon (though it may be making your guacamole).
“We don’t look to replace the human experience, we look to remove waste and expand or enhance the team member experience,” he added.
The company is also using the technology within its rewards system. If a customer hasn’t made a purchase in the last two weeks, Boatwright said they may be offered a deal that will escalate over time to get the customer to come into the store. AI technology is helping tailor the deals to the individual based on their personalization and overall brand usage.
And while Boatwright only just became CEO last year—after serving as COO for over seven years—he admitted his attempts to scale the company with new technology and initiatives will only work if customers enjoy the product.
“Customers come to Chipotle for the food,” he said.
