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Tag: chipotle

  • TikTok Enters Job Market with TikTok Resumes

    TikTok Enters Job Market with TikTok Resumes

    TikTok is looking to expand beyond just social media, introducing TikTok Resumes as a way to apply for jobs.

    TikTok is one of the most popular, and most controversial, social media platforms. While it has a user base and growth rate to make other platforms green with envy, the company continues to faceprivacy abuse allegations and has been on the receiving end of a campaign by the previous administration to ban the platform.

    None of those challenges are stopping the company from expanding into the job market, with the unveiling of TikTok Resumes.

    “We’re excited to launch ‘TikTok Resumes’ as a pilot program designed to continue expanding and enhancing TikTok as a new channel for recruitment and job discovery,” reads the company’s blog. “We’re teaming up with select companies and inviting job seekers to apply for entry-level to experienced positions with some of the world’s most sought-after employers, including Chipotle, Target, WWE, Alo Yoga, Shopify, Contra, Movers+Shakers, and many more, with a TikTok video resume. Interested candidates are encouraged to creatively and authentically showcase their skillsets and experiences, and use #TikTokResumes in their caption when publishing their video resume to TikTok.”

    While many users may be reluctant to trust the platform with something as important as their job prospects, it appears the fledgling service already has an impressive array of companies onboard.

  • Chipotle Set to Open Digital Kitchen, First Digital-Only Restaurant

    Chipotle Set to Open Digital Kitchen, First Digital-Only Restaurant

    Chipotle has announced its first digital-only restaurant, potentially disrupting the restaurant industry during one of its most challenging periods.

    One of the more controversial COVID mitigation measures has been curtailing restaurants and bars. Around the world, customers and establishments have protested, and in some cases defied, closure orders. In spite of the unpopularity of such moves, however, experts have continued to warn of the dangers of dining in. In fact, a new study by MIT Technology Review has labeled restaurants “covid hot spots.”

    Although not necessarily the focus, Chipotle seems to have the answer to COVID challenges as it prepares to debut Digital Kitchen, its first digital-only restaurant. The new concept will not have a dining room, or a front service line. Instead, guests will place their order in advance using the Chipotle app, Chipotle.com or third-party delivery options. Orders can be picked up via the restaurant lobby.

    “The Digital Kitchen incorporates innovative features that will complement our rapidly growing digital business, while delivering a convenient and frictionless experience for our guests,” said Curt Garner, Chief Technology Officer of Chipotle. “With digital sales tripling year over year last quarter, consumers are demanding more digital access than ever before so we’re constantly exploring new ways to enhance the experience for our guests.”

    Chipotle’s new restaurants will likely be a big hit and help the company expand in locations where full-sized restaurants are not feasible. In addition, it should help the company weather any future COVID crackdowns.

  • We Are Definitely Under a Digital Transformation at Chipotle, Says CEO

    We Are Definitely Under a Digital Transformation at Chipotle, Says CEO

    We are definitely under a digital transformation at Chipotle, says Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol. Chipotle is in the midst of a digital and innovation revolution that is starting to see results. “Our digital business is up dramatically and the good news it’s also incremental so the total business is up,” said Niccol. “You have to have innovation happening all the time.”

    Brian Niccol, CEO of Chipotle, discusses their digital transformation and new innovation culture in an interview on CNN Business:

    We Are Definitely Under a Digital Transformation

    Our digital business is up dramatically and the good news it’s also incremental so the total business is up. We are definitely under a digital transformation at Chipotle. We are creating access through all these mobile applications and then obviously the website. But the big transformation is actually digitizing the restaurant. We have a second line where we now have put up all the digital capability there.

    When you order in the app it doesn’t interact with the front line where consumers coming into the restaurant are. It has just increased the speed, increased the accuracy, and it’s also increased the opportunity for additional forms of access. Whether it’s delivery or our new Chipotlane we are testing where people can literally just drive up, grab their food and go. We are just going to give people more ways to interact with Chipotle with a lot less friction.

    Innovative Chipotlane Speeds Digital Pickup

    Chipotlane is just taking your off-premise order and giving you access where you don’t have to get out of your car. This is literally where you order ahead in the app, you select your pickup time, and when you get to our restaurant you will see your name on a board and you can come around and pick it up.

    We’ve got it in ten restaurants right now and it’s going really well. Every restaurant already has the second make line, so we are just putting in the digital capability. The other key piece of the puzzle is that when you walk into the restaurant there’s a place for you to pick up your digital orders. Whether it’s the deliver driver coming in to grab the food and go or whether it’s a customer coming in.

    You Have to Have Innovation Happening All the Time

    Consumer expectations are changing faster than ever. When you look at one of our key groups that loves Chipotle is this 18-25 year old crowd. Their attention spans are built from social media. That’s why I think it’s important to show up in the places where they are consuming media. We’ve really revolutionized the way Chipotle has communicated through our social, mobile, and digital channels. You have to have innovation happening all the time.

    It could be little things that show up in social or it could be big things like we are working on doing a new quesadilla or the new advertising that’s coming out or new restaurant designs. You see innovation at big levels but we are trying to create a culture at Chipotle where we want creativity and innovation to be happening all the time. Then we need to be accountable for what this innovation teaches us, the good and the bad.


  • Chipotle CEO Going Digital to Create a ‘Frictionless Experience’

    Chipotle CEO Going Digital to Create a ‘Frictionless Experience’

    Chipotle is moving in a digital direction, with their digital business up 48 percent over last year. The company has introduced a new app, digital lines, digital pickup shelves, and a mobile pickup window in an effort to create a “frictionless experience” for its customers, according to Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol.

    Brian Niccol, Chipotle Mexican Grill CEO, discussed their digital strategy this morning on CNBC:

    Chipotle App Creating a Frictionless Digital Experience

    What we’re trying to do is remove any friction and get people more access and we’re having a lot of success with that. Our digital business is now up to 11 percent, which is up 48 percent over last year. What’s really exciting is we’re seeing people continue to adopt the utilization of the app and then all the new access channels that we’re creating, whether it’s these digital pick-up-shelves or delivery, we’re just getting a tremendous response from our customers.

    Introducing Digital Lines and Shelves

    One of the things that are really powerful for our company is we’ve got what we call a Digital Make Line and it is completely separate from the Customer Facing Line. When you come into the restaurant and you go down that Customer Facing Line if you’ve placed a digital order it doesn’t get in the way of that experience. We’re also putting in place these Digital Pickup Shelves so that when you order ahead, you literally can walk in grab your food and go, a completely frictionless experience.

    Our digital line requires fewer people to run it versus the front line. The thing that’s great is what we’ve seen is this digital business is highly incremental, so the additional labor necessary to support the incremental sales it works really well for us.

    Testing a New Mobile Pickup Window

    We’ve got the new mobile pickup window in four restaurants right now. The way it works is you order ahead and you pick your time and then you know you literally come right by the restaurant, we’ve got a window, your food comes out the window and off you go. We’re seeing tremendous response to that and it’s in a market in Ohio and a market in Texas. We’re gonna start adding more restaurants in 2019, so you’re gonna see us building more restaurants that have the ability for that mobile pickup.

    Second Lines in All 2,500 Stores in 2019

    The thing that is happening right now on a broad scale basis are these second lines. We’ve digitized them, we’re in about 750 restaurants we’ll have all 2,500 restaurants done by the end of 2019. To accompany that we’re putting in these digital shelves so that literally you can skip the whole process.

  • Whitney Cummings Posts Topless [Pics]

    Whitney Cummings Posts Topless [Pics]

    Whitney Cummings says she was too skinny. So Whitney Cummings put on a few pounds, but still stayed healthy. The result is a face that people think is the result of really good surgery and a body that she’s proud to show off topless. (Pic below.)

    Cummings revealed her new look to Hoda and Kathie Lee this week, all while joking about how she got there. The hosts commented that it looked like Whitney had a new face.

    “I did get a new face. I bought it on eBay,” Cummings joked.

    The truth, however, swims against everything most people think.

    “I did this weird thing that nobody likes to do anymore where I gained weight,” Cummings revealed.”I put on, like, 20 pounds. People think I got a face lift.”

    Exactly how much weight Cummings put on she doesn’t even seem to remember.

    “I gained, like, 25 pounds, which I think I needed to,” she said. “I was way too skinny before. Here’s the thing… when you’re on television you get confused. I looked like I was passing away, like I was so skinny. It’s not attractive.”

    While many women in Hollywood are decrying the insistence of producers that actresses lose weight before being considered for roles, Whitney found something in it all to laugh about.

    “I feel like all the advice to girls now to lose weight, lose weight … they say you have to pick your face or our ass. I’m picking my face,” she announced. “But I hope somebody else picks the other one.”

    It’s not all eating and intentional weight gain. Whitney has a couple of gadgets she is fond of.

    “And then I got this LED machine online, like you use on your face,” she explains “I’m always wearing it. It’s like a white mask that you put on, and you look so crazy. It’s like an LED mask that you wear every day. It tightens. I’ve been using it like three months.”

    It’s tough to drive while using that LED mask. So Whitney has another product that she takes with her when she is on the run.

    “There’s this machine, it looks like a sex toy, called Nu Face. I use it while I’m driving. I’m doing a new show on high-def television — which hates women — so I’m just trying to kind of [help my face].”

    Cummings is so proud of her new look, she’s showing everyone. She posted a couple of snapshots to Instagram that would’ve made Chelsea Handler proud.

    One was in Chipotle, which must be one of her beauty secrets.

    When I go to @chipotlemexicangrill the food is not the only thing with integrity and the guac is not the only thing that's extra

    A photo posted by Whitney Cummings (@whitneyacummings) on

    The other was a topless shot in a closet full of shoes.

    Thank you @karlawelchstylist for the shoegasm 👠

    A photo posted by Whitney Cummings (@whitneyacummings) on

  • Chipotle Catches Hell Over NYPD Service Refusal, Even After Statement

    Rumors have been flying that some NYPD officers entered a Chipotle restaurant in New York and were refused service. Apparently those rumors are true, but perhaps only in part.

    The story goes that eight NYPD officers were greeted at the counter by an employee who simply put his hands up in the now-well-known “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” gesture and refused to serve them. Some stories say that all the behind-the-counter employees did so. Here is the text from the original story about the incident. (See below for entire post.)

    “It has been confirmed to me by an officer involved at the incident that when several officers working a detail yesterday within the confines of the NYPD 84th Precinct (one of my old commands) entered a Chipotle Mexican Grill, located at 185 Montague Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 in uniform, several of the employees raised their hands & said ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot’ to the officers. The officers simply left the location without any further action at the scene rather than provoke what could be a losing situation, given the current climate of ‘support’ from our Mayor.”

    Now Chipotle has said something on their Facebook page about the incident. According to the post, only one employee made the gesture, and the officers were not denied service.

    “[W]e work hard to be sure that all of our customers feel welcome in our restaurants and apologize if the actions of any of our employees suggested otherwise. When this happened roughly two weeks ago, we investigated and have taken appropriate measures to be sure this doesn’t happen again.

    “We do want you to know, however, that we did not refuse service to anyone, nor did our staff conspire to make a gesture. It appears that any activity that took place was undertaken by a single employee, spontaneously. I hope that helps.”

    Some folks are asking if that employee was fired. But Chipotle is only saying, “We’re doing our best to apologize to the folks who have concerns about this in an immediate way.”

    The statement does not seem to be placating many. Some comments on the Chipotle page include [sics galore]:

    “You lost two real big customers to all of your Long Island and Nyc locations after your sorry excuse of a response was released … Will spread to all of my friends and family as well”

    “Compleatly discusting never eating here disrespectfull beyond belife”

    “I hope your business get destroyed by rioters. I’m never eating at Chipotle again.”

    “Never again. You can shove your burritos where the sun don’t hit ya. You should enjoy it as you are as homosexual jerks as ovomit is.”

    “love how everyone blames a national restaurant for one persons stupidity…lets blame the hater and the protesters who still dont get it and probably never will…#ISupporttheNYPD”

    Here is the Facebook post that seems to have started the whole story.

    Post by Ray Melendez.

  • Chipotle Guacamole Gone? Don’t Panic Yet

    No need to panic yet, people.

    Chipotle guacamole is not going anywhere anytime soon. A restaurant spokesman confirmed that the reports that Chipotle will no longer carry the side are “way overblown”.

    The company said in its most recent FEC filing that costs of food items like avocados, beef, dairy and chicken went up in 2013 and could rise even more in 2014.

    “Alternatively, in the event of cost increases with respect to one or more of our raw ingredients, we may choose to temporarily suspend serving menu items, such as guacamole or one or more of our salsas, rather than paying the increased cost for the ingredients,” the filing said.

    Those words seemed to leap out from the pages, sending people into a panic after word got out.

    The twitterverse went nuts following reports that Chipotle would not be serving the green stuff and it seems people started to take the threats of global warming way more seriously.

    Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold said the news “is way overblown” and the filing is just routine.

    “As a public company … we are required to disclose any potential issues that could have potential impact on our business, and we do that very thoroughly,” he said.

    Image via Twitter, RYOT News

  • Chipotle Guacamole at Risk Due to Climate Change

    According to Chipotle’s annual report released last month that was recently highlighted by the liberal blog ThinkProgress, guacamole could be removed from the menu as a result of global warming.

    The restaurant chain said it uses 97,000 pounds of avocado per day (which amounts to 18 tons per year), and almost 70 pounds in just one batch of guacamole.

    While scientists said the avocado industry is currently fine, negative climate change could dramatically affect the crop. Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, for example, predict that warmer temperatures will cause a 40 percent drop in avocado production in California over the next 32 years.

    Chipotle warned investors that severe climate changes could eventually affect the availability and prices of some of the guacamole’s ingredients and the company may not be willing to pay the bill if that is the case.

    “Increasing weather volatility or other long-term changes in global weather patterns, including any changes associated with global climate change, could have a significant impact on the price or availability of some of our ingredients,” Chipotle said in its annual report.

    “In the event of cost increases with respect to one or more of our raw ingredients we may choose to temporarily suspend serving menu items, such as guacamole or one or more of our salsas, rather than paying the increased cost for the ingredients,” read the report.

    Chipotle did recognize the menu change could have a negative impact on the restaurant chain.

    “Any such changes to our available menu may negatively impact our restaurant traffic and comparable restaurant sales, and could also have an adverse impact on our brand,” noted the company.

    Chipotle’s commitment to local, organic, and sustainable farming practices is another reason it may be more vulnerable in the event of an increasing climate shift. Chipotle’s food producers are generally smaller operations and may not be as able to survive poor farming conditions without raising prices, which has already been practiced over the past two years, the company said.

    “For instance, two years of drought conditions in parts of the U.S. have resulted in significant increases in beef prices during late 2013 and early 2014,” the company said, noting that further  increases in the price of beef could affect its decision to remove guacamole from its menu.

    Severe drought has put a strain on farming practices in California, the state in which the most Chipotle restaurants are located, at 288. The company is committed to working with local and sustainable farmers within 350 miles of the restaurant locations, so the drought in California has had quite an impact on costs because local producers are not always equipped to operate under poor weather conditions without increasing prices.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Chipotle: Guacamole Production Not At Risk

    Many enjoy crunching into tortilla chips with a large bowl of guacamole in hand. Recent concerns have been voiced that unusual weather conditions may influence the abundance of this popular food item. According to an annual report generated by Chipotle Mexican Grill, global warming may be a culprit in either decreasing the production of guacamole, or causing an increase in prices for the tasty food. The report read as follows:

    “Increasing weather volatility or other long-term changes in global weather patterns, including any changes associated with global climate change, could have a significant impact on the price or availability of some of our ingredients. Alternatively, in the event of cost increases with respect to one or more of our raw ingredients, we may choose to temporarily suspend serving menu items, such as guacamole or one or more of our salsas, rather than paying the increased cost for the ingredients.”

    Those who like to dine on the delicious dish should not fret just yet. According to Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold, “This is nothing more than routine risk factor disclosure. The sky is not falling. I wouldn’t read too much into this.”

    Arnold went on to explain that similar circumstances have occurred previously. “We saw similar issues in 2011 and incurred higher prices for the avocados we used, but never stopped serving guacamole,” he said.

    Arnold insists that the recent annual report served as nothing more than the company’s required disclosure. Fans of the popular restaurant chain should not worry about guacamole being removed from the menu at this time. Now, where are those tortilla chips?

    Image Via Wikimedia Commons

  • Chipotle Guacamole: It’s Still On The Menu

    Climate change gets blamed for a lot of things and now it is being blamed for a possible guacamole shortage that could cause restaurants like Chipotle to remove the item from their menu. Climate change has caused a major drought in California, where most of the avocados used in guacamole in the United States are grown.

    The drought has led to poor yields of avocados and other crops grown in California. As a result, shipments of the produce are behind and many restaurants are not getting the avacodos within a timely manner or at all. Chipotle recently said that as supply and demand goes, the less avocados there are, the higher their price. If the restaurant chain can not afford to take on the extra cost, they will just remove the guacamole from the menu.

    “In the event of cost increases with respect to one or more of our raw ingredients, we may choose to temporarily suspend serving menu items, such as guacamole or one or more of our salsas, rather than paying the increased cost for the ingredients,” the company said in a recent 10-K filing.

    Chipotle uses 97,000 pounds of avocado per day and it takes at least 72 pounds of avocados to make just one batch of guacamole. If they do not receive a large enough shipment of avocados, they may not be able to keep up with customer demands. Chipotle brags about using local foods and since the restaurant chain has the most restaurants in California, that is where they buy their avocados.

    The company has reassured customers that they have not removed guacamole from the menu yet and may not have to after all. Although the company released the information in a recent report, they claim that they have made similar reports in previous years and not removed any items from the menu.

    Do you think Chipotle will have to remove the guacamole from their menus?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Chipotle Guacamole May Come Under Threat

    Chipotle Guacamole May Come Under Threat

    Chipotle has made responsible food sourcing a part of their business model, releasing an award-winning ad last year that cleverly combined animation with a haunting version of “Pure Imagination” by Fiona Apple and showed us how making the wrong choices regarding ingredients can have a lasting impact on our bodies and the land. Now, they’re worried that changing global climates may have a negative effect on the things they put into their food, and are warning customers that they may have to suspend some items from their menu as a result. Specifically, their famous guacamole and salsas.

    The burrito chain announced in an annual report last month that the terrible drought blanketing California may impact their ability to procure certain ingredients, namely those found in their guacamole and salsa.

    “Increasing weather volatility or other long-term changes in global weather patterns, including any changes associated with global climate change, could have a significant impact on the price or availability of some of our ingredients,” Chipotle said in the statement. “In the event of cost increases with respect to one or more of our raw ingredients we may choose to temporarily suspend serving menu items, such as guacamole or one or more of our salsas, rather than paying the increased cost for the ingredients.”

    But spokespeople for the restaurant say that the warning is simply a measure to ensure their customers are aware of what’s going on. More than likely, a slight price increase is all we’ll see.

    “This is nothing more than routine risk factor disclosure. The sky is not falling,” said spokesman Chris Arnold. “I wouldn’t read too much into this.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Genius Asks Kickstarter for $8 Burrito, Gets Hundreds of Dollars

    Good use of popular crowdfunding platform Kickstarter–or best use of popular crowdfunding platform Kickstarter?

    Screw getting a movie made or funding a cool new 3D printer. Kickstarter was made for supporting man’s quest to experience a Chipotle burrito in as many ways as possible, and rank those experiences on a so-called “deliciousness graph.”

    Enter Noboru Bitoy (who claims no affiliation with Chipotle), a man in search of true burrito enlightenment. About a week ago, Bitoy started a Kickstarter project to raise $8. All he wanted was for Kickstarter donors to pony up about $6 for a chicken burrito, $0.60 for sales tax, and another buck to tip the nice folks at Chipotle. Upon receiving these funds, Bitoy promised to rate the burrito on a scale of “No” to “Wow!” and post his findings in a “creative presentation.”

    Well, he hit the $8 goal and made good on his promise. The chicken burrito from Chipotle scored a “Yum” on the deliciousness graph–meaning Bitoy thinks the burrito is very good. It was one spot away from “Wow!”–meaning Bitoy would have crowned it the best burrito ever.

    The story could end here, I mean, dude got the internet to buy him a Chipotle burrito for no reason whatsoever. High five, bro. But it doesn’t end here–because people just kept donating.

    As it stands, Bitoy has $307 dollars pledged of his $8 goal, coming from 117 backers.

    And he’s planning on putting that extra money to good use. In the near future, he plans to test burrito deliciousness hypothesis like whether or not burrito deliciousness changes per day left in fridge. For this experiment, he will consume 4 burritos–one at the peak of freshness and the other 3 the following days. Another experiment involves constructing 24 different types of chicken burritos, some with white tortillas and some with wheat, some with black beans and some with pinto–and so on and so forth.

    Oh yeah, and if he hits $500, there’s this:

    Alright guys, you are all blowing my mind with your diehard support! I have one final stretch goal now.The other night I was thinking, “How much more delicious would a Chicken Burrito from Chipotle be… if I was plummeting from the heavens?” That’s right, Kickstarter community. I am going to make an infographic detailing just how delicious a chicken burrito is when eaten during a SKYDIVE.

    Of course, every taste test will eventually be registered on the deliciousness graph. My prediction is that the 2-day-old burrito achieves the coveted “Wow!” ranking.

    If you want to donate to his cause, you have 23 days to go. Where else are you going to spend $1?

    Avlxyz, Flickr

  • Chipotle Eyes Price Increase in Quest to Remove GMOs

    The cost of a burrito at Chipotle may be going up in the near future.

    The company just reported their Q3 earnings, and in the earnings call CEO and Founder Steve Ells said that a 3-5% price increase could be on the way. The increase could come, in large part, as a product of the restaurant chain attempting to fully remove genetically modified organisms from their ingredients.

    “We are not going to make a decision today on pricing but I think that it’s probably in kind of a mid-single digit range, whether that’s 3, 4, 5 kind of percent. What it will depend on is what happens with general ingredient inflation between now and then and then what it costs us to remove GMOs from the rest of our ingredients,” said Ells.

    “Once we have all that information at hand we’ll be able to do a better job of figuring out what the price increase might be. And in terms of timing it’s really hinging more on removing GMOs. We’d really like to make more progress, understand what that’s going to cost, how much time that’s going to take, all that kind of stuff and then we’ll feel better about coordinating a price increase around the time that we’re removing GMOs and we think that there might be an opportunity as well. We think it will be a pretty exciting time for us when we can announce that.”

    Current Chipotle ingredients that contain GMOs include soybean oil, corn flour, and cornstarch.

    “We decided we’d rather try to avoid GMO ingredients until perhaps the science is more clear,” said Ells earlier this year. “There are some things that we just can’t, today, get non-GMO.”

    “I don’t know that I can say today that we have no soybean oil, but very shortly, in weeks, we will have none. It will not be long before a Chipotle is GMO-free.”

    One of Chipotle’s main marks of pride over the years has been their “Food with Integrity” commitment, which means that when possible, Chipotle sources uses ingredients that are sustainably grown and occasionally local.

    “We are not aware of any other restaurant company anywhere near our sight that’s even attempting to do this and so to actually accomplish it will be pretty exciting and we’d like to time that excitement around with the price increase,” said Ells.

    Chipotle reported an 18% increase in revenue in Q3, up to $826.9 million.

    Image via Avlxyz, Flickr

  • Chipotle Scarecrow Encourages Better Food Choices

    As processed foods are on the rise and being sold at grocery stores and fast food chains, one restaurant is suggesting we all begin eating healthier.

    Earlier this week, Chipotle released a video and a game, that revolves around a scarecrow. When watching the video clip, we follow around the scarecrow as he witnesses food created in factories and chickens injected so that they are more plump to eat. He has a frown on his face until he escapes the large city and goes to a countryside where he picks fresh vegetables that he takes back to the city to sell, in the form of Chipotle tacos. He wants to offer the people something fresh to eat, in a world where processed foods are almost everywhere.

    The video is sort of depressing. Fiona Apple singing ‘Pure Imagination’ plays in the background in a sad, almost monotone voice. The video ends with the slogan “Cultivate a Better World”, hanging on a giant banner.

    On a website started by Chipotle, Scarecrowgame.com, there is a statement saying that ““The Scarecrow” is at once an addicting game, a poignant short film, and a project that reflects what we believe in. The city of Plenty is a glimpse at a future that may not be far off. Processed food, animal confinement, and the use of synthetic growth hormones, non-therapeutic antibiotics, and toxic pesticides are rampant in our food supply. Educating people about alternatives is a journey for the Scarecrow, and it continues to be a journey for us.”

    The website also discusses the game “The Scarecrow”, which is downloadable through the App Store. “The Scarecrow needs your help to foil the evil plans of Crow Foods and break the crows‘ monopoly on food production and supply in the city of Plenty. Tilt your device to navigate through each level, outsmart the Crowbots, unlock extras, and restore hope for animals, farms, and the environment, while providing the citizens of Plenty a healthy and delicious alternative,” is posted on Scarecrowgame.com

    This new campaign created by Chiptole comes from the heart and will make you think about the food choices that you make.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUtnas5ScSE

    [Photo via Youtube]

  • Chipotle’s New Ad “The Scarecrow” Goes Viral

    Chipotle’s New Ad “The Scarecrow” Goes Viral

    Chipotle, the popular fast-food restaurant known for their 100% use of organically-farmed meat and produce, released a new advertisement on YouTube that went viral within 48 hours. The 2-minute ad, “The Scarecrow,” is completely animated and only being aired on YouTube. In addition to the video, there is also a mobile application of the same title.

    The video, in which a farmer starts his own organic food stand after self-termination at a factory farm, doesn’t even display an association to the restaurant until the final few seconds. At the very end, a Chipotle truck drives into view with the brand name emblazoned on the side.

    The initial goal of the video was to promote its new mobile game. However, the controversy and attention garnered by the release of “The Scarecrow” has given the Chipotle brand multitudes of free advertising as being an ethical choice for fast-food consumers.

    Fiona Apple sings a Willy Wonka tune in the background, “Pure Imagination,” and the clip ends with the slogan, “Cultivate a Better World,” on the farmer’s food stand.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUtnas5ScSE

    Image courtesy Chipotle via YouTube.

  • Chipotle Ad Is A Haunting, Beautiful Stance On Factory Farming

    Chipotle has released a new ad unlike anything we’ve seen from them, and the animation–along with the haunting melody of Fiona Apple singing “Pure Imagination”–is a beautiful, thought-provoking stance against factory farming.

    The song, which most of you will remember from “Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory”, is the perfect compliment to the animated sequence, which runs about three minutes and twenty-three seconds long. The entire thing achieves just what it sets out to; to make us think about what we’re buying and consuming while giving us a kick in the old nostalgia.

    Check out the video below. Thanks to Buzzfeed.

    Image: YouTube

  • Chipotle’s Twitter Hack Was Fake and I Ain’t Even Mad

    In retrospect, we should’ve seen this coming.

    Earlier this week, the official Twitter account for Chipotle spent about an hour making some pretty odd tweets. “Find avocado store,” read ond tweet. “Mittens13 password leave,” read another. Here’s a screencap of the strange tweets:

    Shortly after, Chipotle tweeted out that they “had a little problem” with their account, but they’ve resolved the issue:

    At first glance, it appeared like your typical Twitter hack – albeit a particularly innocuous one. Whoever supposedly hacked Chipotle’s account didn’t really take the opportunity to say anything damaging about the company or cause too much of a ruckus – nothing close to what we saw with the hacks of Jeep and Burger King back in February. Plus, Chipotle left the tweets up (it’s common social media practice to delete any tweets that were sent out during a hack).

    Anyway, the incident was funny and Chipotle seemed to play it off well. End of story, right?

    Well, not really. Now Chipotle is coming clean – they faked the hack. It was just a publicity stunt. And you know what? I ain’t even mad.

    “We thought that people would pay attention, that it would cut through people’s attention and make them talk, and it did that,” Chris Arnold, a Chipotle representative, told Mashable. “It was definitely thought out: We didn’t want it to be harmful or hateful or controversial.”

    The publicity stunt comes at a time that the restaurant chain is promoting their 20th anniversary. Earlier this month, they launched a three-week long online treasure hunt that they are calling “Adventurrito.” It’s a series of internet puzzles that eventually culminates in a bunch of prizes like free burritos for life.

    Apparently, the fake hack helped Chipotle add over 4,000 followers that day, which is a lot considering they usually add about 250 new followers per day. All of the fake hack tweets have been retweeted thousands of time. For Chipotle, it’s nothing but a win.

    Feel free to disagree with me here, but I don’t think we should be mad at Chipotle for this publicity stunt. That’s because it was funny. It’s that simple. Is it really that much different to pull a stunt like this to snag followers than to use promoted tweets, beg for followers, or *gasp*, buy them? This is better, I’ll argue. Because it was funny.

    And it doesn’t reek of desperation and sadness like the MTV and BET fake Twitter hacks that they orchestrated shortly after the very real Burger King hack. I mean, they used hashtags like #MTVhack. Jesus Christ, people.

    Yes, Chipotle did it right. The only drawback here is that more companies are going to be using the fake hack technique to generate buzz. I’ll probably have a problem with it eventually – but as long as they remain generally funny, I think I can deal with it for a while.

  • Chipotle’s Twitter Account Hacked By Someone Looking For Avocados

    In the wake of all of these hacked Twitter accounts, it’s hard not to wonder what kind of weak passwords these social media managers are using. It’s really not that hard to create a string of characters others won’t be able to figure out. It really isn’t. If, however, you just can’t get the hang of creating a solid password that can stand up to non-brute force attacks, just follow XKCD’s advice. Anyway, our latest figure to fall victim to losing control of their Twitter account is the Chipotle restaurant.

    The hack happened about six hours ago, and while it didn’t reach Burger King levels, some fun was had by at least one person. Judging by the tweets in question, which have been preserved via a screenshot, it wouldn’t be surprising if some mind-altering chemicals were involved:

    Chipotle Twitter Hack

    Again, pretty innocuous stuff, and as of this writing, Chipotle has regained control of their Twitter account:


    It should be noted, however, the offending tweets are still up if you really want to see them. Who knows? Maybe the marketing manager for Chipotle’s online presence is leaving them up there as a badge of social media survival. The question remains, however, how does something like this happen? If the hack tweet stream is to be believed, the password in question was Mittens13, and while that may be fine for Aunt Sophie, it’s nowhere near strong enough for a corporation looking to protect their brand. If it’s a disgruntled employee looking to damage the brand, that’s one thing, but judging by the tweets in question, that’s doesn’t appear to be the case.

    Instead, it looks like a case of someone stumbling onto something unexpected, and then goofing around with their newfound toy. Use stronger passwords, people.

    (H/t to Geekosystem for pointing this out)

  • Chipotle Launches ‘Online Treasure Hunt’ and You Should Care Because the Prize Is Free Burritos for 20 Years

    Here’s the number of the day (at least if you’re a fan of burritos): 20.

    Chipotle is turning 20 years old, and in honor of that the company is launching a contest to give 20 grand prize winners free burritos for 20 years. The contest will take place over 20 days and will involve a series of 20 online puzzles. Each day that the contest is held, Chipotle will also give 20 lucky participants free burritos for a single year.

    Billed as a “three-week-long treasure hunt,” Chipotle is calling it “Adventurrito.” There will be a single puzzle to solve every day, all culminating in a final Grand Prize puzzle on August 1st. In order to even unlock the final puzzle and have a chance to win one of the 20 Grand Prizes, you have to solve all of the previous 19 puzzles by August 1st.

    Here’s what Chipotle has to say about the puzzles:

    The first 19 puzzles will vary from quick, easy puzzles to more challenging game play, and will incorporate Chipotle history as well as its commitment to better food from more sustainable sources. Each will be accompanied by a video clue presented by high-profile friends of Chipotle, including celebrities, athletes, political leaders, and farmers who are friends with the company.

    Puzzle hints in the form of haikus, or “Hai-clues,” will also be available to players who need a little extra help solving the puzzle. Hints can be unlocked by visiting any Chipotle restaurant and texting a unique receipt code (found at the bottom of all Chipotle receipts throughout the duration of the contest) to 30364. From there players will receive a hint code that can be entered at Adventurrito.com to reveal the Hai-clue. Once a puzzle is answered correctly the player will earn a medallion and all 19 medallions must be collected to unlock the final puzzle.

    “Twenty years in, we are changing the way people think about and eat fast food,” said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle. “That vision has connected with a lot of people and helped to make them very loyal customers. In celebrating this milestone, we thought giving something special to our customers was the right thing to do, since they have given so much to us over the years.”

    It’s a pretty complicated promotion – but it’s also a pretty awesome prize. When Chipotle says “free burritos” they mean one per week. So, if you win a grand prize, you really win 1040 free burritos.

    You can head on over to Adventurrito.com to sign up. The contest begins in two days, on July 13th.

    Eyes on the prize, people:

  • Wide-Eyed Chipotle Worker Amazed By Mitt Romney

    When a young man named Marty Arps struck a pose beside presidential candidate Mitt Romney at his workplace recently, he had no idea the resulting photo would make him an instant celebrity.

    The picture quickly went viral and made the rounds on Twitter, where the phrase of the day was “this is the only picture of Mitt Romney you will ever need”. Arps insists his expression is just one he makes when he’s excited, and didn’t think it would turn out to be such a big deal. Obviously he’s never heard of the internet.

    (image)
    Image: Brian Snyder