Dive Brief:
- Chipotle will expand its Apprentice program by placing these employees in over 4,200 company-owned locations by the end of 2027, the chain said in a press release Tuesday.
- Apprentices — high-performing employees working toward a management position — are currently in about 75% of its restaurants, the company said. Adding more apprentices will create additional opportunities for crew members to advance their careers, while the organization builds a deeper management bench.
- These up-and-coming leaders are a key part of the chain’s unit growth strategy, particularly as it expands towards 7,000 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. This year, it said it expects to open between 350 to 370 company-owned units.
Dive Insight:
Developing its leadership pipeline is part of the chain’s Recipe for Growth strategy, which also includes strengthening its core menu, improving brand messaging and menu innovations, modernizing its business model with technology and expanding its global reach.
“Our people are our greatest competitive advantage,” CEO Scott Boatwright said during an August earnings call. “When we invest in our teams, they deliver better experiences for our guests, and that drives sustainable growth.”
Turnover for general managers is at a multi-year low, while crew member turnover has returned to normal levels, Boatwright said.
“We believe Chipotle has become one of the industry’s best developers of restaurant operators, and that capability is critical to delivering consistent execution today, while supporting our long-term growth,” he said.
Many apprentices are preparing to become general managers, a role that requires overseeing operations, developing teams and upholding the chain’s operating standards.
Apprentices also add leadership and staffing coverage during peak periods and weekends. These employees build stronger team culture and help restaurants deliver consistent guest experiences with both in-restaurant and digital occasions.
“By taking ownership of key areas, including training and the digital makeline, Apprentices allow General Managers to distribute responsibilities more effectively, improve digital execution and consistently deliver Chipotle’s standards for hospitality,” Chipotle said.
Stores with apprentices typically have higher operational scores, improving restaurant economics over the long term, the company said. Expanding the deployment of these employees could help keep up Chipotle’s traffic and sales momentum. Same-store sales were up by 2.2% during Q2 2026, the highest comparable sales growth since Q4 2024.
Other brands have also been emphasizing leadership positions. Dutch Bros has over 500 operator candidates available to oversee newly opened stores. Burger King, which posted one of the highest comparable sales increases of Q2, reworked its manager role during the summer to better support the guest experience.