Chipotle is on a hiring spree for 20,000 seasonal employees, leveraging an artificial intelligence program dubbed ‘Ava Cado’.
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. announced its strategy to leverage artificial intelligence in hastening their recruitment process as it prepares to employ 20,000 individuals for their busiest season, known as Burrito Season, from March to May.
The restaurant chain aims to fully staff its 3,700-plus outlets with new workers. Job seekers will likely engage with Ava Cado, an AI-powered virtual team member, during their application process.
Chipotle reports that Ava Cado has significantly streamlined the hiring procedure. The AI solution has not only slashed the time it takes for applicants to complete their forms but also boosted the completion rate from 50% to a staggering 85%.
With Ava Cado, candidates can now finish their applications and kick start their jobs in just four days, compared to the previous 12-day period, according to Chipotle.
The brand is also rolling out three TV spots to spotlight its job vacancies, featuring a general manager from Portland, Ore.; a certified training manager at a restaurant in Phoenix; and another general manager from Texas.
In 2024, Chipotle promoted 23,000 internal team members, with 85% of its restaurant management roles being filled internally. Significantly, five of the firm’s regional vice presidents began their journey as crew members.
Chipotle is further planning to double its presence by opening up to 7,000 restaurants.
Despite a slight dip in its stock on Wednesday’s premarket trading, Chipotle’s shares have seen a 9.6% drop in 2025, while the S&P 500 has seen a 4.2% rise.
