Chipotle Taps AI to Fill 20,000 Jobs for Burrito Season

Chipotle Mexican Grill is gearing up for its busiest time of the year, known as “burrito season,” by launching a massive hiring initiative and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) tools to streamline the process. The company aims to bring on 20,000 new employees, ensuring its restaurants are fully staffed for peak demand.

Hiring with AI: Meet "Ava Cado"

To speed up the hiring process, Chipotle has turned to AI, integrating a virtual team member named Ava Cado—a chatbot designed to engage with candidates, answer questions, schedule interviews, and send job offers.

Since implementing Ava Cado, Chipotle has seen applicant flow nearly double, while the time from application submission to onboarding has shrunk from eight days to just four.

This AI-driven recruitment strategy is made possible through Chipotle’s partnership with Paradox, a technology company specializing in automating hiring processes.

Why AI Matters for Hiring

The restaurant industry faces constant staffing challenges, especially during peak seasons. By automating administrative hiring tasks, Chipotle’s AI assistant:

• Saves time for hiring managers to focus on restaurant operations.
• Enhances candidate experience with quick responses and seamless scheduling.
• Reduces hiring delays, ensuring stores are fully staffed for increased customer demand.

More Than Just a Job

According to Chief Human Resources Officer Ilene Eskenazi, Chipotle is committed to providing career growth opportunities, emphasizing that employees can “start here, stay here, and reach their career goals.”

With over 130,500 employees as of 2024, including 126,200 restaurant workers, Chipotle is reinforcing its reputation as a company that invests in its workforce while embracing cutting-edge technology to stay ahead in the competitive restaurant industry.

As burrito season heats up, Chipotle’s AI-powered hiring approach could set a new standard for how restaurants recruit and retain top talent.