- Chipotle's new digital makeline test uses intelligent
automation to build bowls and salads while Chipotle employees
operate the top makeline to make burritos, tacos, and
quesadillas
- Designed and built by Hyphen, the cobotic (collaborative robot)
system is being tested at the Chipotle Cultivate Center in
Irvine, California
NEWPORT
BEACH, Calif., Oct. 3, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced today
it is testing an automated digital makeline in collaboration with
Hyphen, a foodservice platform designed to help restaurant owners,
operators, and budding chefs move their business forward by
automating kitchen operations. Bowls and salads are created by an
automated system that moves the entrées through the bottom makeline
where ingredients for the order are dispensed automatically. In
tandem, a Chipotle team member can leverage the top makeline to
create burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and kid's meals for the same
digital order.
See Chipotle's Hyphen digital makeline in action here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/iw25pty61afy691q1muae/CBJ-Suite-Branding_2023_CutsV3.mp4?rlkey=h3rx9pg9xamsc15sslkb8b5cf&dl=0
Photos of the Hyphen digital makeline can be accessed here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/u6ztgsltg9nsixc/AAC2TiXAbhwAJorEyieBjdK-a?dl=0.
How It Works
- Digital orders would be placed via the Chipotle app,
Chipotle.com, or third-party platforms.
- If the order included a bowl or salad, those entrées would be
routed to Hyphen's automated system. The bowl traverses along the
bottom makeline and positions itself under the specified ingredient
container. The intelligent dispensers dynamically portion each
ingredient into the bowl. If the order included burritos, tacos,
quesadillas, or kid's meals, a Chipotle team member would use the
top of the same makeline to create those entrées.
- The completed bowl or salad would be raised from the bottom
makeline and revealed at the end of the makeline through an opening
in the countertop. A Chipotle team member would place a lid on the
entrée and add any final items such as chips, side salsas, or
guacamole to the order.
- Completed orders would be placed in their designated pick-up
area: in-restaurant pickup shelves, walk-up window, or
Chipotlane.
Impact on Chipotle Team Members and
Guests
Approximately 65% of all Chipotle digital orders are
bowls or salads, so the cobotic digital makeline has the potential
to free up more time for employees to service the front makeline
and deliver exceptional hospitality, while simultaneously
increasing capacity for digital orders during peak periods.
The new digital makeline could also help enhance digital
order accuracy, improving the guest experience.
"Chipotle's new digital makeline built by Hyphen embodies our
commitment to leveraging robotics to unlock the human potential of
our workforce, ensuring an elevated dining experience for our
guests," said Curt Garner, Chief
Customer and Technology Officer. "Our goal is to have the automated
digital makeline be the centerpiece of all our restaurants' digital
kitchens."
Chipotle's Investment in Hyphen
Chipotle invested in
Hyphen as part of Cultivate Next, the company's $50 million venture fund that intends to make
early-stage investments into strategically aligned companies that
further its mission to Cultivate a Better World and help accelerate
its aggressive growth plans. As a people-first company, Chipotle is
seeking opportunities that will elevate the human experience for
its teams as well as increase access and convenience for its
guests. Investments may include innovations in farming and supply
chain, advanced robotics, alternative proteins, and more.
Through Cultivate Next, Chipotle also invested in Vebu, a
product development company that works with food industry leaders
to co-create intelligent automation and technology solutions.
Earlier this year, Chipotle and Vebu unveiled the Autocado, an
avocado processing cobotic prototype that cuts, cores, and peels
avocados before they are hand mashed to create the restaurant's
famous guacamole.
About Chipotle
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:
CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced,
classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without
artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle had over
3,250 restaurants as of June 30,
2023, in the United States,
Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of
its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. Chipotle is ranked on the Fortune 500
and is recognized on the 2023 list for Fortune's Most Admired
Companies and Time Magazine's Most Influential Companies. With over
110,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest
experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food
industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible
to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated
purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable
business practices. For more information or to place an order
online, visit www.chipotle.com.
About Hyphen
Hyphen is a foodservice platform designed
to help restaurant owners, operators, and budding chefs move their
business forward by automating kitchen operations. Visit
www.usehyphen.com for more information on Hyphen and its
team.
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SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.