Chipotle may not be your favorite fast food spot, but sometimes you just need a stacked burrito, some guac, and some of those tortillas that are salty and lime-y in just the right ways and they’re the place to be. Annoyingly, the lines can get a little long and if you’re a busy guy or gal, you may not feel like going in. Now you don’t have to—you can hit up one of the chain’s new walk-up windows.
- It’s an expansion of their “Chipotlanes.” Chipotle recently launched drive-up windows at certain locations known as “Chipotlanes” to make it even more convenient to get a hold of their burritos. Now, walk-up windows will allow customers to get their fix on the go without even having to enter the shop. Sweet!
- How does it work? It’s simple: you order via the Chipotle app on your phone and then head to the window to pick up your order. A lot of companies already offer this feature, from Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts to McDonald’s. It only seems natural that Chipotle follows suit.
- It’s about to be 2020 – companies have to keep up with the times. “While we are staying true to Chipotle’s heritage, we are also excited to integrate new, innovative physical features into the restaurant that complement our growing digital business,” Chipotle Chief Development Officer Tabassum Zalotrawala told NRN in a statement. We’re a culture that wants immediate gratification and options like this are definitely in demand.
- The feature is being tested in certain markets. While not all Chipotles have walk-up windows just yet, the first one opened on December 19 in Chicago, according to Nation’s Restaurant News. There are two additional locations elsewhere in the country, one in Phoenix and one in Cincinnati, to test out the feature and how well it resonates.
- Pick-up shelves are a possibility too. Several reports have suggested that in addition to the walk-up windows, Chipotle is testing out the idea of pick-up shelves, where you can walk in and pick up your order that will be sitting there waiting for you. Delicious!