Chipotle is partnering with Hyphen, a food tech startup, to test an automated kitchen line capable of producing up to 180…

Chipotle has agreed to pay $322,400 to settle allegations made by Washington, D.C., that it violated child labor laws by allowing…

Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced its first franchise deal that will bring the chain to the Middle East. The company has…

Chipotle Mexican Grill is testing a robot called “Autocado” to handle avocado slicing and de-pitting, a task that employees reportedly dislike….

Ulta Beauty has become the latest retailer to officially launch a digital innovation venture fund. The fund will invest $20 million in startups “unlocking new technology that fuels greater discovery, personalization, and convenience.” What’s driving the apparent trend of retailers establishing venture funds to invest in digital startups?

While ingredient scooping and burrito rolling remain in the hands of human staff at Chipotle for now, tortilla chip-making duties at the chain may soon be managed by robots. What roles do you see robots playing  in restaurants over the next five years?

TikTok is piloting a program, “TikTok Resumes,” that lets its users apply for jobs on video. Approximately three dozen companies are taking part in the pilot, including Chipotle, Target and Shopify. What do you think of video resumes and the potential of TikTok as a job placement tool?

e.l.f. Cosmetics and Chipotle have collaborated on a limited-edition makeup collection inspired by ingredients used by the Mexican fast-food chain. What’s driving the appeal of the limited-release collaboration between e.l.f. Cosmetics and Chipotle?

Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced plans to open its first “digital-only restaurant.” Do you think digital-only restaurants are a viable option, beyond the pandemic, for operators to expand into areas where they normally would not think to open?

Local restaurants have openly griped about the exorbitant fees charged by third-party delivery providers . Even a national chain like Chipotle isn’t immune to the problem of rising costs.  Does increasing menu prices for delivery seem like the best path for Chipotle and other restaurants to offset higher expenses tied to delivery?

Burger King is testing out a new look at two of its locations, and the new dining experience is looking high-concept. What do you make of brands applying high-concept design elements like “Whopperishness” or “transparency” to improve the appeal of the dining experience?

After a series of struggles mid-decade that painted a bleak picture for the future of Chipotle, the fast-casual burrito chain is rolling out a new redesign to build on its digital momentum as online sales approach $1 billion. What do you see as the greater benefit of Chipotle’s new design: easing online pickup or increasing transparency?

At Chipotle Mexican Grill, workers get paid to take the day off if they’re sick, but they’re often asked to check in with a nurse to validate their condition. Does having on-call nurses sound like a good investment for most restaurants as well as food retailers?

Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced that it is adding a new perk to its employee education benefits package — debt-free college degrees. How important are educational benefits in helping retailers and restaurants to recruit and retain their best employees?

The increased demand for meals that are fresh, complicated and fast has started to create problems for grocers. At an increasing rate, fresh offerings are making people sick. How can grocers safely meet the demand for high-end, fresh prepared meals?

The offer of free burritos hasn’t been enough to help Chipotle Mexican Grill win back customers, so maybe free beer and margaritas will do the trick. Do you think Chipotle can be fixed at this point? What will it take to put the retailer and brand back on a growth track again?

Following a February company-wide closure in response to a series of E. coli and norovirus outbreaks, free entrées were offered to anyone who texted “RAINCHECK” and subsequently provided their zip code. To what degree does Chipotle need freebies and discounts to win back customers?

If Chipotle didn’t have bad luck, it might not have any luck at all. The chain is once again dealing with a health issue related to its restaurants with a report that a location was closed after it was learned employees may have contracted norovirus. Will consumers react better to Chipotle’s decision to close its restaurant in Billerica as a precaution than Wall Street did?

It wasn’t that long ago when analysts were pointing to Chipotle Mexican Grill as the restaurant chain that everyone was looking to emulate. That’s not the case anymore after multiple issues that have brought the chain the type of press that drives sales to other restaurants. What is your assessment of Chipotle’s response to the various outbreaks that have hit its restaurants over the past year?

Starbucks will introduce for the first time “Mobile Order and Pay” nationwide in 2015. The service, to be tested within the Portland area before the end of the year, enables customers to place orders in advance of their visit for a quick pick up. How appealing will the ability to order and pay ahead be for consumers at Starbucks and other chain eateries?

Taco Bell is testing a new concept, U.S. Taco Co., aimed at the fast-casual, Mexican food market but with an American flare. The big difference is that many ingredients are American rather than Mexican inspired. Is a playful American take on the taco a sizeable opportunity in the fast-casual space? What do you think of the rollout potential of U.S. Taco Co.?

Patrons of Chipotle restaurants know that when they order a dish made with beef, chicken or pork, the meat will come from animals that have never been given antibiotics or added hormones. But there is only so much of those to go around. Can Chipotle afford to alter its responsibly raised beef, chicken and pork policies?

As discussed yesterday, iPhone apps are being developed with a variety of objectives. For brands, it’s about engagement. But, for retailers, it’s more likely they’ll want an iPhone app to actually SELL something. Should retailers quickly develop apps, ready for prime-time or not, just to get in the game?