Chipotle Mexican Grill is revolutionizing the way they prepare and serve guacamole with their latest technological innovation. Introducing Autocado, a collaborative robot prototype designed specifically for cutting, coring, and peeling avocados. By implementing this new machine, Chipotle aims to streamline their guacamole preparation process, saving time and increasing efficiency.
Currently, it takes employees an average of 50 minutes to make a single batch of guacamole. However, with Autocado’s assistance, this prep time could be reduced by an impressive 50%, according to Chipotle. The development of Autocado is a joint effort between Chipotle and Vebu, a leading product development company.
Buck Jordan, the CEO of Vebu, states that their robotic company’s mission is to provide workers with more flexibility in their daily tasks through automation technology. Autocado exemplifies this purpose by working alongside Chipotle crew members to create the same delicious guacamole that fans love, but in a much more efficient manner.
Additionally, Vebu is working on incorporating artificial intelligence into Autocado’s functionalities. This future development will enable the robot to assess avocado quality and minimize waste during the preparation process. By continuously evaluating avocado quality, Chipotle can ensure consistent and high-quality guacamole for their customers.
Currently, Autocado is in the prototype phase and is being tested at the Chipotle Cultivate Center in Irvine, California. Alongside Autocado, Chipotle is also testing another robotic innovation called Chippy. Chippy is a tortilla-chip maker that not only fries the chips but also seasons them with salt and lime.
As Chipotle embraces these cutting-edge technologies, they remain committed to delivering exceptional food quality while optimizing their operations. With Autocado and Chippy paving the way for a more efficient future, Chipotle continues to satisfy their customers’ cravings for delicious and fresh Mexican cuisine.
Technology Driving Sales and Efficiency in the Restaurant Industry
Chipotle has always been at the forefront of embracing new technology to enhance its sales and operational efficiency. Being one of the first restaurants to introduce an order-ahead app, Chipotle has since expanded its online ordering capabilities. In fact, digital sales accounted for a significant 39% of its total first-quarter sales this year.
This innovative approach has prompted competitors to follow suit. Nowadays, order-ahead options are commonly available in fast-food chains, along with self-service kiosks.
Efficiency improvement through technology seems to be the new trend. For instance, popular burger chain White Castle has been experimenting with a robot capable of managing an entire frying station. McDonald’s (MCD) recently introduced an automated test restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas, where robots hand customers their drive-through orders. Additionally, Starbucks (SBUX) has implemented a new production procedure called the Siren System, aimed at reducing drink preparation time.
However, incorporating robots into restaurant operations presents its challenges. Despite the announcement of Chipotle’s Chippy robot in March, it has only been implemented in one store as testing continues. Similarly, Starbucks’ Siren System is taking longer than expected to roll out nationwide.
According to TD Cowen analyst Andrew Charles, investors expected a faster pace of the Siren System rollout, which would have provided more confidence in the company’s growth potential. Charles suggests that Starbucks may be opting for a slower rollout tied to new store openings or remodels.
Despite these challenges, Chipotle’s stock saw a 1% increase, reaching $2,076 on Wednesday. Year-to-date, its shares have grown by an impressive 50%.
