Chipotle has great expectations, but recklessly fails to execute them. - Crew Member Chipotle Employee Review

2.0
May 21, 2013
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Free meal during your shift. The quality and integrity of the fresh ingredients are probably the best in fast food. Hourly wage is a about a dollar higher than the industry average. If you can survive the dangers and politics of working for Chipotle, you have the opportunity to earn a position with great pay and benefits.

Cons

I am young (20's) but this is still the most dangerous restaurant that has ever employed me. -Horrible burns from needlessly dangerous cleaning procedures. I would clean a 385 degree tortilla press with just a plastic wool scrubber. It would melt and I would inhale the smoke, every night. One night I was burned on my arm so bad I was shaky and nauseous. When I showed my managers they laughed and told me, "Welcome to the club," and then they proceeded to show off their burns. -You are expected to serve restaurant quality food with restaurant quality customer service without the tips. During spring break, aka 5 thousand dollar per day in sales, I would be lucky to make $5 in tips. Be prepared for people to leave all their trash on the tables without any kind of tip. Chipotle is high quality fast food, and the tips reflect that. -Raw meat is being handled by people that are either uneducated or just plain lazy (this includes management), and when customers complain about it, management simply offers to replace their meal. Raw meat has dangerous implications and the current procedures at Chipotle fails to make safety a priority, for their customers and employees. -During the training process, they push for employee accountability and loyalty, but in practice, the managers really just want you to shut up and do your job without questions. If you criticize procedure, then managers will label you as a complainer and make it their business to single you out for write-ups and fire you. -Lastly, if you are starting out as a crew member, they will squeeze as much out of you as possible. At the beginning, they promise that working for Chipotle is different and better than other fast food companies. These promises are mostly hollow and Chipotle fails to inform applicants of the all too common dangers that are entailed when working for them.

Explore other reviews about Chipotle

5.0
May 12, 2026
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

free food, fun, over time

Cons

micromanage, not much else to say

4.0
Jun 15, 2026
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Lots of flexibility and good company benefits. Cool office space and good people. The company wants you to learn more and give you the opportunity to do so.

Cons

In the corporate space, very limited career growth opportunities. Current manager micromanages but not terribly. Company performance stinks and leadership does not want to take accountability.

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