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Chipotle Mexican Grill announced on Tuesday the pilot of two additional technology systems designed to increase speed and improve the digital and in-store guest experience.
At eight Southern California locations, Chipotle in Medellin is testing a “demand-to-demand” kitchen management system designed to reduce food waste by predicting what is needed and when.
Powered by PreciTaste, the system uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to monitor ingredient levels in real-time and inform employees of how much they are preparing and cooking, and when to start cooking, to optimize production and keep ingredients fresh.
According to its website, Precitaste’s technology uses 3D sensors to control food containers and order assembly. It also tracks inventory and analyzes traffic patterns to better predict demand. The system can take into account variables such as weather and environmental events, and the controllers can also help control a room.
“The new kitchen management system eases manual tasks for our staff and gives restaurant managers the tools to make informed decisions, ultimately allowing them to focus on exceptional cuisine and a wonderful guest experience,” said Curt Garner. Chipotle’s chief technology officer said in a statement.
At the same time, Chipotle is testing advanced location-based technology to improve the app’s functionality, or the brand’s “Contextual Restaurant Experience” program.
For opt-in digital guests, the system allows restaurants to notify app users when they arrive. Those guests will see instant messages about when their order is ready or can spot a misplaced reservation. It can also remind Rewards users to scan their QR codes at checkout.
The Contextual Restaurant program uses Radius Networks’ FlyBuy platform, and is being piloted in 73 units in Cleveland, Ohio.
The company’s early results indicate that the program will help increase the efficiency of more in-store rewards participation, notifications and third-party delivery drivers.
“Empowering our restaurants with advanced technologies is critical to operational excellence and better positioning our teams for our ambitious growth plans,” Chipotle Chief Restaurant Officer Scott Boatwright said in a statement.
Flybuy is used to pick up guests at curbside or restaurants at drive-thru locations such as Applebee’s, Panera, Wendy’s, KFC and more.
And, in addition to the new pilots, Chipotle announced Tuesday that a previously announced robot tortilla fryer named Chippy is ready for restaurant testing.
Chippy is still learning the art of chip-making at the chain’s Cultivate Center in Newport Beach, Calif. But next month, it will begin cooking at the Fountain Valley, Calif., location, which is going through the brand’s step-by-step process to identify it. Scheduled release.
Chippy is designed to perform tasks that a group of people dislikes: frying tortilla chips.
But the kitchen management system and context restaurant program are technology investments to accelerate speed and fundamentally improve the guest experience, which the 3,000-unit chain has focused on as it works to reach 7,000 units in North America.
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