Companies that Care: Chipotle

An interview with Daniel Banks, Sr. Manager of Benefits, Chipotle...

Tell me about the Café Well program and how “Do Good” came to be.

Chipotle is committed to improving the health and well-being of all our employees. To that end, we have a comprehensive and holistic approach to wellness appealing to each employee’s individual needs. The Café Well program is offered with the intention of empowering and supporting our employees in their journey to physical, emotional, financial and mental well-being. To “Do Good” generally speaking helps to foster the kind of positive environment we want here at Chipotle.

What are some of the random acts of kindness your employees have done?

We have seen our employees find very engaging and creative ways to “Do Good.” Some examples include supporting local recycling projects, volunteering at homeless shelters, complimenting peers, and one of the most popular, which is getting out and meeting new people!

How is “Do Good” making Chipotle a better place to work?

Chipotle’s mission is to Cultivate a Better World. That not only includes our employees, but also our guests and our communities. “Do Good” and the Café Well program help meet that goal by improving employee well-being and satisfaction.

What’s the financial implication to Chipotle – how is it offset by employee moral/mental wellbeing?

We believe that the wellness program is worth the investment for the return the company sees in employee loyalty, engagement and well-being. We have seen improvements in our retention rates and employee engagement levels that would support these valuable initiatives.

What other programs does Chipotle offer to get employees engaged in the community?

Chipotle offers a variety of opportunities for employee and community engagement. Most recently, Chipotle launched a new Employee Resource Group (ERG) called Chipotle Serves. Chipotle Serves was created to maintain ongoing opportunities for Restaurant Support Center employees (in Columbus and Newport Beach) to volunteer with their community partners monthly. Designed for evenings and weekends, Chipotle will offer volunteer opportunities with one of their community partners open to employees and their families. Specifically in Columbus, Chipotle Serves partners include Local Matters – Community Gardens, Mid-Ohio Food Bank, and Columbus Recreation and Parks.

How else is Chipotle DOING GOOD?

As a company that’s mission is to Cultivate a Better World, Chipotle is dedicated to ‘doing good’ in many ways. Chipotle invests in its employees, families, farmers, non-profits and local communities. Chipotle hosts fundraisers, donates food and equipment to those in need, assists with disaster relief and so much more.

Chipotle's Key Philanthropic Initiatives last year:

-Donated more than $15.5 million to local community organizations

-Donated 120 pieces of equipment from restaurants

-Provided more than $10.5 million in total tuition assistance to 2,600 employees

-Granted more than $800,000 through our Chipotle Cultivate Foundation

-Gave $540,000 to disaster relief

-Donated $70,000 to charities via corporate giving efforts

-Hosted more than 58,200 fundraisers in our restaurants

-Donated more than 290,000 pounds of food to those in need in our communities -

-Promoted 13,689 people across levels