The popular Mexican fast-food chain, Chipotle has reversed a recent policy that temporarily restricted employees from choosing chicken for their staff meals. This move comes after a week of raised eyebrows and questions about chicken supply.
Chicken Back In Staff Meals
View this post on Instagram
Last week, Chipotle caused a stir when it asked its U.S. and Canadian employees, numbering over 114,000, to forgo chicken in their staff meals. The directive applied to both corporate staff and restaurant workers. The company cited “strong sales” and the need to “maintain supply for our guests” as the reason behind the Chipotle employee meal policy.
However, the move raised concerns about potential chicken shortages for customers. Chipotle quickly addressed these concerns, clarifying that there were no supply chain issues impacting restaurants. Laurie Schalow, the company’s chief corporate affairs and food safety officer, said in a statement released to dailyhunt, “We are not experiencing outages of chicken in our restaurants.”
Also Read: Bored Of Chicken? Make These Spicy Chipotle-Style Shrimps For Dinner
The Al Pastor Affair
View this post on Instagram
So, what was the real reason behind the short-lived chicken ban for employees? It appears the reason may have been the immense popularity of a recently discontinued menu item: Chipotle’s chicken al pastor. Launched in March 2023, the marinated chicken dish quickly became a customer favourite, accounting for a staggering 20% of all orders at its peak. The limited availability of chicken for staff meals might have been a consequence of this unexpected surge in demand.
Thankfully for both employees and chicken enthusiasts, the Chipotle employees’ work meals policy reversal allows staff to once again enjoy chicken in their meals. This move highlights the delicate balance between customer satisfaction and employee well-being that restaurants must navigate. While ensuring a consistent supply of paying customers is paramount, employee morale and satisfaction are also crucial.
Also Read: 7 South Indian Chicken Curries That Will Leave You Salivating
With ever-evolving customer preferences and the need to manage resources efficiently, food chains must be adaptable and responsive. It remains to be seen if Chipotle will consider bringing back the beloved chicken al pastor, but one thing is certain: for now, Chipotle’s employees can breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy the return of chicken to their lunch breaks.
Cover Image Courtesy: Flickr
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.