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Chipotle adds nationwide delivery

The burrito chain now lets customers order delivery from its app, with provider DoorDash.
Photograph courtesy of Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle Mexican Grill is doubling down on delivery.

The Denver-based burrito chain on Tuesday announced direct delivery at 1,800 of the chain’s locations through DoorDash and is offering the service for free for a limited time on orders of $10 or less.

The service will enable customers to order delivery from Chipotle’s mobile app or its website.

The move is “part of our commitment to make it easy for customers to get the delicious food they love when, where and how they want it,” Curt Garner, chief digital and information officer for Chipotle. “We’re rolling out our own delivery service powered through DoorDash as the last-mile delivery partner.”

Chipotle said that it had evaluated numerous delivery companies but ultimately decided to expand its previous relationship with DoorDash. Delivery is available in the 70 markets where DoorDash operates, covering more than 1,800 of the chain’s locations. The chain operates 2,450 units nationwide.

Chipotle has generated strong sales when it’s made delivery offers. In May, for instance, the company said that its delivery orders increased 667% in the week after announcing its initial partnership with DoorDash—a partnership that came along with a free delivery offer.

A free guacamole offer earlier this summer, meanwhile, led to the company’s best digital sales day in its history and its best summer sales day.

“Access is the No. 1 lever we can pull to drive sales,” CEO Brian Niccol said in July.

In this instance, delivery will be available via the company’s own digital ordering options, rather than through the provider. Chipotle says that its customers can get their orders personalized using the company’s mobile app or website.

The move comes as the company has been quickly building its digital ordering capabilities in recent years, in a bid to bolster sales. The company is adding a second makeline to its restaurants that will handle digital and catering orders to improve speed.

Chipotle has also made other enhancements to its digital orders, including mobile shelving units where customers can pick up their online orders.

The company’s free delivery offer is valid for orders placed through Sept. 12.

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