Chipotle Expands Its Apprentice Role to All Stores

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced enhancements to its Apprentice leadership program on 15 September 2026. The restaurant chain aims to assign an apprentice to each of its more than 4,200 company-owned locations by the end of 2027. Apprentices currently operate in roughly three-quarters of the company's restaurants.

The management push supports Chipotle's long-term target of operating 7,000 restaurants across the United States and Canada. The company expects to open between 350 and 370 new locations during 2026. Internal promotions drive the workforce, with more than 85% of restaurant managers starting out as crew members.

The initiative also ties into the 10th anniversary of Chipotle's Cultivate Education partnership with Guild. Nearly 25,000 employees have enrolled in education programs over the past decade, and more than 14,000 have completed them. Of those graduates, 57% earned a college degree and 43% earned a certificate. Chipotle pays 100% of tuition for select degree programs and provides up to $5,250 annually for other eligible educational expenses.

Enrolled workers post a 66% lower average annual turnover rate and secure promotions approximately 1.4 times as often as non-participating staff. The company employed nearly 140,000 people across its global portfolio as of 30 June 2026.