CHIPOTLE TEAMS UP WITH ELITE COLLEGE ATHLETIC PROGRAMS TO FUEL STUDENT ATHLETES WITH REAL FOOD
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced a significant expansion of its college athlete support program for the 2025-26 school year. The initiative will provide nearly 2,000 student athletes at The Ohio State University, University of Florida, and University of Georgia with customized cards offering one free entrée per week for 15 weeks during their respective athletic seasons.
The program's expansion follows high engagement metrics, with 98% of Ohio State, 94% of Florida, and 80% of Georgia student athletes regularly consuming Chipotle. Additionally, the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation is providing educational support through a full-ride scholarship at Ohio State's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and over $100,000 in undergraduate research awards at the University of Florida.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) ha annunciato una notevole estensione del suo programma di supporto agli atleti universitari per l'anno accademico 2025-26. L'iniziativa fornirà a quasi 2.000 studenti-atleti della The Ohio State University, dell'University of Florida e dell'University of Georgia tessere personalizzate che garantiscono un entrée gratis a settimana per 15 settimane durante le rispettive stagioni sportive.
L'espansione del programma arriva dopo elevati tassi di partecipazione, con il 98% degli atleti di Ohio State, il 94% di quelli della Florida e l'80% di quelli della Georgia che consumano regolarmente Chipotle. Inoltre, la Chipotle Cultivate Foundation offre supporto educativo con una borsa di studio completa presso il College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences di Ohio State e oltre 100.000$ in premi per la ricerca undergraduate all'University of Florida.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) anunció una importante ampliación de su programa de apoyo a atletas universitarios para el ciclo 2025-26. La iniciativa proporcionará a casi 2.000 estudiantes deportistas de The Ohio State University, University of Florida y University of Georgia tarjetas personalizadas que ofrecen una entrada gratis por semana durante 15 semanas durante sus respectivas temporadas deportivas.
La expansión del programa se produce tras altos índices de participación, con el 98% de los atletas de Ohio State, el 94% de Florida y el 80% de Georgia consumiendo Chipotle con regularidad. Además, la Chipotle Cultivate Foundation brinda apoyo educativo mediante una beca completa en el College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences de Ohio State y más de 100.000$ en premios de investigación de pregrado en la University of Florida.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG)은 2025-26 학년도에 대학 선수 지원 프로그램을 대폭 확대한다고 발표했습니다. 이 이니셔티브는 거의 2,000명의 학생 선수에게 맞춤형 카드를 제공하여 각자의 시즌 동안 15주간 매주 1회 무료 앙트레를 이용할 수 있게 합니다. 대상 학교는 오하이오주립대, 플로리다대, 조지아대입니다.
이번 확대는 높은 참여율에 따른 것으로, 오하이오주립대 선수의 98%, 플로리다 94%, 조지아 80%가 정기적으로 Chipotle을 이용하고 있습니다. 또한 Chipotle Cultivate Foundation은 교육 지원으로 오하이오주립대 식품·농업·환경과학대학의 전액 장학금과 플로리다대 학부 연구상으로 10만 달러 이상을 제공하고 있습니다.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) a annoncé une importante extension de son programme de soutien aux athlètes universitaires pour l'année scolaire 2025-26. L'initiative offrira à près de 2 000 étudiants-athlètes de The Ohio State University, de l'University of Florida et de l'University of Georgia des cartes personnalisées donnant droit à une entrée gratuite par semaine pendant 15 semaines au cours de leurs saisons sportives respectives.
Cette expansion fait suite à des taux d'engagement élevés, avec 98 % des athlètes d'Ohio State, 94 % de ceux de Florida et 80 % de ceux de Georgia consommant Chipotle régulièrement. De plus, la Chipotle Cultivate Foundation apporte un soutien éducatif via une bourse complète au College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences d'Ohio State et plus de 100 000$ en prix de recherche de premier cycle à l'University of Florida.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) hat eine bedeutende Ausweitung seines Unterstützungsprogramms für College-Athleten für das Studienjahr 2025–26 angekündigt. Die Initiative stellt fast 2.000 Studentensportlern an der The Ohio State University, der University of Florida und der University of Georgia personalisierte Karten zur Verfügung, die eine kostenlose Hauptspeise pro Woche für 15 Wochen während ihrer jeweiligen Seasons bieten.
Die Programmausweitung erfolgt nach starken Nutzungswerten: 98% der Athleten an Ohio State, 94% an Florida und 80% an Georgia konsumieren Chipotle regelmäßig. Zudem unterstützt die Chipotle Cultivate Foundation die Ausbildung mit einem Vollstipendium am College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences der Ohio State und mit über 100.000$ an Undergraduate-Forschungszuschüssen an der University of Florida.
- Partnership reaches nearly 2,000 student athletes across three major universities
- High brand engagement with 94-98% of student athletes at partner universities already consuming Chipotle regularly
- Strategic expansion of NIL program to include all scholarship and walk-on athletes
- Investment in agricultural education through scholarship programs and research funding
- None.
Insights
Chipotle expands college athlete partnerships to build brand loyalty among influential Gen-Z consumers and leverage the growing NIL landscape.
Chipotle is strategically expanding its college athletics marketing program from a single university to three major athletic powerhouses - Ohio State, Florida, and Georgia. This calculated move will provide nearly 2,000 student athletes with a free weekly entrée during their respective seasons, effectively democratizing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) benefits across all athletes at these institutions, not just star players.
The expansion reveals three critical insights about Chipotle's marketing strategy:
- The company is doubling down on college athletics as a key demographic after seeing strong results from the initial Ohio State program
- Data shows exceptional brand penetration among these athletes already (98% of Ohio State athletes eat Chipotle monthly)
- Chipotle is positioning its food as performance fuel for athletes, reinforcing its "real food" brand positioning
This approach is particularly shrewd as it transforms thousands of campus influencers into brand ambassadors while creating authentic content featuring high-profile athletes. The accompanying ad campaigns featuring national champions further associate Chipotle with athletic excellence.
Beyond immediate marketing benefits, Chipotle is building long-term brand loyalty with Gen-Z consumers while simultaneously supporting agricultural education through substantial scholarships at these universities - creating a comprehensive ecosystem around their "real food" messaging. This holistic approach to college marketing represents a sophisticated evolution of Chipotle's brand strategy targeting a demographic that will drive growth for decades.
- For the 2025-26 school year, all student athletes at The Ohio State University, University of
Florida and University ofGeorgia will receive a customized card granting them free Chipotle for the duration of their respective athletic seasons - Chipotle's program will allow nearly 2,000 student athletes to benefit from NIL
- Chipotle launched two new ads that tap into the passion of college football: one featuring The Ohio State University football players Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles and Carnell Tate and the second starring University of
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway and former basketball guard Walter Clayton Jr.
Photo assets for all three schools can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ws1vmdyav4wtfxss8hmed/AJQB8dQbxUnOhtnKo7nonTk?rlkey=qn0wj9aldb19h6e17uimeopqt&st=ti927j8d&dl=0.
Buckeyes, Gators and Bulldogs' Passion for Real Food
The Ohio State University, University of
98% of student athletes at The Ohio State University eat Chipotle at least once a month*94% of University ofFlorida student athletes consider Chipotle to be one of their top three favorite restaurants*- Nearly
80% of University ofGeorgia student athletes consider Chipotle to be an important part of their training regimen*
"Our restaurants near each of these universities are frequently filled with student athletes looking for a quick and nutritious meal that can help them thrive in the classroom and on the field," said Chris Brandt, President, Chief Brand Officer at Chipotle. "By expanding our college card program to three universities this academic year, we're democratizing NIL for nearly 2,000 student athletes and increasing their access to real food when they need it the most."
"We're excited to continue growing this collaboration with a brand that shares our commitment to empowering student athletes to be their authentic and best selves," said Logan Hittle, The Ohio State University's Associate Athletic Director, NIL & Strategic Initiatives.
"Partnering with Chipotle is thrilling for us, and we appreciate the brand's commitment to include every student athlete," said Darren McPhail, General Manager of Florida Gators Sports Properties. "We're passionate about doing everything we can to set our athletes up for success, and we believe this collaboration with Chipotle helps us do just that."
"Chipotle's emphasis on real ingredients resonates deeply with our entire athletic program," said Alan Thomas, Senior Associate Athletic Director, University of
Confetti: The Buckeyes Are Locking in on What's Next
The Ohio State University football team reached the pinnacle of the sport last season. Now, they are locking in as they attempt to do it again. In Chipotle's new ad, safety Caleb Downs, linebacker Sonny Styles and wide receiver Carnell Tate highlight how they are pushing themselves to the next level in pursuit of a repeat national title.
The ad can be seen in its entirety here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DN0j6kK3Lt4/?hl=en.
Next in Line: The Legacy Continues at the University of
Chipotle also launched an ad featuring University of
The ad can be seen in its entirety here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DN0fQne3Or8/.
Chipotle worked closely to develop these school and athlete partnerships with Ohio State Sports Properties, Florida Gators Sports Properties and Georgia Bulldogs Sports Marketing, the athletics multimedia rights holders of their respective athletics departments and locally based teams of Learfield, the media and technology company powering college athletics.
Cultivating Real Opportunities to Support Real Food
To further support students and continue the company's advocacy for the future of farming and sustainably sourced ingredients, the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation has established a four-year scholarship for an in-state student attending The Ohio State University's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. The scholarship will cover the full cost of attendance for a student pursuing a degree in agricultural-related studies. Students must be in good academic standing to be eligible for the scholarship.
The Chipotle Cultivate Foundation is also providing over
*Based on survey data from over 1,100 student athletes across The Ohio State University, University of
About Chipotle
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. There are over 3,800 restaurants as of June 30, 2025, in
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SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill
FAQ
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