INTRODUCING ZIPOTLE: CHIPOTLE PARTNERS WITH ZIPLINE FOR AERIAL DELIVERY

Rhea-AI Summary

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) has partnered with Zipline to launch Zipotle, an aerial delivery service for digital orders in the Dallas area. The service debuts at the Rowlett, TX location, operating daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT, with plans to extend to 10 p.m.

Zipline's autonomous aircraft, called Zips, will deliver Chipotle's entire menu to eligible customers' locations, hovering at 300 feet before lowering orders to the ground. The service can currently handle orders up to 5.5 pounds, with plans to increase capacity to 8 pounds. Zipline has demonstrated reliability with over 100 million commercial miles flown and 1.6 million deliveries completed globally.

Positive

• Zero-emission, environmentally friendly delivery system
• Expansion into innovative delivery technology could provide competitive advantage
• Ability to serve traditionally challenging delivery locations like backyards and parks
• Quick delivery times maintaining food freshness

Negative

• Limited initial rollout to select customers in Dallas area only
• Restricted delivery weight capacity of 5.5 pounds may limit larger orders
• Limited operating hours from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT initially

Insights

Technology & Innovation Strategist

Chipotle's Zipline drone delivery partnership represents an innovative channel expansion with limited short-term financial impact but strategic positioning for future growth.

Chipotle's new Zipotle aerial delivery service, partnering with autonomous delivery company Zipline, represents a strategic move into cutting-edge delivery technology. The pilot program, launching in the Rowlett area of Dallas, enables delivery of Chipotle's entire menu via Zipline's autonomous aircraft, with deliveries arriving within minutes of flying.

The implementation details reveal a carefully considered rollout strategy: starting with limited availability to select Zipline users before broader expansion, operating initially from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. with plans to extend to 10 p.m., and beginning with a 5.5-pound payload capacity that will increase to 8 pounds. This measured approach allows Chipotle to test and refine operations before scaling.

What's particularly noteworthy is how this service addresses specific customer pain points: enabling deliveries to traditionally challenging locations like backyards and public parks, maintaining food freshness through faster delivery times, and offering an environmentally friendly zero-emissions option. The technology leverages Zipline's proven track record of over 100 million commercial miles flown and 1.6 million deliveries completed, minimizing implementation risk.

From a competitive positioning standpoint, this initiative differentiates Chipotle from competitors in the quick-service restaurant space by offering a novel, technologically advanced delivery option that could potentially improve delivery economics while enhancing customer experience. The service aligns with Chipotle's stated mission to "Cultivate a Better World" through its environmental benefits.

• Starting today, select guests in the Dallas area can have their Chipotle digital orders flown to them using Zipline with the launch of Zipotle's early access program
• Zipline's autonomous aircraft, Zips, travel directly to customers' houses, conveniently delivering orders in just a few minutes of flying

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Aug. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today announced it is partnering with Zipline, the world's largest autonomous delivery system, to fly digital orders to guests' locations in greater Dallas. A small number of Zipline users will have access to Zipotle starting today, ahead of a broader service launch in the coming weeks.

Chipotle's new delivery option, Zipotle, will use Zipline's fleet of quiet, zero emissions aircraft, to make super fast, convenient deliveries that save customers' time and keep orders dine-in fresh. Chipotle's entire menu is eligible for Zipotle delivery.

Zipotle: How It Works

• Guests in the Rowlett area can download the Zipline app on the Apple store or Android store and, if eligible, place their Chipotle order
• Employees will place the order into a Zipping Point, which allows Zips to autonomously pick up the order for delivery
• After flying to its destination, the aircraft will hover about 300 feet in the air, while the Zip lowers to the ground. The Zip automatically avoids obstacles and gently and precisely places the order at the guest's address.
• The Chipotle at 3109 Lakeview Pkwy, Rowlett, TX will be the first to offer Zipotle deliveries. Zipotle will operate seven days a week, initially from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT, and will soon expand to 10 p.m. CT.

See here for a video of Zipotle in action: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/pdeg4ud1z164e19ajx4nh/AMNr8A44e7TrpI31BXvRSd4?rlkey=fnohja6im03fki8xvkaypigq5&st=3algtkqm&dl=0.

"Zipotle is a quick and convenient source of delivery that lets guests enjoy our real food from places that are traditionally challenging to serve, including backyards and public parks," said Curt Garner, President, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer at Chipotle. "Zipline's commitment to building an efficient, environmentally friendly delivery experience is synonymous with our mission to Cultivate a Better World."

"With Zipline, you tap a button, and minutes later food magically appears - hot, fresh, and ultra-fast," said Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO and Co-Founder of Zipline. "Starting today, families in the Dallas area can have food delivered by Zipotle and served for lunch or dinner. What once felt like science fiction is soon going to become totally normal."      

Zipline by the Numbers 
Zipline designs, manufactures and operates its autonomous aircraft, pioneering the use of physical AI in commercial last mile logistics. Zipline delivery is extraordinarily quiet and barely noticeable, and food arrives restaurant-fresh – even in wind, rain, cold or Texas summer heat – thanks to its speed and built-in insulation. Initially, Zipotle will carry orders up to 5.5 pounds and will increase to 8 pounds over time.

Zipline began making autonomous deliveries of medical products to rural hospitals in Rwanda and today delivers to roughly 5,000 hospitals and health facilities around the world. Zips have safely and autonomously flown more than 100 million commercial miles, the equivalent of driving every road in the United States 24 times. To date, Zipline has completed over 1.6 million commercial deliveries using its long range and new home delivery systems; every 60 seconds someone receives a Zipline delivery.

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 the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Kuwait, and United Arab Emirates and it is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. With over 130,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit chipotle.com.

About Zipline
Zipline is the world's largest and most experienced autonomous delivery service. Today it operates on four continents, makes a delivery somewhere in the world every 60 seconds, and serves more than 5,000 hospitals and health facilities. With more than 100 million commercial autonomous miles flown to date, Zipline is transforming access to healthcare, consumer products, and food. Our customers rely on Zipline to save lives, save them time, increase economic opportunity, and provide logistics at scale. For more information, visit Zipline.com.

 

 

 

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SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill

FAQ

What is Zipotle and how does it work with Chipotle (NYSE: CMG)?

Zipotle is Chipotle's new aerial delivery service partnership with Zipline, using autonomous aircraft to deliver food orders directly to customers' locations in the Dallas area, with deliveries made from 300 feet above ground.

Where is Chipotle's Zipotle delivery service available?

Zipotle is currently available only from the Chipotle location at 3109 Lakeview Pkwy, Rowlett, TX, serving select customers in the greater Dallas area.

What are the operating hours for Chipotle's Zipotle delivery service?

Zipotle operates seven days a week from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT, with plans to expand to 10 p.m. CT.

How much can Chipotle's Zipotle drone delivery service carry?

Zipotle can currently deliver orders up to 5.5 pounds, with plans to increase capacity to 8 pounds over time.

How do customers order through Chipotle's Zipotle delivery service?

Eligible customers in the Rowlett area can download the Zipline app from the Apple or Android store to place their Chipotle orders for aerial delivery.