Chipotle is rolling out a major change at select stores that may finally put an end to customer complaints about skimpy food proportions. The Mexican fast-food chain is testing two robots that will help prepare food at a few locations in California, a test run that could potentially expand to other locations across the country. In a press release , Chipotle said that its new robot, Augmented Makeline, will help prepare food for digital orders, which are mostly bowls and salads.
The robot is expected to improve “employee efficiency and digital order accuracy” as it uses “automated technology to build bowls and salads,” which will enable Chipotle employees to focus more on making “burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and kid’s meals.” The new technology’s unveiling comes after a recent Wells Fargo study revealed that food-portion sizes in burrito bowl orders at Chipotle restaurants across New York City varied significantly. The study found that the heaviest bowls weighed 87 percent more than the smaller ones for digital orders.
Customers have also fiercely criticized the restaurant on social media in recent months for “skimping” on ingredients. In July, Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol revealed that the company found that 10 percent of its restaurants had “outlier portion scores.” He said those locations would undergo training, and generous portion sizes would be reemphasized across all restaurants.
Chipotle also announced in the press release that it would test its n.