We already brought you part one of our list of 15 things you probably did not know about Chipotle, and now we’re back with part two! Check out eight more fascinating facts about the fast casual franchise that you definitely (probably) did not know below. You might be surprised by what you find out!
Number Eight: Their Name Comes From a Nahuatl Word. Nahuatl was the same language used by the Aztecs, and around the seventh century A.D., it was the dominant language in Central Mexico. The Nahuatl word, “chilpoctli” means “smoked chili,” and that’s where Chipotle got their name.
Number Seven: They Have an Exclusive Customer Rewards Program. Heard of the Farm Team? Then you probably haven’t eaten enough Chipotle burritos. The Farm Team is a super exclusive customer rewards program that has an educational focus on the food industry. Customers in the program can win all sorts of free things; however, to join the program, you need an invitation code.
Number Six: They Have Special Signs to Prevent Hungry Criminals. The chain’s delivery trucks have a sign that reads “Drivers Do Not Carry Burritos” on them. The signs are there as a way to let people know not to assault the truck’s drivers for free burritos.
Number Five: Russell Wilson Got Free Burritos for a Year. Wilson, who plays for the Seattle Seahawks, was given free Chipotle burritos for an entire year, and he was even given his own personalized card!
Number Four: They Might Serve Craft Beer. It’s no secret that craft beer is all the rage these days. Well, Chipotle might just be hopping on the train. In the chain’s Chicago restaurants, they sold beer from the local 5 Rabbit Brewery in 2012. The brewery even created a special ale just for the chain.
Number Three: You Can Only Buy “Booritos” on Halloween. It’s true! All of Chipotle’s “burritos” are called “booritos” on Halloween of every year. Booritos are three dollars for people who dress up on Halloween.
Number Two: It Was Never Supposed to Be This Big. Chipotle’s founder, Steve Ells, originally began the chain as a way to make enough money to open a fine dining restaurant. However, it looks like he got a little more than he bargained for.
Number One: The Minimalist Design Was a Way to Save Money. You might think the minimalist design featured in all Chipotle stores was a purposeful move; however, it was really just a way for the franchise to save money. We hope you enjoyed our list of 15 things you didn’t know about Chipotle!