Chipotle targets apprentice in every restaurant by end of 2027

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced enhancements to its Apprentice program on Sept. 15, 2026, with a goal of placing an Apprentice in each of its more than 4,200 company-owned restaurants by the end of 2027.

Apprentices currently support approximately three-quarters of Chipotle's restaurants. The company expects to open between 350 and 370 new restaurants in 2026 as it works toward a long-term target of 7,000 restaurants across the U.S. and Canada.

More than 85% of Chipotle's restaurant managers began their careers as Crew Members. The Apprentice role is designed to serve as a step toward becoming a General Manager, with responsibilities that include training oversight and digital makeline operations.

Chipotle also marked the 10th anniversary of its Cultivate Education program, offered in partnership with Guild. Since the program launched, nearly 25,000 Chipotle employees have enrolled in an education program, and more than 14,000 have completed one. Of those completions, 57% earned a college degree and 43% earned a certificate.

Chipotle covers 100% of tuition for select college degree programs and provides up to $5,250 annually toward additional educational opportunities. According to the company, employees enrolled in Cultivate Education experience a 66% lower average annual turnover rate than non-participating peers and are promoted approximately 1.4 times as often.

"Ten years ago, Chipotle made an early bet on the potential of its people," said Bijal Shah, CEO of Guild. "Today, employees participating in Cultivate Education are moving into business-critical roles and staying longer."

Chipotle was ranked No. 2 on Fast Company's 2026 Best Workplaces for Innovators list and was named to TIME's World's Best Companies 2026 list.

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