California Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants are introducing two robots that can replace human employees and help the major restaurant chain avoid the Democratic state’s $20 minimum wage requirements.
In a press release on Monday, the popular food chain wrote, “Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced today Autocado, its avocado processing cobotic prototype developed in partnership with Vebu that cuts, cores, and peels avocados before they are hand mashed to create the restaurant’s signature guacamole, and the Augmented Makeline, a cobotic makeline built in collaboration with Hyphen, are being tested in Chipotle restaurants for the first time.”
According to Monday’s press release, the “autocado” is capable of turning an avocado into guacamole in just 26 seconds, while the “digital makeline” is capable of quickly handling the portioning of salads and bowls purchased on the restaurant chain’s mobile app. The restaurant chain noted that the machines are currently being used at Chipotle locations in Corona del Mar and Huntington Beach.
The Daily Mail reported that the introduction of the two robots comes as Chipotle’s executives aim to reduce the number of employees at some of its locations due to the rising cost of labor, specifically in California. A $20 minimum wage law, which was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) and took efect in April, requires chains with over 60 locations in the United States to pay employees at least $20 per hour in California.
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According to The Post Millennial, other restaurant chains, such as Burger King, have decreased the number of employees at California locations by implementing digital ordering terminals and other automation methods.
In the recent press release, Chipotle claimed that the introduction of the two different kinds of robots will increase the efficiency of its operations and provide a “great experience” for its customers.
“These robotic devices could help us build a stronger operational engine that delivers a great experience for our team members and our guests while maintaining Chipotle’s high culinary standards,” Chief Customer and Technology Officer Curt Garner said. “Optimizing our use of these systems and incorporating crew and customer feedback are the next steps in the stage-gate process before determining their broader pilot plans.”
A video of the new robots was shared on X, formerly Twitter, by Fortune 500. The video demonstrates how the new robots will assist employees at Chipotle’s locations in California.
