Newport Beach-based Chipotle Mexican Grill is expanding its Apprentice program to include all restaurant locations in the chain’s current footprint as it builds toward a long-term goal of 7,000 restaurants.
The program selects high-performing employees to become an “Apprentice” as a step before general manager to learn and help oversee restaurant operations; it is utilized in approximately three-quarters of restaurants
Chipotle said it will place one “Apprentice” in each of its restaurants by the end of 2027 to ramp up the number of employees in in-restaurant leadership positions for future openings.
The chain counts more than 4,200 locations as of June and said it expects to open between 350 and 370 new restaurants this year. It is Orange County’s second largest restaurant company with systemwide sales of nearly $12 billion in 2025 (NYSE: CMG).
