Chipotle Plans Massive Hiring Spree

Update, September 6: Click here for the registration form you need to fill out to meet the hiring team at a Chipotle location near you. Original story was published on August 24: On Monday morning, amid all the terrible headlines about the U.S. stock market dropping sharply, Chipotle had some good news for the economy: The fast-food company wants to hire 4,000 workers in September. Chipotle will open all of its U.S. locations three hours early for in-restaurant interviews between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9. The Denver-based corporation, which employs nearly 60,000 workers, has plans for more than 200 new outlets before the end of the year, but many of the 4,000 new hires will work in the chain's nearly 1,900 existing locations. According to the Wall Street Journal, the starting wage for a Chipotle crew member is around $10 per hour. The company offers paid time off and sick leave, plus tuition reimbursement, 401(k), and health insurance to all full- and part-time employees. General managers make around $67,000 and upper management — known as "restauranteurs" — can make up to six-figure salaries. The company claims that 95% of managers are promoted from within. Applicants don't have to have prior fast-food experience, but hiring managers have a list of 13 characteristics they look for in potential employees. Traits include being conscientious, respectful, hospitable, high-energy, infectiously enthusiastic, and happy. "Working here isn’t just a job, but a career where employees learn how to make others better, run a successful business, master culinary skills, and most importantly, lead teams of top performers," said Monty Moran, Chipotle's co-chief executive officer, in a press release. Chipotle is just one of many fast-food chains offering more competitive benefits to its hourly workers. In April, Starbucks announced an expanded tuition reimbursement program, and McDonald's and Cheesecake Factory both recently raised their hourly minimum wages.