u/sta3535

Even though we sometimes run out of a product during a closing shift (if the morning crew didn't prep enough for the entire day or if it was busier than expected later in the day) I was always told that we should make whatever we run out of, no matter what (within reason)

However, I've worked at some stores that didn't seem to care if they ran out of something 2-3-4 hours before they closed, despite being told to not worry about making more, since it wasn't a priority at the time

Furthermore, making cheese, guac, lettuce, fajitas, and onions may not be possible during a closing shift (after peak) since they take more time to make, when compared to chips, salsas, and sour cream, along with having to focus on more cleaning and closing duties, which makes more sense than prepping at that time

Even though townhalls are only meant for GM's and FL's, I've always wondered why they don't involve some leaders and AP's?

The obvious answer would be that no one would be able to run the store for the day, but since there's 4 townhall meetings per year, they can always invite a leader (or two) for each meeting (unless if they have no interest in attending)

Even though every Chipotle store is supposed to function similarly within the industry, I've started to wonder why every Chipotle is different from each other? When we're all supposed to be trained the same way as everyone else within the industry?

In my experience, staffing issues and inconsistent leadership + management are the main problems, despite being told that the GM is what makes or breaks a store, since they're in charge of upholding the *Chipotle Standard* no matter what

A security guard offered to help sweep the lobby while I was an SL helping out at a random store (since they were hired for an employee safety issue and had to stay on watch all day from open to close)

We also had a coworker's partner help us out recently: they cleaned the tables, swept the lobby, and even took out some trash for us

This made me wonder how often you deal with random customers asking to help out? Sweeping, cleaning tables, taking out trash, etc?

Even though I work next to a Starbucks location that's connected to a Chipotle, I noticed an employee who was still there 2-3 hours after they closed, which made me wonder how often they deal with late closes?

Even though Chipotle would never pay their grill employees as much as a KL or SL, it makes me wonder how much work grill is at Chipotle, when compared to line & prep cooks?

Even though I used to be a crew member (on and off in between various jobs) since 2020, I didn't become an SL until 2024, which makes me wonder how promotions really work at Chipotle?

For example, I've heard of employees being rushed through the promotion process (less than a year as a crew member or leader) which isn't the standard, from what I've been told

IMO, I feel like 1 year (or slightly longer depending on the person) as a crew member, KL, SL, etc should be plenty of time for them to develop properly, even though it's their choice to move up

However, if they're an external leader or management hire, then their situation is different, depending on how long it takes for them to get used to how Chipotle functions within the industry

Even though I've heard of APs & GMs working 60-70+ work weeks, I've always wondered why they work so many hours (after they hit their 50 hour minimum) considering that properly trained KL's and SL's are capable enough to run the store without any issues, there should be no need for APs and GMs to work that much, from what I've been told

Furthermore, I've also been told that field leaders and team directors work the most out of any leadership position within the company, which makes me wonder if they ever get a day off or at least some PTO once in awhile?

On an extra note, if I ever become an AP someday, how often would I work more than 50-60 hours a week?

Even though I've been told that videos are only allowed to be watched at the store, I'm not sure why I wouldn't be allowed to watch videos at home, despite being told (from my coworkers) that it doesn't matter, as long as each module gets completed (no matter what)

Since we got a new GM, I've been told that all crew members (at my store) will only work part time hours, while the KL's + SL's still get their full time hours

Even though I used to be full time in the past, it makes me wonder if it all depends on the GM and how they schedule + watch labor, since I used to work at a store that only scheduled KL's and SL's anywhere between 32-35 hours per week, which makes sense if a store is struggling with labor, but at the same time, restaurants like Chipotle may not be good if you're looking for full time hours, which is why I work elsewhere

On an extra note, the only way to get more hours is to help out other stores around the area, which isn't always guaranteed as well

Even though I mostly close, I sometimes get asked to open or work mid shift instead, depending on the day, and I've always been told that it all depends on the situation, since we sometimes find ourselves in situations where we're waiting for our scheduled closers to arrive, and the openers (at my store) decide to leave on time (no matter what happens after 4 pm)

However, an opener would stay past 4 pm for occasional staffing emergencies, but they'll complain about having to stay past 4 pm, because of our schedule having people come in between 4 pm and 6 pm, instead of everyone showing up at 4 pm or 430 pm, along with people running late, calling off, or not showing up at all

Furthermore, the openers always say that they have stuff planned after work, but since our current management team doesn't have an issue with it (despite us getting a new AP + GM this week) I'm hoping that we can find and hire some more reliable closers, since we've always had issues with finding enough people to close consistently

Even though every store is different from each other, I've always wondered what's it like to work at stores similar to Michael's, Big Lots, Hobby Lobby, etc (including certain mall stores that aren't as busy, when compared to Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, etc)