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Every day, the QSR landscape becomes increasingly digital. With <a href="https://1851franchise.com/qsr-magazine-mobile-ordering-races-to-a-38-billion-future-2704150">digital ordering constantly growing</a> and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/who-needs-a-server-the-dine-in-mobile-ordering-trend-is-picking-up-steam-2711340#stories">mobile pick-up orders becoming more popular than ever</a>, Chipotle has been at the front of this movement for some time, developing new technologies from voice automated ordering to grab-and-go shelves as a way to digitalize its offering.&nbsp;This year, Chipotle has invested heavier than ever in its digital future, deploying <a href="https://1851franchise.com/chipotlanes-why-chipotle-is-shifting-its-real-estate-strategy-to-prioritize-mobile-pick-up-lanes-2711409">digital order pickup lanes dubbed Chipotlanes</a>. It also launched a new loyalty program—<a href="https://www.chipotle.com/rewards?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-chipotles-online-business-achieved-1-billion-in-sales-2711652" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chipotle Rewards</a>—and revamped its online catering platform to create a more seamless experience for both customers and crew members.The investment seems to be paying off. Digital has been growing exponentially for the restaurant, <a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/chipotle-to-build-60-chipotlanes-by-years-end/565650/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-chipotles-online-business-achieved-1-billion-in-sales-2711652" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">generating $256 million during the third quarter</a>, an increase of 87.9% compared to the previous year’s quarter.&nbsp;In addition to streamlined online pick-up ordering, Chipotle has prioritized <a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/chipotle-leverages-ai-for-phone-orders/559887/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-chipotles-online-business-achieved-1-billion-in-sales-2711652" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">voice automation for phone orders</a>, which rolled out across its system this year. The chain will join <a href="https://1851franchise.com/can-i-take-your-order-why-voice-ordering-is-revolutionizing-the-foodservice-space-2710983">the emerging trend of using artificial intelligence to improve the ordering experience</a> while boosting operational efficiency and freeing up employees from doing time-consuming tasks at the same time.In 2017, <a href="https://www.tatango.com/blog/how-it-works-text-message-a-pizza-emoji-to-order-dominos/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-chipotles-online-business-achieved-1-billion-in-sales-2711652" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Domino's began offering the ability ordering via emoji</a>, while <a href="https://ir.wingstop.com/news-and-events/news/press-release-details/2017/Wingstop-Launches-Voice-Activated-Ordering-for-Amazon-Alexa/default.aspx?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-chipotles-online-business-achieved-1-billion-in-sales-2711652" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wingstop</a> and <a href="https://news.dunkindonuts.com/news/alexa-order-from-dunkin-donuts-dunkin-donuts-expands-order-anywhere-accessibility-with-amazon-alexa-integration?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-chipotles-online-business-achieved-1-billion-in-sales-2711652" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dunkin'</a> also offer <a href="https://ir.wingstop.com/news-and-events/news/press-release-details/2017/Wingstop-Launches-Voice-Activated-Ordering-for-Amazon-Alexa/default.aspx?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-chipotles-online-business-achieved-1-billion-in-sales-2711652" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">voice ordering</a>. Starbucks launched <a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/starbucks-launches-voice-ordering-with-alibaba-in-china/563235/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-chipotles-online-business-achieved-1-billion-in-sales-2711652" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">voice ordering</a> in China earlier this year. The QSR burger chain <a href="https://www.chainstoreage.com/technology/sonic-hears-its-customers-with-ai-and-voice-ordering/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-chipotles-online-business-achieved-1-billion-in-sales-2711652" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sonic also began testing a voice-automated menu in May</a> through a partnership with Mastercard and kiosk vendor ZIVELO.&nbsp;AI technology also allows franchisors to collect data on customer preference, monitor sales activity to predict future supply chain needs and help with scheduling employees to maximize workflows. For example, <a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/how-tgi-fridays-uses-machine-learning-to-scale-personalization/566032/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-chipotles-online-business-achieved-1-billion-in-sales-2711652" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TGI Fridays has been using machine learning</a> for guest customization and employee scheduling. Earlier this year, McDonald’s began <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-tests-robot-fryers-and-voice-activated-drive-throughs-11561060920?mod=searchresults&amp%3Bpage=1&amp%3Bpos=1&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-chipotles-online-business-achieved-1-billion-in-sales-2711652" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">testing voice-activated drive-thrus and deep-frying robots.</a>When it comes to the digital world, Chipotle has just barely scratched the service and yet the first three quarters of the year have <a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/digital-restaurant-orders-growing-at-a-double-digit-clip/556780/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-chipotles-online-business-achieved-1-billion-in-sales-2711652" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">generated $725 million in digital sales</a>, meaning the chain could close in on $1 billion by the end of 2019 if the fourth quarter proves to have $200 million or more in digital sales. Not too bad!To read more, click <a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/chipotles-digital-business-is-closing-in-on-1b-sales-heres-how-it-got-t/567254/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-chipotles-online-business-achieved-1-billion-in-sales-2711652" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a>.

Chipotle's Online Business Success | 1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise

The chain is making a mark in the QSR digital landscape by utilizing artificial intelligence and rolling out new online ordering techniques and platforms. 


How Chipotle's Online Business Achieved $1 Billion in Sales

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