Chipotle Mexican Grill, the fast-casual chain famous for its big burritos and fresh ingredients, has teamed up with Zipline, the company that has cracked the code on drone delivery. Their partnership, called Zipotle, now delivers tacos, bowls and guacamole to backyards in Rowlett, a Dallas suburb.
To order through Zipotle, download the Zipline app on Apple and Android devices. Customers in Rowlett, near the Chipotle at 3109 Lakeview Parkway, can order as they would for any delivery. The full menu—burritos, quesadillas, salads and all the fixings—is available. Once the order is ready, Chipotle staff will place it in a “Zipping Point,” a designated spot where Zipline’s drones, called Zips, will swoop in to pick it up. These autonomous aircraft will then fly directly to the customer’s location, hover 300 feet above and lower the order to the ground with precision.
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Zipline’s drones are quiet and electric, zero emissions, just like Chipotle’s commitment to sustainability. Each Zip can carry up to 5.5 pounds, with plans to increase that to 8 pounds soon. Built to handle rain, wind and Texas heat, these drones use insulation to keep food hot and fresh. They’re smart enough to avoid obstacles so your burrito will land safely in your backyard or even a public park. The service is available daily from noon to 8pm, with hours expanding to 10pm soon. For now it’s limited to a small group of Zipline users in Rowlett but a broader rollout is planned in the coming weeks.
Since 2016, the company has delivered medical supplies, such as blood products, to rural hospitals in countries like Rwanda. With over 100 million commercial miles flown and 1.6 million deliveries delivered, Zipline’s drones have proven they can handle logistics. Chipotle’s President and Chief Strategy and Technology Officer, Curt Garner, sees this as a natural fit. “Zipotle allows customers to enjoy Chipotle’s food in places traditional delivery struggles to reach, like backyards or parks. It’s a practical solution that keeps the food quality intact and cuts delivery times.”
Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, Zipline’s CEO and co-founder, says tapping a button and watching food “appear” minutes later is like something out of a sci-fi novel. But he says this is the future. For families in Dallas it means lunch or dinner can arrive faster than a car-based delivery and with the added thrill of a drone landing in your backyard. The $2.99 delivery fee plus a 15% service charge (capped at $6) is competitive with other delivery options but the speed and the coolness of a drone sets it apart.
