My thoughts on working at Chipotle.
Pros
Pros of working at Chipotle is learning how to become a cook. Becoming a cook is not easy. There are many skills that one needs to learn to become a good cook: prioritization, time management, keeping your station clean, communication, seasoning food, cooking/storing food at correct temperatures, how to be efficient. These are transferrable skills that you can learn if you push yourself. You'll be tired, exhausted, develop calluses on your fingers, but you will become like those cooks you see on TV or that uncle who knows how to throw down. I've had customers ask for me because of how good the food was. When you care about the food (how it was made, the quality), the only outcome is just delicious food. It's very rewarding when you put the effort in. Not just that, everyone you work with appreciates you because of the hard work you put in day in and day out. I left after three years because because I graduated and passed my exam for my nursing license. I don't care about the pay personally. It's a minimum wage job. You make $16/hour. Each shift (if you're grill or prep) is 7-8 hours. If you work 70 hours/week, you can make about $1000/week. If you want hours, you can work at multiple locations. Every location needs workers. You can communicate with your manager and another manager about days/hours you would like to be scheduled. Another thing to note is that there is credibility among workers. If you're a reliable worker, you will have good credit. Your manager is more inclined to work with you if you have a request for hours, days off, etc. If you are a worker who does not give effort (being lazy), you will have less credit and the manager will only give you few hours. This is not a favoritism. If you were the manager and you hired someone that does not try, would you give them hours? Lastly, just have fun and work hard. It can be a great community if you make it. Avoid gossiping, creating drama, being petty, etc. This is advise for anyone going to work anywhere. If problems arise, talk about it with your coworker/manager and be an adult. Problems will always exist, but it's how you deal with them makes you mature. If you start thinking,"I'm not being paid enough" or "it's too tough". You're not wrong. It's not for everyone. That is okay. But if you are open to challenging yourself, this is a great opportunity. If don't like challenges or unwilling to take on the challenge, don't do it. There are other pros that the manager will share with you upon hiring (health benefits, discounts, school tuition reimbursement), but these things are materialistic and does not hold weight for me. It's the invaluable experiences that have weight. But if you are looking for money, an easy job, with benefits, this may not be the job for you. Just being honest.
Cons
My biggest complaint is about Chipotle as a corporation. Chipotle is business first and foremost. They are strict about food costs, food quality, scheduling, recipes, etc. I understand perfectly about these issues because I have worked in restaurants for more than 15 years and have a degree in restaurant management. However, there is a point where corporate becomes to idealistic to generate their profit. As of late, training and scheduling has become a huge issue on the restaurant side due to unrealistic demands by corporate. Furthermore, managers are pressured to promote staff to become service managers and kitchen managers due to a shortage. There is nothing wrong with promotions; however, the promotions are occuring without training. As result, there is high frustration among staff members, lack of efficiency, high food costs, closing staff staying longer to finish cleaning, which means chipotle has to pay more to employees for staying longer (good for employees, bad for business). It's just constant frustration when corporate gets involved.