Chipotle’s Future is on Auto Pilot

 

The consumers is dynamic not static and companies must be as dynamic as their consumers according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® who stated “like it or not autonomous vehicles are on the way, adoption and migration might just be fast / sooner than any of expect.  

That said Chipotle Mexican Grill has invested in a self-driving, robotic delivery company, by participating in a Series C funding round for Nuro, a Mountain View, Calif.-based company that was founded in 2016. Today, Nuro operates a robotic fleet of “on-road, occupant-less and autonomous vehicles to deliver everyday consumer goods,”. Clearly Chipotle is looking a customer ahead.

While the pandemic has accelerated digital usage and tech adoption at restaurants of all sizes. Chipotle saw its digital business grow 174% in 2020, compared to the prior year, with about half of those digital sales coming from delivery Chipotle is clearly looking for ways to reduce delivery cost.

In a statement Chipotle said, “The investment in Nuro is part of the chain’s exploration of “disruptive opportunities outside of traditional third-party partnerships,”

Curt Garner, Chipotle’s chief technology officer, stated, "We are always seeking opportunities that provide innovative solutions for increasing access and convenience for our guests,"… "Nuro could change the traditional delivery model and we believe consumers are going to continue to seek options and additional access points for how and where they enjoy their food."

The Chipotle’s investment in Nuro is the chain’s first “significant” backing of third-party technology company since Brian Niccol took over as CEO in 2018, the chain said. Customers never go backwards.  Chipotle is setting itself up to win in the future?  If you plan to be a ‘player’ you have to step-up to the plate according to Johnson.

So, late 2020, Nuro secured the first and only deployment permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, allowing the company’s driverless cars to operate commercially on roads in two counties near the Bay Area.   Are you looking a customer ahead taking dynamic steps or looking back and setting goals that look more like 2019? 

Foodservice Solutions® specializes in outsourced business development. We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities or a new menu product segment and brand and menu integration strategy.  Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma WA is the global leader in the Grocerant niche visit us on our social media sites by clicking one of the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

Looking for US Foodservice Investments or Opportunity

Foodservice Solutions® team has fielded more inquires for food industry investment opportunity in January 2017 than any January since 1991.  Regular readers of this blog know we regularly work with clients outside of the United States that are looking for quality United States food industry investments.

The United States has always been a melting pot of inclusion.  A place where opportunity is available for every one of every culture; balancing people, vision, profits, with hard work, and intellectual capital.  Are you looking for long term stable food industry focused investments? Give Foodservice Solutions® a try.

Our services include identifying, quantifying, qualifying, opportunity, and conducing due diligence for your prospective investments.  We can conduct due diligence anywhere you like in the United States, we specialize in the food space. 

Our clients can invest in, buy, and have the team at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® manage operations from chains to single units we specialize in food focused companies the ilk of Restaurants, C-stores, Hotels, Grocery Stores, Orchard’s, Wineries, Foodservice Equipment, any regional /national branded retailers, or buildings including strip centers, technology food focused star-ups, mobile marketing companies, Gas Stations, Fuel Companies, and food magazines.

Global chaos and uncertainty are the new reality and undercurrent driving the increase in clients seeking investments in the United States. The US is not immune to that uncertainty either however the size of the US marketplace provides sustainable strategic advantages over the long term.

So let’s cut to the chase of course there is a fee for our service.  That fee is for up-front due diligence.  That fee is required whether you invest / purchase or not, the fee is for the process of due diligence.  Questions and inquires can be emailed directly too:  Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us .   Success does leave clues if you are looking remember since 1991 www.FoodserviceSolutions.us has been the leader within the Grocerant niche.