If you can wrap a burrito, this might be the opportunity for you.
On Monday, Chipotle Mexican Grill announced that it is giving its restaurant workers a substantial raise in which workers will make an average of $15 an hour by the end of next month.
Additionally, current workers who refer another crew member will receive a $200 bonus while those who refer a potential apprentice or general manager will earn an extra $750 in their paycheck.
With all these new changes in the works, Chipotle hopes to hire an additional 20,000 employees.
The announcement comes as the labor market heats up with more people returning to work as COVID-19 restrictions begin to loosen nationwide.
New salaries will also benefit new workers as well. In the coming weeks, hourly wages will range between $11 to $18 per hour across the country. Crew members who work on the food service side of the restaurant will also have more opportunities to quickly climb up the ladder and achieve a restaurateur position, the highest position possible with an average salary of $100,000.
“We are sharing with people that it’s not just a job right now, but it’s actually a job that can lead to a meaningful career,” said Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol on CNBC. “I’m glad we’re a company that’s got the growth, and frankly the strength, to increase wages and start talking more about how the job leads to your future growth with our company.”
Aside from it being difficult for companies both big and small to find work due to extended unemployment benefits that in many cases pay people more to stay home than to work, Chipotle hiring managers have said there are other factors as to why they haven’t hired as many new workers. Many of those who Chipotle hires are young people who face growing uncertainty around school and other factors affecting college-aged individuals.
To combat this, Chipotle is attempting to entice young people with hiring initiatives that take the job fairs to their world. For example, a Thursday job fair will be held on the popular messaging app. Chipotle is also offering benefits such as mental health care, 401(k) plans and debt-free degrees from non-profit schools, according to NBC News.
Other chain restaurants are attempting much of the same as McDonald’s sought to hire 25,000 workers. IHOP and Taco Bell are also searching for new employees as they look to hire 10,000 and 5,000 workers respectively.
