Chipotle, Zipline Partner to Test Autonomous Drone Food Delivery

The program lets customers make an order with Chipotle, where workers will then place an order into a Zipping Point, which allows the aircraft — known as a Zip — to autonomously pick up the order.

Chipotle is teaming up with drone delivery leader Zipline to test autonomous food delivery, as the restaurant industry faces a consumer pullback.

Select customers in the greater Dallas area will have the option to use what Chipotle is calling ‘Zipotle’ delivery through an early access program in the Zipline app. Zipline’s autonomous aircraft will deliver orders to customers’ homes from a Chipotle location in Rowlett, Texas.

A small number of Zipline users will be able to order the full Chipotle menu to start, with a broader service launch in the weeks to come. Any potential expansions in the future would be based on results from the test, Chipotle said.

The program lets customers make an order with Chipotle, where workers will then place an order into a Zipping Point, which allows the aircraft — known as a Zip — to autonomously pick up the order. After flying to its destination, the aircraft will hover about 300 feet in the air, while the Zip, a robot, lowers to the ground.

“The exciting thing about drone delivery is we don’t need to have specific drone locations at every restaurant to make this effective,” said Curt Garner, President and Chief Strategy and Technology Officer at Chipotle. 

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“Because of the coverage radius of drones, it might only be one restaurant in a particular neighbourhood that can service the entire neighbourhood. So that makes national expansion easier, finding those locations and then equipping them with Zipline.”

“I think the younger consumer remains an enormous market opportunity for us. They’re the biggest fans of Chipotle already,” added Garner.

“They do skew higher to delivery than older consumers, and they’re a curious group of people that want to try new things. And based upon how many younger people live together in apartments or in shared housing, drone delivery is a really good option.”

Zipline is launching Chipotle deliveries with its Platform 2 models, which are insulated to withstand rain, cold, and heat. The company has said they are also fast and quiet.

Initially, the Zipotle delivery service will carry orders up to 5.5 pounds, which will increase to 8 pounds over time. The delivery costs $2.99, plus a 15% service fee capped at $6. Zipotle will operate seven days a week from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT, with plans to expand to 10 p.m. CT.

“It’s a better product experience. It’s better for the environment, it’s less expensive, and importantly, it also increases access,” said Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO, Zipline.

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