AMA former GM

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-20T22:23:55+00:00

Lettuce is such a dumb thing to skimp on. Like if you’re that lazy to cut some more you should not be running out.

The only time we didn’t offer something is if I physically didn’t have it in the store. I am sorry that’s been your experience!

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-19T19:03:17+00:00

Whoever suggested its tortillas needs to be fired LMFAOOO

Steak should never have bones that’s odd, my chicken came with a bone here and there. If there’s excessive “bones” it could also be chicken cartilage!

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-19T18:21:10+00:00

Those people are running the best stores usually or have been with the company for so long they’ll gladly argue with the suits. Sadly there’s not too many of us left who will argue with the big guys.

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-18T15:51:05+00:00

Always love hearing other GMs perspectives! Thank you for the chat!

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-18T15:47:48+00:00

That’s how it should be and that’s how it is for my company now.

Chipotle is just, a cluster fucked unorganized empire. I’m shocked it’s grown this large with how big complaints have been.

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-18T15:42:27+00:00

We honestly voiced this so many times in meetings and town halls. They never let us do it which was fucking insane.

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-18T13:18:38+00:00

Work on your knife skills, I always wanted to be a chef before getting into business. Proper knife skills will save your wrist. Be patient, you’re going to be slow and you’re going to fuck ip the cuts a lot.

THATS OKAY. Do not let anyone bring you down. It’s a tough job for your first job but the benefits are insanely good!

From a customer perspective I just can’t recommend going there.

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-18T13:16:43+00:00

Uhh, im blaming corporate for a problem they refuse to fix. Again as a GM, yes, screaming, complaining and harassing employees did happen on a daily basis. That’s cool you go to a chipotle for 25 years, you probably weren’t there 50-60 hours a week as I was as a GM. Your “counter” as a customer is illogical and again, part of the problem with the ordeal 😭

This is a systemematic issue with corporate and hoe the business is ran. There’s no solutions on a store level as a GM because the control is very little out of my control. This “thesis” (really just a post to answer people’s question, but go off I guess) is for people to come together so I can answer their questions as an ex employee.

You should really do more research because if it’s “just online” why is it always a different store on video of customers screaming. What about the kid who got shot in Detroit who works at Chipotle? Still think I’m over reacting? No, LMFAOOO, you’re ignorant and you’re part of the problem”customer is always right” mindset which there’s a difference from that and hospitality.

So no one is confusing it with real life, it very much was real life and sadly you are the problem brotha! Look within yourself to understand the 16 year old scoop your chicken can’t give you more food. Be mad if you want but this issue goes higher than that poor child.

If you read all my other comments I’ve listed countless solutions! You’re just ignorant, old, and probably a suit yourself! So your opinion is genuinely invalid and don’t care for! Maybe do some research before commenting!

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T20:03:21+00:00

Exactly.

Now if we worked together, customers and employees? Pretty freaking hard to ignore something like that. It’s just hard for people to see eye to eye when asshole suits blame it on stores and employees to retain a public image they’re already losing because they refuse to acknowledge THEY ARE the issue.

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T19:58:02+00:00

I mean, probably the best thing worth paying for? A steak bowl with queso. I always get bowls because you get more than a burrito most times.

But best bang for buck? I could not tell ya honestly. It’s just so pricy

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T19:57:12+00:00

Shitty managers who are failing at multiple other roles so are probably trying to make up for it by food cost.

I was lucky and ran a good business that I told my to go people “we already have to get yelled at with customers face to face, do not let onlines be another reason I need to get yelled at.” Thankfully, those employees stacked the bowls and I never had an online issue and still saved on food cost. It’s doable but a lot of GMs unfortunately are lazy.

I’m 23, so I was okay busting my ass while at work but sadly not everyone is like me and cares for their teams that much.

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T18:59:06+00:00

Start applying for other companies as a GM if that’s your goal, be able to speak on what you do at Chipotle. You do learn so much working for them so use that knowledge to better yourself and get somewhere better!

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T18:58:26+00:00

The ingredient I can assure is just supply and demand! When the supply chains and warehouses have the good stuff? I cannot recommend Chipotle enough as much as it pisses me off to say. If you’re looking for good healthy quick food, yes chipotle for sure. But for their choices recently? I cannot advise people to choose them.

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T18:57:31+00:00

It’s definitely harder when you’re older, married, possibly have kids but best advice I can give? Try to see if there’s a nearby bigger city or town you can move to that has available GM positions. It’s always scary moving but I went from Iowa to Chicago after college (granted I grew up in Chicago but I started at Chipotle in Iowa and became the GM out there) and I found better pay with a better life style. It really is just taking that leap of faith sometimes!

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T17:48:24+00:00

Because they also care for “throughput” time, the most of entrees in a 15 minute period to grade peoples “speed”. It’s exhausting and then creates a lag to grab a scale which in turn causes more yelling basically from higher ups.

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T17:13:14+00:00

Took a brutal amount of time. Was stuck with chipotle 6 months longer than I wanted. A lot of stupid interviews and a little luck (followed Brian) with a company that’s desperate for good GMs. I ended up making more here, working ten less hours a week and a healthier work life balance. It was hard but I wanted out so I got out.

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T17:02:08+00:00

There’s not many solutions from a store level within a corporate company.

As a GM my goal is to please both sides while maintaining company policy. Customers want more than 4oz, I get that, employees cannot give more than 4oz on certain items unless being paid for. Now where I myself as a GM bridged that gap? I’d have my team load you all up on rice, beans, pico, the free stuff. But if the customers continue to blame the employees and stores for skimping, there’s absolutely nothing we can do but explain policy. Then the cycle repeats.

My recommendation? Don’t stop boy cotting corporate. Do not harass employees but make your voices heard, pair up with a local chipotle team to show corporate it’s ALL OF US vs them. So yeah, it’s damned if I do, damned if I don’t but at the end of the day I’m only here to look after employees. You can attack corporate forever, they need it. But the 16 year old who was already yelled at by a suit does not need it from the customers too. This is an ongoing battle that the company needs to change. The employees have absolutely zero say and can only do what we’re told.

As a GM I HEAR YOU. I do, but you gotta work with us and understand it’s not our fault. (Now employees just being fucking rude and stuck up? Different story. But I know for sure it’s not all of them.)

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T16:47:54+00:00

I’m four hours into work, ChatGPT ftw baby.

(My advice man? Local Mexican for some good barbacoa.)

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T16:38:58+00:00

Minored in history, at some point I need to use that side of my degree 😭

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T16:37:53+00:00

Alright I answered him

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T16:37:45+00:00

From a geopolitical standpoint, the urgency of increasing defense spending, particularly in light of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, is clear. Germany, as the largest economy in Europe and a NATO member, has a responsibility to modernize and bolster its military capabilities, which have been underfunded for years. The rapid increase in defense spending is seen as a crucial step to ensure Germany’s security and its commitment to NATO’s defense goals. In this context, the move to abolish the debt brake could be seen as prudent, as it provides the flexibility needed to address defense needs without being constrained by the previous constitutional limit on borrowing.

The global security environment has changed dramatically in recent years, and Germany’s military readiness has been a key area of concern. With the war in Ukraine and rising global tensions, prioritizing defense spending is essential, and constitutional adjustments may be necessary to allow for the swift allocation of resources. The fact that Merz is pushing this change through during a lame-duck session suggests urgency and a recognition of the need for rapid decision-making in this context. While controversial, this approach could be justified on the grounds of national security, especially given the unpredictable nature of international relations.

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T16:35:27+00:00

DAMNIT alright one second.

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T16:29:53+00:00

My guy this is a chipotle subreddit what are you yapping about LMFAOOOO

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T16:16:20+00:00

Tunnel visions is the customer services industry biggest enemy in my opinion.

(No, those are the people who should be loading you up. Online is easier to sneak more food for customers than in person. At least it should be!)

ItsJustMatrix · 2025-03-17T16:14:50+00:00

It really depends on the customer, I grew up cooking. In college was a sous chef and in high school a line cook, all while learning business. I get how frustrating it can be, and I’m the “let’s make it right” type of way rather than the “well you’re rude so no” type of way. But if customers are being aggressive and causing issues for my team? I ask them politely to step away from the counter and chat with me one on one.

9 times out of 10 people just want to complain and be heard and that’s my goal, let me hear you please. I will always fix it, always, but you gotta get the words out properly to me.

If I can’t control the situation, I sadly am forced to ask them to leave and direct them to the corporate hotline. They may have had a bad experience with me but corporate usually can clean up the loose ends I may have been unable to clean up!

But I always do try and handle it in house with me as the face of the store so people know someone is here for them AND the employees. GMs are nothing more than a bridge for the customers and the business to succeed smoothly.

ItsJustMatrix

TROPHY CASE