Will Chipotle’s Investment In Education Pay Off For Its Employees?

Chipotle launched an updated debt-free tuition program for its employees, covering new degrees in agriculture, culinary, and hospitality industries. The move shows another step from the QSR chain to prioritize education offerings as an internal and external differentiator.

But in the larger context of employee benefits, what is the ultimate goal for the company as it provides free education to its employees? And what were the main factors that influenced the structure of the program?

The Voice of B2B, Daniel Litwin, talked with Scott Scansen, Head of Total Rewards for Chipotle Mexican Grill on MarketScale TV, to discuss the chain’s new program and what it means for the company and its workers.

 

Chipotle will partner with the University of Arizona, Bellevue University, the University of Denver, and Oregon State University, to name a few, in this updated degree program. When it went to choose these schools, it looked for leading, non-profit, accredited universities, according to Scansen. It also looked at schools that had the technology to support Chipotle’s envisioned degrees, as well as had a strong online presence.

“The program we’re trying to put in front of our employees, agriculture, culinary, and hospitality,” Scansen said, “are in addition to the programs we already offer – business and technology.”

The programs it chose are near and dear to Chipotle, reflecting several careers that will support Chipotle’s growth. The degrees offered through these programs include Agricultural Sciences or Rangeland Sciences, Food Industry Compliance Management, and various supply chain management degrees.

“Through these debt-free degree programs, we find that we have 3.5 percent more retention and seven times the promotion rate for these employees,” Scansen said. He also said that with these degrees comes the opportunity for career mobility to Chipotle’s corporate offices.

Litwin and Scansen discuss how this plays into a more holistic understanding of employee benefits, from a living wage to supplemental benefits.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Coupa Inspire 2025
A Global Conversation: Coupa Inspire 2025 Brings Innovation to Your Doorstep
September 12, 2025

Coupa Inspire 2025 is taking its flagship experience on the road with the Inspire World Tour, bringing the spirit of its celebrated event to five cities across four continents. By condensing the energy of its global gathering into free, one-day sessions, Coupa is expanding access to knowledge, innovation, and community-building opportunities for finance, procurement, and…

Read More
Royal Dublin
Mastering the Game: Akshay Bhatia and Coupa Inspire at the Royal Dublin
September 12, 2025

At the Royal Dublin, Coupa brought together community and competition with PGA pro and brand ambassador Akshay Bhatia, who shared lessons from the course that extend far beyond golf. His message, “Master your swing. Master your spend,” underscored the power of precision, discipline, and strategy in both sport and business. The event was not just…

Read More
Coupa Customer Appreciation Day with Akshay Bhatia at The Royal Dublin
September 11, 2025

Coupa’s Customer Appreciation Day at The Royal Dublin on July, 2025, brought together PGA Tour talent Akshay Bhatia and the community for a celebration of both sport and connection. Beyond the excitement of world-class golf, Bhatia shared practical “tour-level tips” in a relaxed clinic format, offering guidance on everything from escaping rough lies to mastering…

Read More
The Royal Dublin
Coupa Spotlight: Akshay Bhatia Tees Up Teaching at The Royal Dublin
September 11, 2025

American golfer Akshay Bhatia’s teaching session at The Royal Dublin this July marks more than a summer stop—it’s a sign of how golf’s rising stars are shaping the global game. For Coupa, the event highlights the intersection of tradition and modern growth, bringing fresh attention to one of Ireland’s most historic courses. Bhatia’s presence underscores…

Read More