The news: Chipotle plans to hire 20,000 seasonal workers ahead of peak “burrito season,” which runs from March to May, the company said. That’s up from 19,000 in 2024, and 15,000 in 2023.

Zoom out: The accelerated hiring plans go hand in hand with Chipotle’s ambitious growth strategy. The fast-casual chain plans to open 315 to 345 locations this year, up from over 300 in 2024, as part of its goal to have 7,000 restaurants in North America.

To support its rapid expansion, Chipotle is relying on its AI-powered hiring manager, Avo Cado, to speed up and improve the hiring process. The system can answer candidates’ questions about Chipotle, in addition to scheduling interviews and sending job offers to successful applicants.