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Chipotle

How Chipotle Used AI to Stay Ahead of Consumer Behavior During COVID

When the pandemic upended the restaurant industry, Chipotle moved fast—not just operationally, but analytically. In this session, Jennifer Savage, Senior Analyst of Social Intelligence, breaks down how Chipotle used NetBase Quid to understand changing customer needs in real-time and shape business decisions accordingly.

From rethinking safety messaging to launching new products like cauliflower rice and "Chipotle Together" Zoom lunch events, the team stayed nimble, relevant, and customer-obsessed—even as sentiment and behavior shifted daily.

Key Takeaways

  • Real-Time Pivoting: Chipotle tracked early shifts in consumer sentiment (e.g., safety, access, grocery shortages) to adapt faster than competitors.
  • From Insight to Action: Data-driven decisions led to contactless delivery, tamper-proof packaging, and frontline worker support—validated by positive social sentiment.
  • New Rituals, New Products: Social listening surfaced the emotional loss of lunch as a social event, leading to the creation of virtual gatherings like “Chipotle Together.”

  • Industry + Cultural Trends: They didn't just watch their brand—they tracked QSR, grocery, and broader societal behaviors to stay culturally relevant.

  • Holiday & Health Mindset Shifts: Insights helped them understand and plan for early holiday sentiment and rising interest in plant-based and climate-conscious food choices.

  • Cross-Functional Wins: Social insights didn't live in a silo—Chipotle integrated NetBase Quid data with product innovation, marketing, and analytics teams to inform menu changes and promos.

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