Chipotle has been hit with a series of E. coli outbreaks after more than 50 people were infected in nine states since last August.
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According USA Today, more than 50,000 employees attended the meeting by gathering in hotel conference rooms and movie theaters to hear broadcast remarks from executives.
Chipotle is trying to bounce back from plunging sales since an E. coli outbreak came to light in late October, and a separate norovirus incident in December.
Chipotle’s shares have lost almost a third of their value and sales have plunged about 30 percent since November, when first reports of E. Coli sickness linked to the chain emerged. To make sure they can actually afford to stay home, workers will now get sick pay for those five days. By texting a number provided between 11a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday, the company gave customers a coupon for a free burrito.
That was the main takeaway today following Chipotle’s nationwide closure for an all-company meeting.
We’ll be live-tweeting our national employee meeting today to discuss recent and future food safety. “The food that we eat, it’s got to be checked as much as possible”, said Yohannes Almah, a frequent Chipotle customer. Competitors, including Freshii, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, also offered promotions to try and lure customers away.
The website says to text “RAINCHECK” to 888-222.
Shares of Chipotle fell 3.5% to $444 early on Monday afternoon.
“Not many companies would just shut down one specific day and try and improve everything all in all, so, it’s beneficial”, added Schuster.
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Chipotle Mexican Grill made some public splashes during its company-wide meeting Monday, first offering rainchecks for free meals and then announcing a new local growers support plan via Periscope.
