CHIPOTLE X STRAVA PARTNERSHIP GOES GLOBAL: INTRODUCING "THE CITY CHALLENGE" IN 25 MARKETS TO KICK OFF 2025

Rhea-AI Summary

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) is expanding its Strava partnership globally in 2025, launching 'The City Challenge' across 25 markets in North America and Europe. The challenge allows participants to compete on 'Chipotle segments' for a chance to win free Lifestyle Bowls for a year, with cities competing collectively for the highest mileage to win a BOGO offer for their entire city.

The company is also introducing a 'Goals, Gym, Guac' text message community ahead of 'No Quitters Day' on January 10, offering exclusive content and opportunities to win free Lifestyle Bowls. Additionally, Chipotle is offering $0 delivery fees on Lifestyle Bowl orders from January 2-31, 2025. The initiative features seven different Lifestyle Bowls catering to various dietary preferences, including Whole30®, keto, and vegan options.

Positive

• Global expansion of successful Strava partnership to 25 cities
• Previous campaign logged over 9.25 million miles of user engagement
• $0 delivery fee promotion for Lifestyle Bowls throughout January 2025
• Digital-exclusive menu items available in multiple countries (US, UK, Canada, France)

Negative

• Higher menu prices charged for delivery despite $0 delivery fee promotion
• availability of promotional offers (50,000 free bowl codes)

Insights

Marketing Analyst

<p>This marketing campaign represents an expansion of Chipotle's digital engagement strategy, but lacks substantial business impact. The partnership with Strava, while creative, is primarily a promotional tool targeting fitness enthusiasts during the New Year resolution season. The <b>expansion to 25 international cities</b> and the introduction of the "Goals, Gym, Guac" SMS community are incremental improvements to existing marketing initiatives.</p><p>The <b>50,000 free Lifestyle Bowl codes</b> and BOGO offers represent minimal financial exposure given Chipotle's scale. The <money>$0</money> delivery fee promotion for Lifestyle Bowls is a standard promotional tactic that follows industry practices for driving digital orders. While these initiatives may generate social media buzz and temporary engagement, they are unlikely to materially impact revenue or stock performance.</p><p>The campaign's timing aligns with Q1 seasonal patterns when quick-service restaurants typically see slower traffic, but the scale and scope suggest this is routine marketing rather than a significant business catalyst.</p>

• The popular "Chipotle segments" on Strava are expanding to 25 cities, including international destinations for the first time
• Chipotle will motivate guests to achieve their goals with a new "Goals, Gym, Guac" motivational text message community, providing exclusive creator content and a chance to score a free Lifestyle Bowl offer¹ on "No Quitters Day," January 10
• Chipotle's lineup of seven Lifestyle Bowls makes maintaining a healthy lifestyle easier than ever

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Jan. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today announced that its partnership with Strava, the app for active people with more than 135 million users in more than 190 countries, is back and bigger than ever in 2025. Chipotle is launching its first-ever international Strava segment challenge for participants to compete to win free Lifestyle Bowls for a year, plus free Chipotle for their city.² New in 2025, the initiative extends beyond the U.S., connecting and motivating Chipotle's running community across 25 cities in North America and Europe, including New York City, London, Paris, Toronto and more. See all locations at chipotle.com/city-challenge. People can also complete the segment by walking or in a wheelchair. The cities participating in the competition are the top 25 cities that eat the most Chipotle.

"Last year, we learned about the literal great lengths that our fans will go to for free Chipotle. Participants logged more than 9.25 million miles on 'Chipotle segments,' the equivalent of circling the planet more than 370 times," said Chris Brandt, Chief Brand Officer, Chipotle. "After seeing the passion our fans had for the initial launch with Strava, we had to increase access to the competition and raise the stakes."

Chipotle x Strava: The City Challenge
Chipotle has partnered with Strava to create 25 "Chipotle segments," which are portions of roads and trails created by the Strava community where athletes can find friendly competition by chasing the fastest times on the leaderboard. Starting today through January 31, fans will have the opportunity to compete for Local Legend Status (LCL), an award for the individual who completes the segment the most times. Chipotle will reward the Local Legend in each city with free Lifestyle Bowls for a year.² 

New this year, every city with a Chipotle segment will also compete to see who can collectively complete the highest mileage on the segment. The cities' progress will be tracked on the "Chipotle x Strava: The City Challenge" heatmap,  a first-of-its-kind leaderboard showing daily updates of each city's performance. The city that wins will score a BUY-ONE-GET-ONE (BOGO) entrée offer for their entire city valid on instore orders on a future date to be announced by Chipotle. This will be the first time Strava segments will be in direct competition with each other as part of a brand-sponsored competition.

No Quitters Day Is Better With Friends
The second Friday of January is known as "Quitters Day," the day people are most likely to forfeit New Year's resolutions. Since 2023, Chipotle has celebrated "No Quitters Day" and rewarded guests who sustained healthy habits all month. As Chipotle enters its third year celebrating "No Quitters Day," the company is creating a motivational text message community via SMS to help guests achieve their goals.

How It Works:

1. From January 2 – January 9, guests can visit chipotle.com/lsb-text to join the "Goals, Gym, Guac" text message community.
2. Throughout January, Chipotle will text its community with exclusive content from top creators, motivational texts and affirmations, plus a first chance to score a free Chipotle Lifestyle Bowl. 
3. On "No Quitters Day," Friday, January 10, members will be texted with instructions to get one of 50,000 free Lifestyle Bowls.¹

"It's well known that having an accountability buddy makes it easier to accomplish wellness goals," said Stephanie Perdue, Vice President of Brand Marketing, Chipotle. "We are showing up for our guests with our version of a group chat to make healthy habits fun on 'No Quitters Day.'"

Lifestyle Bowls For Every Goal
Chipotle's Lifestyle Bowls are chef-curated entrées designed to make healthy habits convenient and delicious with easy one tap ordering on the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com. The menu features nourishing bowls for every lifestyle, including Whole30®, keto, paleo, gluten free, grain free, vegan and vegetarian.

Chipotle is helping fans start the new year strong with a $0 delivery fee offer³ on Lifestyle Bowl orders in the U.S. on the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com from January 2 through January 31. Lifestyle Bowls are digital exclusive menu items available in the U.S., U.K., Canada and France. 

The 2025 Lifestyle Bowl Lineup:

• Balanced Macros Bowl: Light White Rice, Black Beans, Chicken, Fajita Veggies, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Guac, Extra Romaine Lettuce
• Veggie Full Bowl: White Rice, Black Beans, Fajita Veggies, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa, Guac
• Wholesome Bowl (Whole30® compatible): Supergreens Lettuce Blend, Chicken, Fajita Veggies, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Guac
• Keto Salad Bowl: Supergreens Lettuce Blend, Chicken, Tomatillo-Red Chili Salsa, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Sour Cream, Cheese
• High Protein Bowl: White Rice, Black Beans, Double Chicken, Tomatillo-Red Chili Salsa, Cheese, Romaine Lettuce
• Plant-Powered Bowl: Supergreens Lettuce Blend, White Rice, Sofritas, Fajita Veggies, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa, Guac
• Go Half Veggie Bowl: 1/2 Chicken, 1/2 Sofritas, Supergreens Lettuce Blend, White Rice, Fajita Veggies, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa, Sour Cream 

1 – 50,000 codes available. 50 U.S. States & DC Only, 13+. Limit 1 code per person. Chipotle will let you know if you've won by sending you a text. Standard text and data rates may apply.  If all codes aren't distributed via text responses Chipotle will distribute via other means outlined in the Terms. Terms: chipotle.com/text

2 – NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  Contest begins 1/1/25 at 3:01 p.m. PT and ends: 1/31/25 at 11:59 p.m. PT.  Minors must have parental consent.  See official rules at: chipotle.com/city-challenge-rules for additional eligibility restrictions, entry periods, segment details, prize descriptions/restrictions, and complete details.  Sponsor: CMG Strategy Co., LLC.

3 – Higher menu prices are charged for delivery; additional service fees applied at checkout as well (except in California and Minnesota). Available January 2 through January 31, 2025 only, within Chipotle's delivery areas from participating U.S. locations, during normal operating hours for such locations. Order must include at least one Lifestyle Bowl to qualify. Minimum order $10 USD/ maximum order $200 USD, each excluding tax and fees. Deliveries and redemptions are subject to availability. Offer is not valid on catering or Burritos by the Box orders. Redemptions of Chipotle Rewards and other promotional offers may be included in a qualifying delivery order but do not count towards satisfaction of minimum purchase requirements. Valid only on Chipotle website or the Chipotle app; not valid on orders placed via third-party delivery platforms. Chipotle reserves the right to modify or terminate this offer at any time without notice. Additional restrictions may apply; void where prohibited.

ABOUT CHIPOTLE
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. There are over 3,600 restaurants as of September 30, 2024, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Kuwait and it is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. Chipotle is ranked on the Fortune 500 and is recognized on Fortune's Most Admired Companies 2024 list and Time Magazine's Most Influential Companies. With over 125,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit Chipotle.com.

About Strava
Strava is the app for active people with more than 135 million athletes in more than 190 countries. The platform offers a holistic view of your active lifestyle, no matter where you live, which sport you love and/or what device you use. Everyone belongs on Strava when they are pursuing an active life. Join the community, find motivation and discover new experiences with a Strava subscription. Join the Strava Club or follow Strava on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.  Visit www.strava.com for more information. 

 

 

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SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill

FAQ

What is Chipotle's (CMG) City Challenge 2025 and how does it work?

Chipotle's City Challenge is a competition across 25 cities where participants can complete Strava segments to win free Lifestyle Bowls for a year. Cities compete collectively for the highest mileage to win a BOGO offer for their entire city.

How long will CMG's $0 delivery fee promotion run in 2025?

Chipotle's $0 delivery fee promotion for Lifestyle Bowl orders runs from January 2 through January 31, 2025.

What are the new Lifestyle Bowls offered by Chipotle (CMG) in 2025?

Chipotle offers seven Lifestyle Bowls in 2025: Balanced Macros Bowl, Veggie Full Bowl, Wholesome Bowl, Keto Salad Bowl, High Protein Bowl, Plant-Powered Bowl, and Go Half Veggie Bowl.

How many free Lifestyle Bowls is Chipotle (CMG) giving away on No Quitters Day 2025?

Chipotle is offering 50,000 free Lifestyle Bowls on No Quitters Day, January 10, 2025, to members of their 'Goals, Gym, Guac' text message community.