The free meal promotion will last another two weeks.
For college kids, free food is always a welcomed thing.
With free Chipotle, though, you can guarantee people will be there.
After shutting down nationwide operations Monday to retrain its staff for new safety protocol in light of the E. coli controversy, according to a news release, the popular restaurant chain reopened in Athens with a bang.
Chipotle launched gave out free burrito codes to those who texted in a promotional code. The Athens Chipotle, 41 S. Court St., started accepting those codes Wednesday, and a line quickly formed out the door.
“I got my code this morning, and figured I’d come out today,” Max Wilkins, a freshman studying communication, said Wednesday. “The place is packed right now, and I’ve waited about 20 minutes, so it hasn’t been too bad.”
Few of the customers seemed to be phased by Chipotle’s E. coli controversy. Sarah Ducceschi, a frequent Chipotle customer, said the outbreak didn’t really trouble her.
Alec Binger, a junior studying media arts who is also a Chipotle employee, said the crowds were expected.
“We anticipated a lot of people to come,” Binger said. “This free meal promotion lasts another two weeks, so it’s safe to say we’ll be busy until then.”
Despite the influx of customers, Binger said the Athens establishment is keeping the same amount of staff it normally has on hand.
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“We’re still able to keep up with everyone with our usual 10 to 15 employees,” he said.
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