The pay hike for new and existing restaurant workers, both hourly and salaried, will roll out over the next few weeks, with hourly crew wages starting in the range of $11 to $18 per hour. There are also opportunities to advance to a restaurateur position, which is the highest-ranking general manager, with average compensation of $100,000 a year, Chipotle said, in as little as 3½ years.
In an interview with CNBC, Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol said the current labor market is among the most challenging he's seen in his career in the restaurant industry. In this environment, the company hopes to convey the opportunities that exist for growth within the brand.