Chipotle Mexican Grill: Getting Started with Traceability

The Traceability Journey

Engebretson describes traceability as a journey, not a destination, that has four phases leading towards a robust traceability program:

1. Vision: The most important time investment is made at the beginning of the journey. This phase includes stakeholder engagement that creates a shared commitment to supply chain visibility.
2. Planning: This phase is for mapping the journey—a well-developed traceability project plan is the key to success. Put together comprehensive product management, education, and partnership plans.
3. Execution: This is where the rubber hits the road. This phase includes the implementation of standards and technology, coupled with comprehensive change management.
4. Maintenance & Enhancement: This is the final phase of the traceability journey. Teams in this phase are doing daily work to stay current with standards and merge with emerging technologies. Chipotle is in this phase today.

Tech-Enabled Traceability and Enhanced Visibility

Chipotle’s traceability system allows the team to identify the menu items from supplier to distribution center to restaurant down to the lot code level. They do this by giving each case a unique Global Trade Item Number, (GTIN). Each case is labeled with a barcode containing the GTIN, the lot number, and the pack date or use-by date. A key part of bringing this level of visibility to their program? Leveraging GS1 standards and partnering with solution providers.

“Select a technology partner, such as FoodLogiQ like we did,” said Engebretson. “They have the capability and more importantly, the expertise. So while we use the FoodLogiQ Traceability platform to stitch together the product and ingredient events at lot level across a supply chain, the real value is that they will teach you the basics of traceability data exchange and what your options are. For example, generating GS1-128 compliant case labels and creating Critical Tracking Events.”

Accelerated Response and Action

In the world of food safety, Engebretson notes, there is no competition. It is important to share knowledge, lean on more experienced peers for guidance and partner with experts who can enhance food transparency efforts. Building a stronger traceability program is part and parcel with building a smarter food safety and quality program.

“Our ability to track ingredients from supplier to restaurant, at the lot code level, is a powerful tool supplementing our already amazing food safety program. It helps ensure that we are able to research and act on food safety and quality concerns quickly, thoroughly, and know where particular ingredients are at a given time, as well as where they have been,” said Engebretson.

Interested in getting started on your traceability journey? Trustwell is here to help! Reach out to our team to learn more about the traceability technology powering Chipotle’s program.