New “Zipotle” service begins with early access program in Rowlett, TX
Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced a new partnership with Zipline, the autonomous delivery company, to launch drone delivery of digital orders in the Dallas area. The program, branded as Zipotle, begins with early access in Rowlett, Texas, and is expected to expand to more customers in the coming weeks.
The initiative allows select guests to receive their orders via Zipline’s fleet of quiet, zero-emission aircraft. Chipotle says the new option will provide fast, convenient deliveries while keeping meals fresh. The entire Chipotle menu will be available through the service.
How the Zipotle Program Works
Guests in Rowlett can download the Zipline app on Apple or Android devices. If eligible, they can place a Chipotle order for drone delivery.
Employees place the order into a Zipping Point, which allows a Zipline aircraft, known as a Zip, to autonomously collect the package. The aircraft then travels directly to the delivery address, hovers about 300 feet above the ground, and lowers the order gently and precisely.
The first participating location is the Chipotle restaurant at 3109 Lakeview Parkway in Rowlett. For now, service will run daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time, with plans to extend to 10 p.m. in the near future.
Industry Perspectives
“Zipotle is a quick and convenient source of delivery that lets guests enjoy our real food from places that are traditionally challenging to serve, including backyards and public parks,” said Curt Garner, President, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer at Chipotle. “Zipline’s commitment to building an efficient, environmentally friendly delivery experience is synonymous with our mission to Cultivate a Better World.”
“With Zipline, you tap a button, and minutes later food magically appears – hot, fresh, and ultra-fast,” said Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO and Co-Founder of Zipline. “Starting today, families in the Dallas area can have food delivered by Zipotle and served for lunch or dinner. What once felt like science fiction is soon going to become totally normal.”
Zipline’s Expansion into Consumer Delivery
Zipline has a long history of using autonomous aircraft for medical logistics. The company began by delivering supplies to rural hospitals in Rwanda and has since expanded to about 5,000 hospitals and health facilities worldwide.
To date, Zipline aircraft have flown more than 100 million commercial miles and completed over 1.6 million deliveries. According to the company, a Zipline delivery is made somewhere in the world every 60 seconds.
Zipotle orders will initially be limited to packages up to 5.5 pounds, with plans to expand capacity to 8 pounds. Deliveries are designed to remain fresh thanks to insulation built into the system, even in challenging weather conditions.
The Broader Context
Drone delivery is emerging as a competitive space in the U.S., with Dallas–Fort Worth positioned as a leading test market. Companies like Wing, Amazon, and Walmart have already launched services in the region. With the recent publication of the BVLOS NPRM, which will regularize drone flight beyond visual line of sight, companies are betting that drone delivery will take a percentage of the last mile delivery market. The addition of Chipotle and Zipline highlights both consumer demand for faster food delivery and growing confidence in drone logistics as a mainstream option.
Read more:
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
TWITTER:@spaldingbarker
Subscribe to DroneLife here.
