Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

Chipotle Reopens After Afternoon Employee Strike

Update, 5:31 p.m.: Chipotle has now officially reopened the location, after closing earlier today.

A representative from Chipotle’s corporate office deferred comment on the situation to their Public Relations office, which could not be reached at this time. We will update again if any more information becomes known.

Update, 1:11 p.m.: Chipotle ownership responded to our inquiry, saying it expects to reopen the location soon:

Thank you for taking the time to write us about our Penn State University restaurant. Unfortunately we had to close this location after a few employees quit, locking out a majority of others who are enthusiastic to return to work. We expect the restaurant to re-open shortly. I’m sorry for any inconveniences this may have caused you. We hope to see you again soon.

***

After four managers quit in the last two days and an angry letter was posted in the window of Chipotle, the extremely popular Hiester Street restaurant is currently closed.

This morning, a since-removed sign was posted in the window of the store reading, “Ask our corporate offices why their employees are forced to work in borderline sweatshop conditions. Almost the entire management and crew have resigned. People > Profits”:

According to former manager Steve Healy, the Chipotle was extremely understaffed with no help from its corporate offices. On days when they needed 13-14 workers in the store, they usually had about six to eight, often resulting in workers doing 10-12 hour shifts without any breaks to eat.

In the last two days, the Chipotle staff has incurred huge losses, Healy said. This morning, he arrived at the Chipotle to open up, when one of the workers quit on the spot. At that point, he decided to shut down the store, and he and another manager put that sign on the window. Healy surmises that people from the corporate offices are in town to try and re-open the store.

“We just felt neglected,” he said. “…Working conditions are heinous. I’m not trying to take down the Chipotle corporation, I just want to see people treated better. We’re not trying to start a strike or anything like that.”

Neither the State College Chipotle nor the corporate offices could be reached for comment. We’ll keep updating as we get more information.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Tim Gilbert

Former Managing Editor of this site, now just makes lots of #content for it from the Phyrst’s Table 69. Senior from Philadelphia. First-generation Penn Stater. I might go to law school after this, but I might not, too. “For the Glory” is in my email signature because I’m a douche. [email protected] is my email if you want to tell me why I suck. Alternatively, you can call me out on Twitter @OlGilb.

‘I’m Ready To Spread My Wings A Little Bit’: Penn State Football Safety Keaton Ellis Prepared For Potential NFL Journey

“I took that added chip to my shoulder, and I worked that much harder.”

‘I Could Be In That Mix’: Former Penn State Football Kicker Alex Felkins Makes NFL Pitch At Pro Day

“Every workout I do has an opportunity there extend my career or shorten it.”

Brainstorming Other Names For Penn State Baseball’s ‘Dollar Dog Night’

From “Wealthy Weiner Night” to “GoFundMe Glizzy Night,” there are many options aside from the classic name.

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
164kFollowers
59.4kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by Tim

Penn State’s New Academic Mark Is Just Awful

My brain is not able to understand how a team of people supposedly proficient in this industry gathered, looked at this new mark, and said, “Yes, this will do!”

Penn State Hoops To Host DePaul In Inaugural Gavitt Tipoff

James Franklin To Throw First Pitch At Yankee Stadium On April 28