Chipotle Mexican Grill is adding a new mental health benefit for managers, field leaders and restaurant support center employees, the fast casual announced Wednesday.
Starting next month, those workers will have access to a virtual platform called Strive that provides one-on-one coaching and support. The app “gamifies each employee’s wellness experience,” Chipotle said in a statement, allowing users to win gift cards, save money on health insurance and other perks.
Strive is provided to Chipotle in partnership with Aduro, a company that provides corporate wellness solutions.
“Understanding how employees leveraged our mental health benefits throughout the pandemic inspired us to partner with Aduro for the launch of this new platform,” Marissa Andrada, Chipotle’s chief diversity, inclusion and people officer, said in a statement. “By offering access to a personal wellness coach, individualized content and solutions for self-care, our goal is to foster a continual culture of well-being for all employees.”
On Thursday, Chipotle will observe its first-ever Mental Health Action Day by sending all Rewards members a push notification to “check in on someone today.” The alert will link to resources to support mental wellness, the company said.
The Strive platform joins Chipotle’s existing mental health benefits, which are available to all of the chain’s associates and their family members. They include in-person, phone or virtual visits with a licensed counselor.
The new benefit comes on the heels of Chipotle’s announcement that it is raising its average hourly pay to $15 as it seeks to hire 20,000 new workers this year amid a tight job market.
Other restaurant chains have boosted their pay and benefits as they seek to recruit and retain employees. Last fall, Noodles & Company added free in-person and virtual counseling sessions to its growing roster of benefits.