What Restaurant Operators Need to Know About RFID

3 Min Read By MRM Staff

In early 2022,  Chipotle Mexican Grill began testing radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to enhance its traceability and inventory systems at its Chicago distribution center and approximately 200 restaurants in the greater Chicago area, becoming one of the first major restaurant companies to leverage RFID case labels to track ingredients from suppliers to restaurants via serialization. A year later, the chain announced plans to expand the use of RFID across its store. 

The company worked closely with the Auburn University RFID Lab to refine the pilot program, which is being tested on meat, dairy, and avocados from five Chipotle suppliers. Ingredients in the test arrive at Chipotle restaurants affixed with RFID enabled case labels and are scanned by RFID readers, which complement existing scanners in the restaurants, requiring minimal incremental investment. The tech-enabled traceability system is designed to allow the company to act on food safety and quality…