Latest news with #CMG
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Chipotle CEO praises an alarming hiring practice in the workplace
Chipotle (CMG) employees have been through a lot over the past year. Last year, Chipotle was accused of "skimping on ingredients" when serving burrito bowls to customers. In response to this accusation, it became a trend on TikTok to film Chipotle employees preparing burrito bowl orders. Customers believed this would lead them to receive larger portions of food, which frustrated workers. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Then-Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol later addressed the controversy, claiming that "there was never a directive to provide less" to customers; however, the company found that 10% of its restaurants were serving customers inconsistent food portions. Related: Chipotle faces lawsuit for serving 'inconsistent' portion sizes Chipotle later began increasing its reliance on technology to simplify operations. In September, it began testing a new robot in select stores "to build bowls and salads" for digital orders, improving "employee efficiency and digital order accuracy," according to a press release. It also began testing a new Autocado robot, which "cuts avocados, removes their skin, and separates their fruit through an automated process" in 26 seconds. Chipotle said that this will free up a lot of time for workers, giving them more time to focus on prepping orders and assisting customers. In addition to using robots in select stores, it even began using artificial intelligence to speed up its hiring process as it rapidly opens new restaurants. In October, Chipotle launched its AI hiring platform "Ava Cado" which aims to "provide a frictionless hiring experience by chatting with candidates, answering their questions about Chipotle, collecting basic information, scheduling interviews for hiring managers, and sending offers to candidates who are selected by managers," according to a press release. Related: Chipotle is mulling a controversial change to its menu In a recent interview with Fortune Magazine, Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright said that "Ava Cado" has reduced hiring times by 75% as the company plans to open a new Chipotle restaurant almost every 24 hours this year. "This not only helps us keep our restaurant staffed, but ensures we have the best talent that's available in the industry," said Boatwright. He emphasized that despite the company's increased reliance on technology, it doesn't plan on replacing its workers with it. "We don't look to replace the human experience; we look to remove waste and expand or enhance the team member experience," he said. The move from Chipotle comes during a time when many companies such as IBM, JPMorgan Chase, and even the IRS have also recently introduced artificial intelligence into its workplace to boost productivity. In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna even said that while AI has replaced hundreds of HR workers at his company, it has also resulted in more hiring. More Labor: Amazon CEO gives hard-nosed message to employeesIRS has an alarming solution to a growing problem after layoffsJPMorgan Chase CFO issues stern warning to employees "While we have done a huge amount of work inside IBM on leveraging AI and automation on certain enterprise workflows, our total employment has actually gone up, because what it does is it gives you more investment to put into other areas," said Krishna. As more companies bet big on AI use in the workplace, U.S. workers are concerned about the domino effect this technology can have on their jobs. According to a recent survey from YouGov, more than one-third of U.S. workers are worried that AI will result in job loss or fewer work hours. Also, 56% of workers in the survey believe that AI will shrink the number of job opportunities, and 55% think that their work hours will be reduced due to the technology. Related: Papa Johns makes major menu change to win back customers The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
MI6 gadget master becomes first female chief
Sir Keir Starmer has appointed the first ever female head of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, MI6. Blaise Metreweli, the current head of technology and innovation at MI6, is being promoted to its 18th chief and the first woman to hold the role as the UK faces growing threats from foreign adversaries. The head of MI6 is commonly referred to as C and is the only publicly named member of the organisation. Ms Metreweli, a veteran of the organisation and its domestic counterpart MI5, was awarded a CMG for services to British Foreign Policy last year. She is succeeding Sir Richard Moore, who leaves this autumn after four years in charge. "I am proud and honoured to be asked to lead my Service. MI6 plays a vital role - with MI5 and GCHQ - in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas,' she said. She added: 'I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners." Announcing her appointment, Sir Keir said: 'The historic appointment of Blaise Metreweli comes at a time when the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital. 'The United Kingdom is facing threats on an unprecedented scale – be it aggressors who send their spy ships to our waters or hackers whose sophisticated cyber plots seek to disrupt our public services. 'I'd like to thank Sir Richard Moore for his dedicated service, and I know Blaise will continue to provide the excellent leadership needed to defend our county and keep our people safe – the foundation of my Plan for Change.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who Ms Metreweli will report to, said she takes up the role 'at a time of global instability and emerging security threats, where technology is power and our adversaries are working ever closer together'. 'Blaise will ensure the UK can tackle these challenges head-on to keep Britain safe and secure at home and abroad,' he added. Ms Metreweli is director general of technology and innovation in MI6, a role in which she is known as Q. She has held other senior roles across the organisation and MI5. Ms Metreweli is a career intelligence officer, having joined the secret intelligence service in 1999, shortly after graduating from Pembroke College, Cambridge. Most of her career has been spent in operational roles in the Middle East and Europe. Outgoing chief Sir Richard Moore said: "I am absolutely delighted by this historic appointment of my colleague. 'Blaise is a highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader, and one of our foremost thinkers on technology. I am excited to welcome her as the first female head of MI6."
The Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Blaise Metreweli appointed as first female head of MI6
Sir Keir Starmer has appointed the first ever female head of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, MI6. Blaise Metreweli, the current head of technology and innovation at MI6, is being promoted to its 18th chief and the first woman to hold the role as the UK faces growing threats from foreign adversaries. The head of MI6 is commonly referred to as C and is the only publicly named member of the organisation. Ms Metreweli, a veteran of the organisation and its domestic counterpart MI5, was awarded a CMG for services to British Foreign Policy last year. She is succeeding Sir Richard Moore, who leaves this autumn after four years in charge. "I am proud and honoured to be asked to lead my Service. MI6 plays a vital role - with MI5 and GCHQ - in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas,' she said. She added: 'I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners." Announcing her appointment, Sir Keir said: 'The historic appointment of Blaise Metreweli comes at a time when the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital. 'The United Kingdom is facing threats on an unprecedented scale – be it aggressors who send their spy ships to our waters or hackers whose sophisticated cyber plots seek to disrupt our public services. 'I'd like to thank Sir Richard Moore for his dedicated service, and I know Blaise will continue to provide the excellent leadership needed to defend our county and keep our people safe – the foundation of my Plan for Change.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who Ms Metreweli will report to, said she takes up the role 'at a time of global instability and emerging security threats, where technology is power and our adversaries are working ever closer together'. 'Blaise will ensure the UK can tackle these challenges head-on to keep Britain safe and secure at home and abroad,' he added. Ms Metreweli is director general of technology and innovation in MI6, a role in which she is known as Q. She has held other senior roles across the organisation and MI5. Ms Metreweli is a career intelligence officer, having joined the secret intelligence service in 1999, shortly after graduating from Pembroke College, Cambridge. Most of her career has been spent in operational roles in the Middle East and Europe. Outgoing chief Sir Richard Moore said: "I am absolutely delighted by this historic appointment of my colleague. 'Blaise is a highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader, and one of our foremost thinkers on technology. I am excited to welcome her as the first female head of MI6."
Asia Times
13-06-2025
- Business
- Asia Times
UK's strategic defense posture still includes East of Suez roles
Originally published by Pacific Forum, this article is republished with permission. The launch of the United Kingdom's Strategic Defence Review has finally set down a clear direction for the UK's strategic posture for at least a parliament, perhaps longer. The most instrumental element in the paper is the decision to focus on the Euro-Atlantic as the priority region. This was already understood, but there have been at least two decades of the UK flirting with an East of Suez strategy. This included development of a robust defense attaché network in Southeast Asia, the long courtship of China – and then India – for growth, and the resurgence of UK military assets to the region in the name of defending maritime sea lanes and a 'free and open' Indo-Pacific. While it's true that this SDR was written by externals, led by Lord George Robertson, Dr. Fiona Hill, CMG, and General Sir Richard Barrons, the Labour government has already stamped its seal of approval by accepting all 62 recommendations. So what exactly does it say about the UK's 'Indo-Pacific strategy?' Well, the document is a realization that the US 'Pivot' to the Indo-Pacific region is here to stay. This was made clear after the Biden administration re-released an Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2022 to put its stamp on the Trump strategy of 2019. Both strategies began with the starting point that the United States as an 'Indo-Pacific power' or 'Indo-Pacific nation.' While resources and political attention have – at times – remained stubbornly centered around the Middle East and CENTCOM and with Europe and EUCOM, the arrival of Elbridge Colby (a one-time Pacific Forum 'young leader') on the strategic scene in the United States has for now crowned the Indo-Pacific Pivot as the United States' priority region. The rise of China in this region, and the shift of political, military, and economic weight from Europe to Asia has cemented this shift. Colby's ratification as undersecretary of defense for policy has also added an explicit message to the Europeans: The dribbling of small amounts of assets to the Indo-Pacific is unnecessary; the United States would infinitely prefer that European powers – France, Germany and the UK – focus on the Euro-Atlantic and deal with Russia. The SDR wisely accommodates this resource imperative, while still providing a place for UK interests and support to the US and its allies in the region. If one looks at the number of times 'Indo-Pacific' is mentioned in the document (17), it is notable that this is down from a high of 32 mentions in the 2021 Integrated Review. Still, it is still better than the Strategic Defence Review of 1998 or the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, documents which mentioned 'Asia' five times and two times respectively. The 2025 SDR states that NATO-first does not mean NATO-only, putting the list of priorities as Euro-Atlantic, Middle East, and Indo-Pacific in that order. It states that 'the Indo-Pacific is strategically important to the UK as a global economic and political powerhouse and arena of increasing geopolitical tension.' It notes the strong partnerships the UK has in the region – ASEAN, Australia, Brunei, Japan, India, Indonesia, Nepal, New Zealand and Pakistan come in for special mention – and, of course, China. The SDR's position on China is probably closest to that of the UK Ministry of Defence and –sadly – does not reflect broader opinion across government in Whitehall. China is a 'sophisticated and persistent threat,' which behaves aggressively in the South China Sea and has escalated tensions in the Taiwan Strait. It notes the fact that China has supported Russia in its invasion of Ukraine and that the US-China relationship will be a 'key factor' in global security. It also notes the threats provided by Beijing's military build-up, nuclear modernization and technological and cyber capabilities and recommends the maintenance of UK-China military-to-military communications. Given that US-China mil-to-mil relations are extremely limited now and constantly under pressure from China over US arms sales to Taiwan, this might prove a helpful channel in time. Notably, it recognizes that most of the UK's adversaries will likely field Chinese technology – an important observation in its own right. The SDR's integrated approach toward the Indo-Pacific region is consistent with the US Indo-Pacific Strategy, and consistent with the overall security interests of its closest partners, Japan and Australia, which are rapidly becoming the more important partners of choice across a number of different metrics. First, both are key partners in intelligence-sharing, both work closely with the United States to demonstrate deterrent capability in military exercises in the region and both are defense industrial partners of choice. With Japan, the UK is developing the Meteor, a joint new air-to-air missile (JNAAM) and the Global Combat Air Programme (with Italy), though this latter effort is under pressure. With Australia, there is even more by way of 'production deterrence' in the form of the AUKUS submarine and technology programs. The rotation of UK Astute-class submarines to HMAS Stiling, in Australia, planned as early as 2027 will be an immense boon to deterrence and warfighting capability. So what's missing from the SDR? Well, with respect to the authors, there are a few things: The recent murmurings of disquiet about a lack of progress in AUKUS Pillar 2 is an issue. London and Canberra now need to press upon newly arrived Trump officials their thoughts on the blockage and what can be done to expedite things at the resourcing, regulatory, and organizational level. This needs to be done at a time when the White House is shifting the US trade environment, so this will be difficult. In addition, the UK Ministry of Defence needs to think about what posture it needs to 'surge' military forces into the region in a crisis. The MOD needs to provide options and these range from inter-changeability exercises for UK assets visiting the region to developing a more mature presence in INDOPACOM – through a mid-size consulate in Honolulu run at the ambassadorial level by someone with close links to MOD. The options include joining the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience – if this has not already occurred – and supporting 'production deterrence.' It might mean co-production on long-range munitions in the wide expanse of the Pacific. And, finally, it needs to develop – alone or in tandem with the US – hubs for maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) so that it can operate at the long-distances required by the operational environment. Dr. John Hemmings (john. @ is deputy director at the Council on Geostrategy in London and senior advisor at Pacific Forum.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Redburn starts Chipotle at Neutral on fair valuation
As previously reported, Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage of Chipotle (CMG) with a Neutral rating and $55 price target Chipotle remains the 'standout' in U.S. restaurants, underpinned by superior unit economics, a higher-income customer base and continued throughput improvements, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm says the company's exposure to GLP-1 weight loss drugs is low, its pricing has not been aggressive and traffic trends have been more resilient than those at peers. However, current expectations already embed a strong outer-year same-store sales recovery, leaving limited room for upwards revisions, contends Redburn. As such, it sees the stock as fairly valued. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See the top stocks recommended by analysts >> Read More on CMG: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Chipotle initiated with a Neutral at Redburn Atlantic Morning News Wrap-Up: Monday's Biggest Stock Market Stories Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock (NASDAQ:CMG) Slides as it Pins its Hopes on Adobo Ranch Chipotle, Rocket Lab, Unity, Zscaler, Lowe's: Insider Sales Surge! Unusual call flow in option market yesterday Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
