Zipotle Zips Burritos by Drone in Dallas

Hold onto your guac, DroneXL crew, because Chipotle’s slinging burritos through the skies! In a spicy new partnership with Zipline, the drone delivery champs, Chipotle’s testing “Zipotle” in Dallas, dropping tacos and bowls faster than you can say “extra salsa.” This ain’t your DJI Mavic 4 snapping vacation pics—it’s a high-flying burrito express, and we’re here for it!

Zipotle Takes Flight in Rowlett

Starting August 21, 2025, select Chipotle fans in Rowlett, Texas, got a taste of the future with drone-delivered orders.

From the Chipotle at 3109 Lakeview Pkwy, Zipline’s Platform 2 drones zip the full menu—burritos, quesadillas, you name it—to customers’ doorsteps. It’s a pilot program, with a broader rollout planned in weeks.

Here’s how it works: you order via the Zipline app (Apple or Android), Chipotle workers pack your meal, and a “Zipping Point” hands it off to a drone.

The drone hovers 300 feet up, then lowers a tethered “Zip” droid to gently drop your order. No more wrestling traffic for your Chipotle fix!

This test, launched at noon daily and running till 8 p.m. (soon 10 p.m.), is a big deal for Dallas, the unofficial drone delivery capital. With a $2.99 delivery fee and a 15% service fee (capped at $6), it’s a steal for fresh food from the sky.

Why Drones and Burritos Are a Match Made in Heaven

Chipotle’s betting big on drones to woo younger customers who love delivery more than a good TikTok trend. “Younger consumers are our biggest fans,” said Curt Garner, Chipotle’s president and chief strategy officer. “They’re curious, live in shared housing, and drone delivery fits them like a glove.”

Zipline’s drones are no slouches either. These Platform 2 models, insulated for rain, heat, or cold, can carry up to 5.5 pounds now (8 pounds later), enough for a hefty burrito bowl and chips. They’re fast, quiet, and eco-friendly, making them perfect for urban spots like Rowlett.

The timing’s spot-on. After a rough quarter with a 4% dip in same-store sales, Chipotle’s bouncing back with summer promos and their new Adobo Ranch dip. Drones could be the secret sauce to boost sales and wow customers.

Zipline’s Sky-High Cred

Zipline’s no rookie in the drone game—they’re a CNBC Disruptor 50 company with over 100 million commercial miles flown across four continents. Every 60 seconds, someone, somewhere gets a Zipline delivery, from hospital supplies to Walmart orders. Their tech is battle-tested, from Rwanda’s medical drops to Dallas’ Walmart runs.

What makes Zipline’s drones stand out? They hover at 300 feet, using a tethered droid to lower packages with dinner-plate precision. No noisy landings, no crushed burritos—just pure, sci-fi cool. Plus, they’re zero-emission, so you’re saving the planet while munching.

Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, Zipline’s CEO, sums it up: “Tap a button, and food magically appears—hot, fresh, and ultra-fast.” With plans to team up with Sweetgreen next, Zipline’s making drone delivery as normal as ordering pizza.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Drones sound awesome, but it’s not all smooth flying. Scaling Zipotle means outfitting more restaurants with Zipping Points, training staff, and keeping customers happy with consistent deliveries. Weather’s a wildcard—Texas storms could ground drones faster than you can say “rain delay.”

Then there’s the FAA. While Zipline’s got BVLOS clearance for this test, widespread drone delivery needs regulatory green lights. Public perception’s another hurdle—some folks might not love drones buzzing their backyard barbecues.

Chipotle’s playing it smart with a stage-gate approach, testing in Rowlett before dreaming of nationwide burrito drops. If this pilot soars, expect more Chipotle locations to join the drone party, especially in drone-friendly Dallas.

The DroneXL Take

As a drone pilot with seven years of dodging trees and chasing epic shots, I’m hyped about Zipotle, but let’s sprinkle some salt on this burrito. Dropping a 5.5-pound order in Rowlett is cool—my Inspire could probably handle that—but scaling to every Chipotle in America? That’s a tall order, like flying through a Texas twister with no GPS.

Zipline’s Platform 2 drones are slick, and the tethered drop is pure genius, but I’ve seen gusts turn a perfect flight into a heart-pounding recovery mission. The FAA’s BVLOS rules are loosening, but they’re still tighter than a packed burrito. And let’s talk payload—8 pounds max won’t cut it for my family’s Chipotle order, especially with extra guac!

Still, this is a huge win for drone tech and hungry pilots. Delivering fresh food in minutes, not hours, could be a game-changer for fast-casual joints. I’m rooting for Zipline and Chipotle to nail this, but it’s one flight at a time. So, DroneXL readers, grab your controllers and dream of a world where drones deliver dinner. Who’s ordering a Zipotle bowl tonight?

Photographs courtesy of Chipotle