Monday, February 05, 2007

AMBASSADORSHIP a.k.a. The Best Day of My Life

This, my friends, is one very very very long story...bear with me. It all began when a new Chipotle restaurant opened up on 99th and McDowell (only 2 miles away as opposed to the old one which was 5 miles away). My school had the opportunity for an exclusive preview and pre-opening festivities. Of course I was there in a heartbeat, engaging in all of the wonderful activities such as ordering a burrito, paying for said burrito, eating said burrito and talking to wonderful classmates who are also enjoying the fiesta. While there, the day before the Grand-Opening, a nice lady (quite young) saw me, offered me a free shirt and we conversed briefly. Nothing super exciting. End of the day.

It is now Friday, the Grand-Opening and of course I am there right after school for the special perks of opening day which included; 1 free t-shirt, 1 five-dollar gift card to Chipotle, 1 chance to enter a drawing for free burritos for a year, and as many free magnets you felt comfortable stuffing in your pockets. My friends and I finish eating and I begin to read the back of the gift card and the comical information provided. After finishing, the same lady (who I later learned was Shelly Whittle) confronted me and we spoke about how funny Chipotle is and how much I LOVE it. She offers to turn in my ticket for the drawing and I innocently asked if I could keep the Chipotle pen I wrote my information with. This is what started it all.

Shelly started telling me about something called the Master Burrito Ambassador. Not employed by Chipotle exactly, but as close as it gets. Basically what it is (from her description) are regular Joe-Smoes from the street who emphatically love Chipotle. They are nominated ONLY by a Chipotle Manager and chosen in Colorado by Steve Ells (the founder) and a commitee of Chipotle Specialists. The newly appointed MBA is now given through the mail exclusive Chipotle items and Burrito Bucks periodically. The whole job of the MBA is to spread the good word of Chipotle. The MBA would also be invited to attend Chipotle Promotions and operate the Chipotle Wheel. (one free spin on a Wheel-of-Fortune-esque wheel with burritos and shirts) She asked if I would be interested in something like this...and I about died. I told her this was what I've been waiting for me whole life and she said she'd get back to me soon.

(2 MONTHS LATER)


By now I've given up hope, it was a good dream, but it passed. Then randomly I checked my e-mail. Lo and behold, Shelly Whittle e-mailed me this e-mail.

Hello Joey Cozza,

I met you at our Grand Opening of our 99th Avenue and McDowell Chipotle location. I had told you about a very special honor of Master Burrito Ambassador. Your dedication and passion for our food and Chipotle has brought this honor to you. Chipotle has over 600 restaurants nationwide, but only a handful of MBA’s. It is an honor not just anyone is granted and therefore we take nominations very seriously. As an MBA you will receive many special Chipotle items and news. You can also get involved in Chipotle events and marketing activities if you so choose. You’ll be contacted by me every once in awhile to be invited to some exciting special events Chipotle is a part of to further our brand and spread the burrito love. As an MBA we want you to continue to do what you already have done, by creating other Chipotle lovers and introducing them to our burritos and tacos!

To be considered to become an MBA please answer the following questions

  1. Your story…Where, when, how did you and Chipotle meet?
  2. Why do you LOVE Chipotle?
  3. What do you think makes Chipotle different from other restaurants?
  4. If I gave you 25 burrito bucks (each worth a free burrito) what would you do with them?
  5. Who have you brought over to our side? (Who would blame you for becoming a Chipotlean?)

I need to following information from you…as well.

Mailing Address
Contact Phone
Contact email
TShirt size

Thank you and congratulations!

Shelly Whittle
Burrito Bandit

Wow, I was awe struck, this was my chance! So I sent this e-mail back to her. (Did anyone catch that she signs all of her professional e-mails and letters as Shelly Whittle-Burrito Bandit?)

Shelly,
Thank you for contacting me about this wonderful oppurtunity.

1. I first met sweet Chipotle with my older brother about one year ago. He was addicted and kept raving about it awesome it was. So, he and I decided to go to the Chipotle on Litchfield and McDowell. After the first bite of
succulent carnitas, I was hooked.
2. I love Chipotle because of the great unique taste, the amount of food given, and the wonderful Chipotle Tabasco Sauce. But even more than that, I think it's something you put in the rice, I could eat that stuff from the pot with a spoon.
3. What makes Chipotle different in my eyes, is the whole set-up. You walk in, choose from a menu of ONLY high quality items, get the fresh food made in front of you in about 2 minutes, and to top it all off, employees co
me around every so often asking if the food was satisfactory, asking to take away trash; real high class treatment from a fast-food style restaurant.
4. If I had 25 burrito bucks, I would keep two for myself, give one to my two best friends, and then give them away to people who have never been to Chipotle. I know a few people at my school who have never been and think it costs too much money, if I give them a free one, I know they'd change their opinion.
5. I have brought six people for sure, four of which go to Chipotle regularly. I have no doubt (and hopfully) brought countless others with my constant, border-line obsessive, wearing of my Chipotle T-shirts of which I own three. Also, for a wiffle-ball tournament my friends and I were in, we wore Chipotle T-shirts (Foil Shizzle) along with absurd orange shorts as our team uniform. As seen from the pictures I have included in this e-mail.



Again, thank you very much for this nomination. I hope you hear back from you soon.


Joey Cozza-Chipotle Enthusiast



Along with that e-mail I attached these photos.

So all I could do now, was wait. 2 weeks later it happened. At the school talent show, during intermission, mom gave me a package sent from Colorado (the birthplace of Chipotle). I knew right away what is was and I had to show everyone. I opened the package back stage in front of my friends. After pulling out the framed Certificate wrapped in my exclusive MBA T-shirt, I had people bowing down to me. Literally. Along with that I got 11 free Burrito Bucks (each worth a burrito) and a Chipotle Calendar. I am so blessed.

So that is where I am today, 1 of 100 Master Burrito Ambassadors in the world. My only concern is that there is no Chipotle in Provo!




I want everyone to know that I spent more time on this blog than I typically spend on my homework...in a week.

9 comments:

Parker Family said...

This story was definitely worth the wait. And the subtitle KILLS me. I love it so much.

And I have to think that your Chipotle-ness is going to change Provo forever.

J

Anonymous said...

Yes, worth the wait, Master BA.

So what DID you do with the 11 coupons?

Joseph said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Joseph said...

Hmm, well I've used 1 for myself. I owe one to my scout leader, and I am taking a girl on a date and having that be our dinner...then one more for me...THEN give them away to people. Is that bad? :)

And also Jana, I plan on changing it to random movie quotes we'll all know periodically. So keep your eyes open.

Parker Family said...

oooh, LOVE it!

My eyes are open.
J

ryan said...

So, Joe, I mentioned to my office mate yesterday that you are the newest MBA of Chipotle. He is from Virginia, but apparently is also a fan of Chipotles. He asked if you would be serving a mission, and I answered in the affirmative. He then asked if you would be serving a mission for the Church...or for Chipotles. Ha!

Gina said...

Great story. You'll have to use your Ambassador-ness to get a Chipotle in UT. And by the way, I think the tortilla is one of the greatest parts of the burritos - I can't believe how elastic they are. You can stuff so much food in those things!

Also, are you sure you want ALL of your contact information posted on the World Wide Web??

Anonymous said...

Can I be your substitute ambassador while you're gone??

Jodie said...

Awesome, Joe! I know you can work your magic to get one in Provo! I have a ton of friends who love it and would go to the one in Vegas every time they drove past. Provo definitely needs one...