Chipotle Mexican Grill started cooking up the ... for drive-through pickup still wait with everyone else in the same line.

Ordering a burrito at Chipotle can seem like a free-for-all. But the company has a precise method to ensure food stays fresh, costs don't skyrocket and customers are happy.

Mexican fast-food chain Chipotle (NYSE:CMG) in Q4 CY2024, with sales up 13.1% year on year to $2.85 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.25 per share was in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.