Can The Government Really Force The Augusta Chipotle To Reopen?

Many of us were really bummed when we learned that the Chipotle restaurant in Augusta was going to be closing its doors permanently.  Actually, many fans of the restaurant had been annoyed for months leading up to the closure.  It seemed like, no matter when you visited the restaurant, it was always closed.

These closures were despite the fact that the website for the location always said it was open regular hours.  In fact, the website would even allow you to place an order.  Then, when you showed up, you would find the location closed.

According to former employees of the location, they had been dealing with staffing, supply, and equipment issues for months.  At one point, they staged a walkout.  After returning to work, the employees discussed unionizing.

At the same time, the corporate office attempted to hire employees for the restaurant.

In the end, the Chipotle corporate office made the decision to permanently close the location.

Now, according to an article in the KJ, Chipotle may be forced to reopen the closed Marketplace at Augusta location.  The article explains that a complaint has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board.  The complaint alleges that the location was closed because the employees were trying to unionize and that the employees displaced by the closure of the location were refused employment at other area Chipotle locations.

Late on Thursday, the National Labor Relations Board decided that the corporation was in the wrong and should reopen the closed location, reinstate former employees, and pay back wages.

The company has until November 17th to respond to the ruling.

So yes, in theory, if the company fails to respond adequately, they could be forced to reopen the restaurant, which has been closed since July.

For those who are unfamiliar, Chipotle is almost like a Mexican version of Subway.  You walk down a line, choosing your burrito (taco or bowl) ingredients as you go.  Your food is assembled right in front of you.