The Unexpected Key to Gen Z Engagement for Brands Like Chipotle

The Unexpected Key to Gen Z Engagement for Brands Like Chipotle

A custom scholarship experience designed to energize Gen Z and drive real-world engagement. This case study demonstrates how ScholarshipOwl can help brands like Chipotle connect with their target audience in innovative ways.

A custom scholarship experience designed to energize Gen Z and drive real-world engagement. This case study demonstrates how ScholarshipOwl can help brands like Chipotle connect with their target audience in innovative ways.

From Struggles to Solutions

From Struggles to Solutions

Goals

This ScholarshipOwl test campaign aimed to explore how brands like Chipotle could connect with Gen Z by encouraging in-store or online retail action. The goal was to see if our users would perform an action that drove engagement with a physical or virtual retail destination, gathering valuable first-party and sentiment data.

Goals

This ScholarshipOwl test campaign aimed to explore how brands like Chipotle could connect with Gen Z by encouraging in-store or online retail action. The goal was to see if our users would perform an action that drove engagement with a physical or virtual retail destination, gathering valuable first-party and sentiment data.

Goals

This ScholarshipOwl test campaign aimed to explore how brands like Chipotle could connect with Gen Z by encouraging in-store or online retail action. The goal was to see if our users would perform an action that drove engagement with a physical or virtual retail destination, gathering valuable first-party and sentiment data.

Solution

We built a custom scholarship, "The Chipotle Fan Scholarship: Real Food, Real Impact," with a User-Generated Content (UGC) feature that spotlighted real student stories. Students were asked to share photos of their unique Chipotle order experience. This approach boosted authenticity and engagement, proving the power of scholarships as a unique marketing channel for businesses.

Solution

We built a custom scholarship, "The Chipotle Fan Scholarship: Real Food, Real Impact," with a User-Generated Content (UGC) feature that spotlighted real student stories. Students were asked to share photos of their unique Chipotle order experience. This approach boosted authenticity and engagement, proving the power of scholarships as a unique marketing channel for businesses.

Solution

We built a custom scholarship, "The Chipotle Fan Scholarship: Real Food, Real Impact," with a User-Generated Content (UGC) feature that spotlighted real student stories. Students were asked to share photos of their unique Chipotle order experience. This approach boosted authenticity and engagement, proving the power of scholarships as a unique marketing channel for businesses.

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The Outcome:
Chipotle User Experience in Full View

The Outcome:
Chipotle User Experience in Full View

The Outcome:
Chipotle User Experience in Full View

In just one month and four days, this campaign achieved remarkable success, demonstrating the immense potential of brand-focused scholarships.
A massive 832 students responded by submitting photos of their unique Chipotle order experience, showcasing their engagement with the brand.

ScholarshipOwl users clearly demonstrated their willingness to engage with brand-focused calls to action, providing a perfect way to gather first-party data and sentiment data on what products college students prefer within a retailer's portfolio of offerings.

Insights

Insights

Insights

Key Market Insights for Chipotle

Beyond the impressive engagement, this campaign offered valuable market insights. The high volume of student submissions revealed a strong existing interest in the Chipotle brand among the Gen Z audience. Furthermore, observations from student interactions, including some who expressed difficulty affording the meals, highlighted a significant learning opportunity: there's a clear need for special meal offers or dedicated menu for students beyond the "Back to school" offer in September tailored specifically for high school and college students. A student-focused offering could further deepen brand loyalty and accessibility for this key demographic. This campaign successfully proved that connecting with Gen Z through scholarships can also be a powerful tool for gathering actionable market intelligence.

See It In Action

See It In Action

See It In Action

Real Applications from Students

Real Applications from Students

Real Applications from Students

Preview

Student View of Your Chipotle Scholarship

The Chipotle Fan Scholarship: Real Food, Real Impact Scholarship was dedicated to Chipotle fans. The Scholarship offered a life-changing opportunity for students to support their educational journey. The application process was simple and focused on students who shared photos of their Chipotle orders, directly connecting their passion for the brand with a tangible reward.

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Scholarship Preview

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projects, notes, resources, and everything in between.

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Testimonial

Testimonial

Testimonial

“I was fortunate to discover this scholarship through the Scholarship Owl website, and I am honored to have been chosen as a recipient. I am excited and grateful for this opportunity and look forward to using the scholarship to support my future endeavors and educational journey. My next step is to study biomedical engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago.”

“I was fortunate to discover this scholarship through the Scholarship Owl website, and I am honored to have been chosen as a recipient. I am excited and grateful for this opportunity and look forward to using the scholarship to support my future endeavors and educational journey. My next step is to study biomedical engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago.”

“I was fortunate to discover this scholarship through the Scholarship Owl website, and I am honored to have been chosen as a recipient. I am excited and grateful for this opportunity and look forward to using the scholarship to support my future endeavors and educational journey. My next step is to study biomedical engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago.”

Devin S. Won $1,000.

Contact us

Contact us

Contact us

Let’s Build Your Campaign Like This

Let’s Build Your Campaign Like This

Let’s Build Your Campaign Like This

Use scholarships as a powerful tool for marketing, lead generation, and social impact. Reach 11M+ Gen Z students with campaigns that truly connect. Ready to drive results? Let’s talk!

Fragment OS
Your Second Brain

Fragment OS is an all-in-one Notion system that centralizes tasks,

projects, notes, resources, and everything in between.

Fragments OS
Fragments OS