Today, February 24th, Boloco turns 15 years old.  When each of you have birthdays, we give all of you (well, registered boloco cardholders anyway) a free burrito.  So what will we do on our own birthday?  Oh trust us, you want to know.

But first... we must make some announcements.  Brace yourselves because this first announcement is the kind that no restaurant or retailer ever likes to announce.  Please grit your teeth and try to make it to the more inspiring announcements that follow!

THE NOT-SO-GOOD:

For the first time since February 2010, we're increasing our prices. That's right, we haven't taken an across the board price increase in 2 years... during which time you may have noticed that the cost of groceries at the supermarket have increased and now gas is heading back up, just to name two of the usual suspects.  We hate this part of our business.  We hate that some of you will hate us for it.  But it's one of those moments where we have to do a rain dance, say a few prayers, and hope that you will continue to see great value in what we do (or we're dead).

And with that, we move to the better news... is anybody still there?! (we hope so)

THE GOOD

As the price increases hit each restaurant, a great big chunk of the additional dollars will go directly to benefit our team members and their ability to build happy, fulfilling lives at Boloco and beyond. 

You see, we have a problem at Boloco, as do most of the other businesses in our industry: the people working in fast-food restaurants, on average, don't make enough money to earn a living that truly takes care of their lives and families, nurtures their futures, and allows them to go after their dreams.  They can't even afford to take advantage of thebest-in-class benefits we offer them.  At Boloco, we see it as our single most important job to positively impact the lives and futures of our people through "bold and inspired" food and practices.

Now, there is no doubt that some of you will call foul here - people will say that paying our team members is a "Boloco responsibility" and that it shouldn't be "paid for" by our guests.  Well, as most of you know, everything is and always has been paid for by you, our guests.  Because without you, we truly wouldn't be here. And the only difference is that we are publicly committing your dollars to benefiting the lives of the people you see in our restaurants every day.  In addition to pushing for livable wages (very rare in our industry sadly), starting on April 1, we will be helping our team members pay for increasing transportation costs and implementing a more meaningful (that means, more $) bonus plan tied to YOUR happiness as guests.

MORE GOOD

While price increases are painful, price decreases are a joy. Any orders placed online or via our iPhone app will be discounted 10% from our new pricing.  Which is also a big discount from our former pricing!  Why?  Well, it shortens the lines, which makes other guests happier and shortens your wait, which hopefully makes you happier.  Time is still money.  So hopefully this unprecedented change makes a LOT of people happy.  Oh, what's that you say?  You're an Android user??  It's coming.  Soon, very soon.  Patience :)

Menu Improvements:

• The Mini Bundle!  Two minis for the price of an original... indecisive?  want to try two flavors?  Now you can.
• Our Indian Trio battled it out, and in the end, Team Tikka won!  The Tikka Masala is now a permanent menu item. 
• The Yucatan Habanero is GONE from the menu, but pickled onions are staying (we know, people have serious addictions to them!) so you can still order the burrito.  It's now a "secret" item.  Only you know about it.
• The Spicy BLT is back! So yes, that means, the "Bring Back Bacon" campaign was a success - bacon will now be available at all times of day (not just breakfast)!
• The Chinese salad and House salad are gone, replaced with the Chopped Sesame, which is like the House Salad just with the Chinese (Asian Sesame) dressing.  We think its mighty tasty.
• White Meat Chicken & Guacamole - are now priced more "size-appropriately." So, when you order a mini you pay less for these "adds" then you do if you order an original.  It's only fair.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

It would be a serious anti-boloco move not to announce some exciting news for you, our guests, at the same time as the challenging news of the price increases.

Starting today and continuing through early April, we will be hosting 15 free burrito days at all 18 locations and it's going to be an amazing 35,000+ burrito giveaway.  For a free burrito day near you, check out our birthday celebration schedule:

During these 15 free burrito days, we have an audacious goal to raise $25,000 for the charitable arm of Life is good., the Life is good. Playmakers. The Playmakers are fundamentally about play and optimism, which we totally love.  But their mission is a serious one.  The Playmakers provide training and support to childcare professionals on the value of play to help children overcome exposure to poverty, violence and illness.  Check out this video that Chief Playmaker, Steve Gross, and one of our Lead Burrito Makers, Matty T, created just yesterday!