*By Jacqueline Corba* Chipotle launched a direct-delivery service Tuesday through its mobile app and the chain's latest partnership with DoorDash. The push for accessibility is part of a turnaround strategy championed by CEO Brian Niccol after a string of health scares, the most recent at one of its Ohio restaurants last month. "Offering delivery and another chance to get Chipotle is something that has been a goal of ours," the company's chief digital and information officer, Curt Garner, said Tuesday in an interview on Cheddar. "We think speed has always been a competitive advantage for Chipotle, and speed of delivery is something we expect to win in as well." Chipotle has said speed and access are [top priorities](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chipotle-fans-rejoice-chipotle-launches-direct-delivery-service-with-free-promotion-300703130.html), and now customers can get their food delivered without leaving the company's app or website. With the service available at 18,000 locations, Garner said Chipotle is [DoorDash's](https://cheddar.com/videos/doordash-plans-massive-expansion-after-250-million-funding-raise) largest retail partner. The company outlined a plan in [June](https://newsroom.chipotle.com/2018-06-27-Chipotle-Announces-Growth-Strategies-Focused-On-Winning-Today-And-Cultivating-A-Better-Future), putting fourth an agenda to become more engaging, [visible](https://cheddar.com/videos/chipotle-launches-aluminaries-project), and culturally relevant. It's also a means to restore public trust after the string of health scares, which started back in [2015](https://www.barrons.com/articles/chipotle-is-its-latest-health-scare-more-of-a-speed-bump-1535054326). In its second-quarter [earnings](https://ir.chipotle.com/2018-07-26-Chipotle-Announces-Second-Quarter-2018-Results), Chipotle reported a 33 percent increase in digital sales, which now account for more than 10 percent of the total. "We think we will continue to see digital become an even bigger part of our business," Garner said. Cheddar tested the in-app service and ordered lunch for pickup, because delivery was not available to the network's office, even though it's located just 0.2 miles from the nearest location. Cheddar's producer said the process was smooth, and the order was accurate. While there was a line out the door for walk-in during the lunch rush, Cheddar's order was one of just seven cued up from digital purchases. For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/chipotle-inks-largest-retailer-deal-with-doordash).
