Sibling Rivalry

They competed at everything, sports, food competitions, clothes, everything became a competition because that’s what sisters do. But this was the last straw! Pico fumed as she reread the menu. Chipotle was her sanctuary, a place to go when everything was overwhelming, this was a place she could count on to give her peace and perspective. Now looking at the menu items she felt that peace disappear. HOW COULD SHE DO THIS TO ME!!!

Pico’s older sister: Cryspy was trying to edge in on her success. Growing up Cryspy had been the best student, always on the honor roll with perfect grades. Pico just couldn’t measure up! Cryspy also excelled at sports, well of course, as a tortilla chip she had more stamina, Pico’s mix of veggies wouldn’t allow her to run track or try out for the pickle-ball team. In college Cryspy went with a full scholarship and had interned at Tostitos eventually landing a job at their corporate office. Lately she had complained about “big business politics” and executives skimming from the top (of the dip) but never in a million years did Pico think her sister would quit her well paying job and find a home at the one and only real accomplishment her sister had: Chipotle.

Since coming to Chipotle, Pico finally felt like she fit in, this was a place she knew she was appreciated, she knew she was her own person, she didn’t need Cryspy poking around in her business all the time. How would this work?? She loved her sister but could they really work together and not make it a competition, could they be friends without the underlying sense of opposition being in the way?

Her phone rang and she picked it up:

“Pico, how are you?” her boss, El Grande Queso (the Big Cheese) asked.

“I’m as fresh as ever, what can I do for you today?” Pico asked, wondering why her boss had called her on a Sunday evening.

“Well Pico, big news, we’ve been testing all weekend and you’re a hit!!!” he exclaimed.

Pico was lost, testing? Were they testing her to see her reaction to Cryspy’s addition?

El Grande took her silence for shock “That’s right! I mean we’ve tried this before but it was never quite this perfect! This will go down in Chipotle history as the best pairing ever!

“Sir?” Pico was so confused, she shook her head to clear out the salt.

“Why Cryspy of course!” he replied and her heart sank, he was singing her sister’s praises already. Cryspy and Chipotle, the best pairing ever. She thought she might just throw up.

“That’s great sir,” she tried to sound confident “I’m sure Chipotle has made a great decision adding Cryspy, she’s one of kind.

“You got that right” bellowed her boss “But we wouldn’t be such a success without this Chips and Salsa combo, as I said you’re a hit!”

Pico heard him correctly this time. “Chips and Salsa combo,” understanding dawned on her making her smile “You mean my sister and I?”

“Of course! We’ve been testing at our locations all weekend and the most asked for items has been chips and salsa plates! With Cryspy’s crunchy, salty goodness and your fresh spicy taste we can’t go wrong! See you at work tomorrow bright and early, we have a meeting with the board of flavor, wear your best cilantro, I see a raise in your future!”

Pico hung up beaming! Finally something they were both equally good at, finally something they couldn’t compete for, without her Cryspy would just be a chip and without her sister she would just be another ingredient. Her heart warmed as she picked up the phone, her sister answered on the first ring and Pico smiled “Hey sis, just wanted to welcome you to Chipotle…..”