Because all of their 2,000 locations were closed lunchtime on Monday for a mandatory company-wide food safety meeting, Chipotle is making it up to their customers by giving away a free burrito.

The freebie comes in the wake of several nationwide E. coli, norovirus and salmonella outbreaks at the fast-food chain.

E. coli outbreak linked to Chipotle expands to 6 states



To address the rash of bad press, falling stock prices and plummeting customer loyalty, founder and co-CEO Steve Ells addressed concerns in a statement In January on the company's web site. "Over the last few months, we have been implementing an enhanced food safety plan that will establish Chipotle as an industry leader in food safety," he said. "Most of the new protocols are already in place... Additionally, we have implemented unprecedented food safety standards with our suppliers, which make the food coming into our restaurants safer than ever before."



To claim the free burrito, simply text 'RAINCHECK' to 888-222 and a redeemable coupon will soon arrive. To find your closest Chipotle location, visit the company's web site.

Anthony Venutolo may be reached at avenutolo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyVenutolo and Google+. Find NJ.com on Facebook.