Burrito: white rice (two scoops), black beans, chicken, pico de gallo, sour cream, cheese, lettuce (extra). Everyone thinks they have the best Chipotle order. Junior Nikhil Arya doesn’t just think, he knows. His credentials? As the mind behind Chipotle Friday (patent coming soon) Arya is beloved by both Fallsgrove Chipotle workers and students alike for his obsession, combining his two favorite things, Chipotle and Friday, into one weekly holiday.
What started as a simple idea back in 2023, the summer before Arya’s freshman year, Chipotle Friday has quickly taken on a life of its own. “My freshman year I would mention Chipotle Friday to people in class every now and then, but now it has grown into something so much bigger where people come up to me in the halls saying, ‘Happy Chipotle Friday,’” Arya said.
Every week Arya, a self described “social butterfly,” excitedly counts down the days until Friday, reaching out to friends and classmates across all grade levels to determine a plan for that week’s Chipotle Friday outing. While no two Chipotle Fridays are ever the same, every meal consists of Arya’s signature “BeReal” picture and go-to order. “The conversation is different, the friends are different, but never in a million years would I change up my order, it’s elite,” Arya said.
Just like Thanksgiving, where individuals create deep social bonds and improve happiness/wellbeing over a shared meal, Chipotle Friday is no different. “I’m so happy to share the occasion. The whole point of Chipotle Friday is to try and bond with friends and family over food,” Arya said.
His efforts have certainly paid off. In addition to bringing classmates together for a good time, Arya ranks in the top 1.3% of Chipotle customers in the state of Maryland. Even crazier?! Arya ranks in the top 1.6% of all Chipotle customers nationwide, according to Chipotle app data.
As a frequent face at the local Fallsgrove Chipotle Grill, bringing in a wealth of customers each week, the location’s General Manager Andres Mera awarded Arya with his very own Chipotle employee shirt. However, Arya’s impact goes well beyond Chipotle.
As Breakfast Club president, Arya brings joy to the school day as well, offering free waffles and pancakes to Breakfast Club members during the club’s frequent meetings in room 263.
This passion for giving back and creating community through food first started when Arya was a kindergartener at Stone Mill Elementary School. When a classmate brought in donuts on their birthday, Arya was floored and soon began bringing in donuts on his own birthday as well. Over the years, as other kids stopped the tradition, Arya continued on, evolving from one dozen to two dozen doughnuts to hand out in the halls. “Everyone is always asking me why are you giving out donuts on your birthday, we should be giving you stuff. But in my opinion it’s not about that. Yes my birthday is about celebrating myself but it’s also about celebrating my friends and saying how much I appreciate them,” Arya said.
Few people have the ability to bring others together as well as Arya. With his reach connecting countless friend groups through Chipotle Fridays, Breakfast Club meetings and birthday donuts, Arya’s impact will be felt through the continuation of his traditions for years to come.
Junior Nikhil Arya celebrates Chipotle Friday with friends at the local Fallsgrove Chipotle Grill location. “I met Nikhil at my summer lifeguarding job and we instantly clicked. After the first shift we planned to run a chipotle Friday, I loved hearing all the juicy gossip while eating super good guac,” senior and Chipotle Friday guest Jenny Brailovsky said.
