Chipotle Mexican Grill has teamed up with autonomous delivery company Zipline to test a new drone-based delivery service in the greater Dallas area.

The service, branded as ‘Zipotle’, launched this week for a small group of users, with a wider rollout planned in the coming weeks. The first location to offer the service is Chipotle’s Rowlett restaurant, operating daily from 12pm to 8pm CT, with plans to extend to 10pm.

Using Zipline’s quiet, zero-emission aircraft, orders are flown directly to customers’ locations – including backyards and public parks – and lowered gently to the ground via a tether from about 300 feet in the air. The system is designed to navigate obstacles and deliver meals at near dine-in freshness.

Customers in the Rowlett area can access the service by downloading the Zipline app, placing an order and selecting Zipotle delivery. The initial weight limit for deliveries is 5.5 pounds, increasing to 8 pounds in the future.

Curt Garner, president, chief strategy and technology officer at Chipotle, said: "Zipotle is a quick and convenient source of delivery that lets guests enjoy our real food from places that are traditionally challenging to serve, including backyards and public parks. Zipline's commitment to building an efficient, environmentally friendly delivery experience is synonymous with our mission to Cultivate a Better World."

Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO and co-founder of Zipline, added: "With Zipline, you tap a button, and minutes later food magically appears – hot, fresh and ultra-fast. Starting today, families in the Dallas area can have food delivered by Zipotle and served for lunch or dinner. What once felt like science fiction is soon going to become totally normal."