Brandon Bussi, the unexpected hero of the Carolina Hurricanes‘ 2026 Stanley Cup run, claimed what he called “hockey’s ultimate prize” on Friday — a Chipotle sponsorship.
He becomes an official Chipotle Partner just a few weeks after becoming a Stanley Cup champion, and six years after being an employee. Per his LinkedIn, Bussi worked part-time at Chipotle for three months, from June to August 2020, while playing at Western Michigan University and coaching at Stop It Goaltending.
Bussi revealed on the What Chaos! podcast that he took the gig because he needed some extra money to pay for summer training ahead of his sophomore season.
“I’m a college student, man. I need money,” he said. “Monday through Thursday, I was training and coaching at Stop It Goaltending, and then on the weekends I’d pick up some shifts at Chipotle.”
In addition to training and spending money, Bussi took advantage of his employee perks that summer. “Every time I worked I got it for free, and I got 50 percent off when I wasn’t working, so I had it quite a bit that summer and I enjoyed it.”
“I still like Chipotle,” he assured. “I enjoy getting a bowl or burrito from there.”
The hosts of What Chaos! then pointed out that many athletes get deals after winning championships, mentioning Brad Marchand’s stint with DQ, and said they could see Chipotle pursuing a partnership soon.
“I wouldn’t mind it,” Bussi replied on June 24, sixteen days before the official announcement.
His time behind the counter in Chipotle is just a small part of the 28-year-old’s unconventional journey to the NHL. After three seasons of his collegiate career and his time at Chipotle, Bussi remained undrafted and went on to play five games with the Providence Bruins in the AHL in 2021-22. He signed an entry contract with the Boston Bruins the next season, and remained with the Bruins organization through the 2024-25 season with no NHL call ups.
Last July, Bussi signed with the Florida Panthers during free agency, but was unable to make the team out of training camp. A day before final rosters were due in October, Bussi was placed on waivers in an effort to send him to the AHL, and he was claimed by the Carolina Hurricanes. For the first time, Bussi found himself on an NHL roster, and backed Andersen up during the team’s first two home games.
On October 14, Bussi made his NHL debut at 27-years-old against the San Jose Sharks in a 5-1 victory. Bussi went on to play 39 games in his first NHL season. He hit the 10 win mark in just 11 games, 20 wins in 24, and 25 wins in 29 games — all NHL records. He also earned himself a three-year extensions with the Canes in February.
Bussi then backed up Fredrick Andersen through the playoffs before coming in relief during game three. He earned his first career playoff NHL start in game four, and the former Chipotle employee helped Carolina claim wins in games four, five, and six to become Stanley Cup Champions, just eight months after his NHL debut.
Despite the adversity he faced, Bussi did whatever it took — even taking a fast-food job during the Covid-19 pandemic — to keep working towards his goal of playing in the NHL, and it all paid off this summer when he got his Chipotle sponsorship.
“Full circle,” as his caption read.
Bussi is not the first NHL player to enter an official partnership with Chipotle (though he may be the only former employee). Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, along with Hilary Knight and Taylor Heise, were members of the 2026 Team Chipotle, a special annual partnership promoting “Real Food for Real Athletes” and offering the option to order an athletes order.
Additionally, the NHL is currently in a multi-year partnership with Chipotle, and the popular restaurant recently became a sponsor of the Player’s Association for the first time ever. The two expanded their deal in 2025, after Chipotle first became an offial sponsor in 2021. During the 2025 playoffs, Chipotle ran a special BOGO offer for fans who arrived in their team’s jersey on a select afternoon for its fifth straight year.
Affectionately called “Chipper” by some of the hockey community, the chain is adored by many players along with Bussi.
