Chipotle’s CEO went viral this week after saying clients ought to ask for extra meals if they need it.
I went to a few completely different areas to place his promise of “abundance” to the take a look at.
I discovered that portion sizes — and whether or not you may get further add-ons without cost — rely upon who you ask.
The primary Chipotle worker I spoke to began scooping extra steak into my bowl earlier than I may end my sentence.
“Can I get somewhat further meat?” I requested.
With out hesitation, the employee reached for one more full scoop.
I finished her halfway by. I wasn’t truly making an attempt to order my bowl “double protein” model. I used to be testing a declare made this week by Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright, after years of complaints that the chain’s parts have gotten stingier.
“You must ask for somewhat extra,” Boatwright mentioned on Yahoo Finance’s “Energy Gamers” podcast.
“Abundance,” he added, “has at all times been our model ethos, and it’s nonetheless to today: We serve large, stunning bowls and burritos — full cease, no questions requested.”
“If you would like extra, simply ask the workforce member,” Boatwright mentioned in a clip that has since gone viral. “I promise you, there’s by no means a workforce member on that line who’s going to say no to you.”
So on Wednesday afternoon, I visited three Chipotle areas in California to see what would occur if I requested for extra.
The lunch rush discovered the eating room almost full, with a protracted line of consumers ready for his or her to-go orders.Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert
The reply: It relies on what you are asking for, who’s behind the counter, and the way a lot meals the shop has left that day.
In any respect three areas, staff instructed me the identical factor: Clients can ask for further parts of non-premium elements like rice, beans, fajita veggies, corn salsa, cheese, and lettuce with out being charged extra.
Protein, guacamole, and queso are completely different.
When reached for remark by Enterprise Insider, a Chipotle spokesperson reiterated the coverage. The chain’s new cilantro lime sauce can also be further, they mentioned.
“At Chipotle, our intentions are to offer an excellent visitor expertise each time,” Laurie Schalow, chief company affairs officer, mentioned in an announcement to Enterprise Insider. That is why visitors can “vocalize or digitally choose their desired parts” of all non-premium elements.
Santa Barbara, California
On the first location, after I recognized myself as a reporter, a supervisor stepped in to clarify the coverage and why I might must pay for a second serving to of steak.
Staff can provide clients extra of “something aside from protein, guacamole, or queso,” she instructed me. Since these are premium objects, they arrive with a surcharge — normally a further $2.50 to $4.10 per entrée, relying on the merchandise.
The supervisor mentioned she’d seen clips of Boatwright’s feedback circulating on-line and anticipated the problem to return up throughout a regional assembly later this month.
Two workers working the road chimed in to say they’d seen the video, too.
The Chipotle workers who spoke to Enterprise Insider mentioned adherence to their “extras” coverage varies barely relying on who’s working the road.Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert
The supervisor mentioned clients often ask for further parts, however she expects extra individuals to start out doing so since Boatwright’s feedback have unfold.
Oxnard, California
At a second location, I watched the shopper forward of me ask for further cheese with no pushback. One other buyer acquired extra rice on her tacos with none questions.
When it was my flip, a server once more reiterated the identical coverage: Additional parts of non-premium elements have been nice, the remaining got here with a cost. I used to be given extra fajita greens and corn salsa with no extra questions or payment.
Staff there additionally mentioned the continuing on-line discourse round Chipotle parts has made their jobs more durable.
“That is simply the way it goes right here,” one employee mentioned after describing how upset clients have turn into about parts.
One other worker mentioned the shop’s rooster provide had just lately been working low, forcing workers to be extra conservative with servings. Whereas most clients are well mannered, she mentioned she worries concerning the anger she sees on-line spilling into shops.
Ventura, California
The third Chipotle I visited was a lot quieter as I entered after the lunch rush. Staff have been extra candid about how a lot discretion particular person shops — and managers — have.
One employee instructed me workers are educated throughout onboarding to start out with an ordinary serving dimension and supply extra non-premium elements if clients ask.
Each workers I spoke with mentioned that how strictly the coverage is enforced usually relies on administration.
If elements are working low, for instance, grill cooks or managers could inform staff to “watch your parts,” one worker mentioned.
At that location, staff mentioned managers have been pretty relaxed about further parts — typically for premium objects.
“It is no large deal to us,” one worker mentioned.
Each staff mentioned buyer complaints about portion sizes are fixed.
“Folks are available mad on a regular basis,” one instructed me.
“On a regular basis,” the opposite echoed.
They mentioned they’d seen extra clients asking for further meals since Boatwright’s feedback began circulating on-line. Whereas workers at their retailer have not had main points with offended clients, they mentioned they heard staff at stricter areas are getting yelled at extra regularly after they have to clarify surcharge guidelines.
Chipotle’s portion sizes assorted at every location.Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert
Boatwright’s feedback aren’t the primary time Chipotle management has addressed portion complaints. Firm executives have spent years pushing again towards accusations that it has diminished serving sizes, whereas social media customers repeatedly put up movies criticizing skimpy meals alongside “hacks” to get bigger scoops.
The newest kerfuffle is touchdown at a second when the entire fast-casual bowl class is below stress to justify its price ticket. As Enterprise Insider has reported, diners are getting extra skeptical concerning the worth of meals from chains like Chipotle, Cava, and Sweetgreen.
Chipotle’s April 29 earnings name underscored what’s at stake with that debate. The corporate mentioned the primary quarter of 2026 represented a return to optimistic transaction progress after 4 quarters of declines final yr. Executives within the name repeatedly underscored that “beneficiant parts” and pricing under inflation are the explanations visitors are coming again.
After spending a day asking for further meals myself, my greatest takeaway wasn’t that Boatwright acquired it incorrect. It was that Chipotle’s portion coverage appears much less like a tough rule and extra like a sliding scale — one formed by native managers, provide shortages, and whichever worker occurs to be holding the spoon.
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