Chipotle Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What time does Chipotle close?

The standard closing time for Chipotle Mexican Grill is 10 p.m., but due to high demand, a growing number of restaurants are open until 11 p.m. Restaurants with extended hours are more likely to be found in high-population areas.

As hours are determined by location, you can contact your local Chipotle for more information. Find locations in your area here.

What is Chipotle?

Chipotle is a fast-casual chain restaurant with locations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and France. The restaurant specializes in made-to-order in bowls, tacos, and Mission burritos with a southwestern twist.

Its name comes from the chipotle pepper, a type of dried and smoked jalapeno that is a staple in Mexican and Mexican-inspired cuisines.

What kind of food is Chipotle?

Chipotle serves up a variety of made-to-order Mexican-inspired offerings including tacos, burritos, bowls, quesadillas, and salads. The restaurant’s use of high-quality natural and organic ingredients as well as its fast-casual dining style have helped it to establish a devoted fanbase.

What time does Chipotle open?

The standard opening time for Chipotle restaurants is 11 a.m., but due to high demand, a growing number of restaurants are opening as early as 10:30 a.m. Restaurants with extended hours are more likely to be found in high-population areas.

As hours are determined by location, you can contact your local Chipotle for more information. Find locations in your area here.

Who owns Chipotle?

The Vanguard Group is currently the majority stakeholder of Chipotle, with a 9.04% stake in the company.

Originally, Chipotle was owned by founder and former CEO Steve Ells, who sold the chain, then consisting of 16 restaurants, to McDonald’s in 1998.

McDonald’s would grow their stake to 90% ownership of the company in 2005 before selling its shares back to Chipotle just one year later. By 2009, Chipotle was one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the United States!

What kind of cheese does Chipotle use?

Can’t get enough of the cheesy goodness served up at Chipotle? The restaurant uses a mixed blend of white cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack. Their fan-favorite queso blanco is made with the same blend of cheeses melted down until it’s perfect for dipping, pouring, or eating with a spoon. We don’t judge!

How much does Chipotle pay?

According to data from Indeed and Glass Door the average salaries at Chipotle in 2022 are as follows:

Job Title

Hourly Salary

Crew Member

  $7.55 - $22.80 | Average: $15.08

Cook

  $7.75 - $23.35 | Average: $15.42

General Manager

$13.94 - $45.67 | Average: $18.30

The pay rate at Chipotle is determined by several things including job position and location. If you would like more information on the current salaries in your area, you can check for local job postings here.

How to make Chipotle rice?

Chipotle’s cilantro lime rice will leave you craving more, luckily, it isn’t hard to make at home. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Rice
  • Salt
  • Bay leaf
  • Cilantro ( or Parsley if preferred)
  • Lime juice
  • Lemon juice

Cook the rice as you normally would, including the bay leaf, adding salt to taste. Once the rice has finished cooking, take it off the heat and remove the bay leaf before mixing in finely chopped cilantro, and equal parts lemon and lime juice.

Want to get the rice just right? You can watch a number of former Chipotle employees make it using Chipotle’s official recipe and techniques at home:

What is Chipotle sauce?

Despite its popularity, there isn’t actually an official Chipotle sauce on the menu. So what is the reddish brown sauce that gives the restaurant’s food its signature kick? A housemade Adobo sauce, which is a staple in many Mexican and Mexican-inspired dishes.

How to make Chipotle sauce?

What many fans know as Chipotle sauce is actually a housemade Adobo. Luckily, this makes it very easy to recreate at home!

Traditionally, Adobo sauce is made with crushed tomatoes, a purée of dried chiles, fresh chopped onions and garlic, vinegar, and an assortment of spices including cinnamon, cumin, oregano, peppercorns, and paprika, all simmered together to create the thick and tangy sauce you know and love.

Don’t feel like experimenting? You can find a number of excellent recipes for Adobo sauce with a quick search online.

What is Sofritas at Chipotle?

Sofritas is a vegan dish made with tofu that has been shredded or finely chopped and braised in seasonings making it flavorful and a little spicy.

Looking for a meat-free option but not a fan of tofu? Ask to swap your protein with an extra serving of veggies or beans!

What is Barbacoa at Chipotle?

Chipotle’s Barbacoa features cuts of beef slow-cooked in a Mexican-inspired spice blend including cumin, oregano, and ground cloves, served in a thick adobo sauce.

What is Pollo Asado at Chipotle?

Pollo Asado means ‘grilled chicken’ in Spanish, and that’s just what it is! The Pollo Asado at Chipotle is marinated in a mix of citrus juices and ground cumin before being tossed in a secret spice blend and grilled to serve.

What is Carnitas at Chipotle?

Chipotle’s Carnitas is the delicious result of slow-cooking pork in a blend of seasonings that includes dried juniper berries, thyme, and bay leaves. Before serving, the pork is then shredded, earning its name, Carnitas, which means ‘little meats’ in Spanish!

How much is a Chipotle bowl?

You can expect to pay between $8.35 and $14.20 for a Chipotle bowl before customization.

After customization, vegetarian and vegan options are among the cheapest. Chicken is the most cost-effective protein, coming in at the same base price as meat-free options. Other proteins like the garlic guajillo steak can add between $3.55 and $5.30 to your order, depending on your location. Extras like Queso Blanco and guac will each add another $2.05 to $3.60 to your total.

How much is a Chipotle burrito?

You can expect to pay between $8.35 and $14.20 for a Chipotle burrito before customization.

After customization, vegetarian and vegan options are among the cheapest. Chicken is the most cost-effective protein, coming in at the same base price as meat-free options. Other proteins like the garlic guajillo steak can add between $3.55 and $5.30 to your order, depending on your location. Extras like Queso Blanco and guac will each add another $2.05 to $3.60 to your total.

How many calories in a Chipotle bowl?

A Chipotle bowl has between 705 and 1250 total calories, depending on your protein selection, and additional fixings including guac.

You can find the actual calories of your favorite made-to-order bowls using Chipotle’s official nutrition calculator here.

Looking to keep your calories low?

Skip the carnitas and opt for steak, sofritos, or chicken as your protein. You can also swap your protein for additional beans or veggies for a meat-free option with lower sodium.

Swapping a regular portion of rice for a half scoop will save you an extra 105 calories, and you can make up the missing volume from rice with extra veggies for no extra cost!

Go light on toppings like cheese, queso, sour cream, and guac. Can’t bear to go without guac? Don’t feel too guilty. It has plenty of healthy fats and vitamins to make up for the added calories!

How many calories in a Chipotle burrito?

Curious how many calories are in your favorite made-to-order Chipotle Burrito? On average a Chipotle burrito contains between 1085 and 1550 calories, depending on the fillings you choose.

You can find the actual calories of your favorite made-to-order burritos using Chipotle’s official nutrition calculator here.

When was Chipotle founded?

Chipotle was founded on July 13, 1993, in Denver, Colorado by Steve Ells, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. Ells came up with the concept for the chain after observing the popularity of the taquerías and burritos in San Francisco’s Mission District.

How to pronounce Chipotle?

Not sure how to pronounce Chipotle? No problem! This 21-second video will have you ordering like a pro:

 

How many states in the US have Chipotle locations?

From humble beginnings, Chipotle has grown to have more than 3,000 locations across 49 US States and Territories! The company has also expanded its operations to the UK, Canada, Germany, and France.

How to get free Chipotle?

Looking to score some of your favorites from Chipotle for free? Here are a few ways to make your dreams a reality!

Sign up for the Chipotle Rewards program

Are you a member of the Chipotle Rewards program? If not, you’re in for a treat! New members of the program will get an order of Chips & Guac for free after making their first purchase with their rewards account!

You’ll also get a free treat on your birthday (if you opt-in!), all while earning points on every dollar you spend which can be redeemed for, you guessed it, more free Chipotle!

Get a job at Chipotle

If you’re really serious about getting some free Chipotle, you can get a job at the restaurant for a free meal, including a side and a drink, with every shift!

If you’ve used your rewards and you aren’t ready to make a career change for free Chipotle, you can get more for your money by ordering your favorites as a Chipotle bowl with double everything. Get a few tortillas on the side to enjoy DIY burritos for less!