Chipotle's CEO Finally Addresses Long-Held Complaint from Customers
It may be hard to believe, but Chipotle Mexican Grill (or just Chipotle as most people call it) has been around since the first store opened in Denver, Colorado, back in 1993. From that point on, the business has ballooned into a staple for many Americans who love the fast-casual Mexican-inspired menu. However, as much as Chipotle is beloved for its food, many customers in recent years have echoed a similar criticism.
Well, fast forward to the week of May 4, and Chipotle's CEO Scott Boatwright is taking the opportunity to address this customer complaint head-on.
Chipotle's Boatwright Says, "You Should Ask for a Little More"
While Chipotle is often applauded for its food (fyi, Chipotle honey chicken is officially back on the menu), a common critique lately has been about the portion size. Customers have complained about receiving smaller portions but being asked to pay more for their meals.
As a Reddit user reported, using an old picture, back in 2016, you could get a chicken or steak bowl for $6.50 and $7.50, respectively (excluding taxes). In 2026, the chicken and steak bowls may cost you $8.45 and $10.45. Additionally, as a loyal customer of Chipotle myself, I can attest (like countless others) that there have been times when I have noticed smaller portions. However, I gave a little grace, considering rising food prices.
With all that being said, Boatwright spoke with Yahoo Finance to address the complaints about portion sizes. He bluntly told customers:
"If you want more, you should ask for a little more. I promise you, there's never a team member on that line that's going to say "no" to you. We will continue to put heaping spoonfuls of food in bowls and burritos. It has always been our brand ethos, and it is still to this day, we serve big, beautiful bowls and burritos. No questions asked.
"I tell my team all the time, put as much food in that bowl and burrito as you possibly can. I want the consumer to tell you, ‘It's too big.' We're about abundance. We're about value. And value equals benefit over price. If I could hold the price constant, which I am working hard to do, even in the face of mid-single-digit inflation that I'm seeing in my businesses, I'm not passing that off to the consumers, we're absorbing…"
Chipotle CEO says if you want more portions in your order, just ask for it.
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) May 5, 2026
"There's never a team member on that line that is going to say no to you"
(Via: Yahoo Finance) pic.twitter.com/N41EHTILOZ
And there you have it. If you want more bang for your buck, just ask. Now again, as a frequent customer, I'll note you'll have to pay more for proteins. However, if you want more rice, beans, sour cream, lettuce, or shredded cheese, just ask the questions.
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This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 11:47 AM.