Chipotle CEO shares a secret menu tip with customers

Social media sites such as Instagram and Reddit are full of food hacks and tips for getting the most out of eating out.

Especially for places like Chipotle, where diners go for a bowl instead of a burrito, or get a tortilla on the side to stretch a single order. 

The goal is simple: get the most food possible without paying more. 

And for years, Chipotle has been a go-to for college students and office-goers alike due to its large portion sizes. But over the years, as restaurant prices have risen, customers are paying closer attention to what they are getting for their money.

Food away from home rose 3.6% over the year ending April 2026, while limited-service meals rose 3.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

At Chipotle, that pressure has turned portion sizes into a recurring customer complaint. Some diners have accused the chain of giving smaller or inconsistent servings, while online “how to get more food at Chipotle” videos continue to spread.

Now, Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright says customers do not need a complicated hack to get a bigger portion.

They just need to ask.

Chipotle CEO responds to portion complaints

In a recent interview with Yahoo Finance’s Brian Sozzi, Boatwright gave a very simple answer to the much-debated question: how to get more portions.

When asked about customers who feel they are not getting enough food, Boatwright said customers should ask employees for more.

The answer may sound simple, but it touches on a bigger frustration for diners. As a customer, when you are already paying more for restaurant meals, you don’t want to negotiate at the counter to get a bowl that feels full.

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Boatwright was direct in his advice: if you feel your bowl has less food, just ask the Chipotle servers for more, and they will be happy to serve you more.

“You should ask for a little more. It has always been our brand ethos, and it is still to this day. We serve big, beautiful bowls and burritos. Full stop, no questions asked. If you want more, just ask the team member. I promise you there’s never a team member on that line that’s going to say no.” Boatwright said.

The advice may be useful for those who want to get more out of an order. But as the advice came up in discussions on Reddit, diners asked a more practical question: What about being charged extra for it?

And Reddit users were clear with their advice: ask for more rice, beans, or salsa instead of saying “double chicken,” which can cost you extra. Additional protein and guacamole can also generally cost more.

This means customers looking for a bigger bowl may have better luck asking for more of the non-premium products while their meal is being made.

Chipotle’s stock is down 10% year to date.

Photo by M. Suhail on Getty Images

Chipotle doubles down on offers to get return customers

The portion debate comes as Chipotle is trying to keep customers excited about the brand while also proving that its meals are still worth the price.

Chipotle’s latest results show the chain is still growing, but customer demand is not exploding. In the first quarter of 2026, revenue rose 7.4% to $3.1 billion, while comparable sales increased just 0.5%. 

The company said the increase was driven by slightly higher transaction volume, partly offset by a small drop in average check size.

Chipotle also said food, beverage, and packaging costs rose as a share of revenue due to inflation in beef and freight costs. Labor costs also rose because of wage inflation, lower average restaurant sales volumes, and higher benefit expenses.

That helps explain why the fast-food chain is leaning on promotions and viral marketing to attract customers.

Chipotle recently launched a graduation gift-card offer for the Class of 2026. Under this, between May 14 and May 18, the first 10,000 guests who bought at least $40 in graduation-themed digital gift cards received a buy-one-get-one-free entree code, while supplies last.

The company has also been using limited-time menu options and promotions to increase customer visits. According to Placer.ai, Chipotle’s overall visits rose 5.8% year over year in Q1 2026, driven by these offers and promotions.

Their high-protein menu has also contributed to Chipotle’s traffic recovery, but the biggest single driver has been the return of fan-favorite Chicken al Pastor.

And the next addition could come in the form of desserts added to the menu in some capacity, Boatwright mentioned in his interview with Yahoo! Finance.

All the additions, rotating offers, and promotions lead back to the same debate: Does the bowl feel worth the price?

Are you a Chipotle customer? Tell us whether asking for more is a fair solution or if the bowl should already feel full.

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