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Founded in 1993 by Steve Ells, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (also referred as Chipotle) is an American chain of fast casual restaurants primary serving burritos and bowls across over 4000 locations globally.
| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1993-07-13 |
| Legal Structure | Public |
| Industry | Food |
| Also known as | |
| Official website | http://chipotle.com/ |
Consumer-impact summary
Incidents
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the Chipotle category.
Misleading Advertisement regarding contents of Calories in products (2016)
In November, three customers filed a lawsuit against Chipotle for falsely advertising the quantity of calories contained in various products after eating a Chorizo Burrito that indicated the product will contain 300 calories with an in-store sign, however the actual contents amounted to over 1000 calories.[1] Chipotle responded via a tweet on twitter (now formarly X) saying; "I'm sorry for the confusion, but we'll make things more clear next time. The 300 calories is for the chorizo."[2] The lawsuit reached a settlement in October 2017 that resulted in Chipotle changing their signs to display correct calories contents and rewarding the plaintiffs $5000.[3]
Chipotle Used Customers Faces without their consent (2017)
In January, Leah Caldwell filed a lawsuit against Chipotle for unlawful advertisement and marketing of her photo, seeking over $2.2 billion in damages.[4] In 2006, Leah Caldwell sat in a Chitpotle restaurant when photographer Steve Adams took a photo of her while eating. Before leaving, Steve Adams asked her to sign the sign a release form, however she declined.[5] 8 years later around December, she discovered her photo was used as promotion Florida and Califronian chipotle restaurant up till 2015.[6][7] The Lawsuit reached a settlement in 2017, however specific details surrounding the agreement remain unknown.[3]
2017 Data Breach
2019 Data Breach
Sending Automated Spam Messages To customers without Consent (2017, 2019 and 2023)
https://www.classaction.org/news/chipotle-hit-with-tcpa-class-action-over-alleged-automated-text-messages 2019 incident
https://www.classaction.org/news/guac-is-extra-chipotle-hit-with-class-action-over-alleged-spam-texts 2023 incindent
False Advertising on non-GMO food (2019)
Overcharging Customers Using the App (2019)
AI-voice ordering systems unlawfully collected Customers Data (2022)
Charging Customers Extra with hidden Fee's (2021 and 2024)
Refusing any Refunds made with Gift Card purchases (2024)
https://www.classaction.org/news/chipotle-gift-card-refunds-lawsuit-says-meal-vouchers-are-worthless
Chipotle Quietly lessen Food Quantity
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https://www.the-sun.com/money/12792714/chipotle-ceo-change-orders-diners-threatened-boycott/
Health Violations
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2008 Hepatitis Outbreak
2008 Norovirus Outbreak
2015 E.Coli
2015 Norovirus
2015 Salmonella
2015 E.Coli (October)
2015 Norovirus (december 15)
2017 Norovirus
2018 Clostridium perfringens
https://www.foodpoisoningnews.com/food-poisoning-at-chipotle-a-history-of-food-safety-issues/
https://www.foodpoisoningnews.com/food-poisoning-at-chipotle-a-history-of-food-safety-issues/
https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2015/o26-11-15/index.html
https://www.wcpo.com/lifestyle/food/chipotle-e-coli-outbreak-spreads-to-akron-store
https://www.wral.com/story/cause-of-ohio-chipotle-outbreak-identified/17773868/
https://www.devicedaily.com/pin/chipotle-eats-itself/
Chipotle Bowls Contain Cancer related Chemicals (2019-2020)
https://www.mashed.com/250704/scandals-chipotle-can-never-live-down/
Bugs Found inside Customers Products (2024)
https://digitalchew.com/2025/12/10/chipotle-lawsuit-woman-claims-rodent-in-burrito/
See also
References
- ↑ McNeal, Stephanie (22 November 2016). "People Are Furious With Chipotle Because They Thought A Burrito Was 300 Calories". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Chipotle sued over misleading '300-Calorie' burrit". ABC13. 24 November 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 Smith, Jacob (31 October 2024). "13 Shady Things You Can't Ignore About Chipotle". TheTakeout. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Using a Person's Image for Commercial Purposes: Lessons Learned from the Chipotle $2.2 Billion Lawsuit". TarterKrinsky & Drogin. 25 January 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Pham, Peter (6 January 2017). "Chipotle Faces $2 Billion Lawsuit For Allegedly Using Photo Of Woman Without Permission". FoodBeast. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Hillen, Brittany (9 January 2017). "Chipotle sued for $2.2b for allegedly using woman's photo without permission". DPreview. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "A Woman Is Suing Chipotle For $2.2 Billion". HnHH. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)