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Chipotle Catering Guide: Menu, Reviews, and How It Compares (2026)

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Written by CaterCow Staff • January 28, 2026

Chipotle Catering Guide: Menu, Reviews, and How It Compares (2026)

Chipotle Mexican Grill is one of the most recognizable names in fast-casual Mexican food—and a frequent go-to for office lunches, corporate meetings, and casual group events. This guide breaks down Chipotle catering prices, menu options, reviews, limitations, and how it compares to better-performing catering alternatives for offices.

Chipotle Catering Menu (2026 Update)

Chipotle catering is built for groups of 6+ people, with simplified packages designed to scale quickly.

Build Your Own Spread

  • Starting at $8.75 per person
  • Guests choose proteins, bases (white or brown rice, black or pinto beans, lettuce), salsas, toppings, and tortillas for bowls, tacos, or burritos
  • Includes serving utensils, napkins, and warming dishes
  • This is Chipotle’s most popular catering option—and the safest choice for offices with mixed preferences.

Burritos by the Box

  • $8.75 per person (minimum 6 people)
  • Pre-made burritos with diverse fillings, accompanied by chips and salsa
  • Minimum order for six people
  • CaterCow Pro Tip: Most people expect to customize their Chipotle order. Pre-made burritos often lead to mismatches and leftovers—especially in offices. For teams, the Build Your Own Spread performs better.

Chips & Salsa

  • Available as an add-on in multiple tray sizes
  • Signature Chipotle chips with assorted salsa choices

Chipotle Catering Prices

Chipotle's catering prices are consistent nation-wide with little variation across markets like NYC or LA.

Menu Item Minimum Order Price Per Person/Box What’s Included
Build Your Own Spread – Single Protein 6 people $8.75 1 protein, bases, toppings, tortillas, sides
Build Your Own Spread – Double Protein 20 people $12.00 2 proteins, more toppings, tortillas, sides
Build Your Own Spread – Triple Protein 20 people $13.50 3 proteins, all toppings, tortillas, sides
Burritos by the Box 6 people $8.75 Individually wrapped burritos, chips, and salsa
Chips & Salsa Spread 10-15 people $40.00 per box Large tray of chips with assorted salsas
Chips & Salsa Spread 15-20 people $55.00 per box Extra-large tray of chips with assorted salsas
Hand-mashed Guacamole 10-15 people $57.40 per pack Large serving of guacamole

A minimum order size applies to most packages-typically 6 for smaller spreads and 20 for larger protein options. Feeding 20 people with a Double Protein Build Your Own Spread would cost $240 before taxes and extras.

For smaller groups, “Burritos by the Box” is the most cost-effective. On the other hand, larger events benefit from the “Build Your Own” spreads, which allow guests to assemble their own bowls, tacos, or salads with a variety of proteins and toppings.

One thing we appreciate at CaterCow, is a solid food label. This helps make distribution easy when ordering for a group. Chipotle does a solid job with individual labels showing contents and names, which helps with distribution.

Chipotle's labels include name and contents without callouts for gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan. Sometimes, the tins can get bent easily.

Chipotle Catering Reviews: What Customers Are Saying

Customers generally give positive feedback about Chipotle catering, highlighting:

  • Food Quality: Many reviews praise the freshness, taste, and portion sizes.
  • Convenience: Ordering is straightforward, making it a favorite for busy event planners.

Common complaints:

  • Higher Cost: Catering prices can exceed individual meal costs, especially for smaller groups.
  • Limited Customization: Catering packages may restrict the number of bases, toppings, and salsa options compared to individual restaurant orders.
  • 24 Hour Notice: Not ideal if you have a last-minute need--for same day catering orders, CaterCow offers a variety of Mexican options.
For same-day Mexican catering or more variety, many offices use CaterCow to source from multiple local mexican restaurants instead of relying on a single chain.

Chipotle vs. Qdoba: Catering Comparison

Pricing Comparison

  • Qdoba typically offers lower-priced catering packages, often including free guacamole and queso.
  • Chipotle pricing is higher but emphasizes quality ingredients and consistent taste.

Food Quality & Menu Options

  • Customers frequently prefer Chipotle’s chicken and guacamole over competitors.
  • Qdoba is praised for their seasoned rice and free extras.

Regional Differences in Chipotle Catering

Chipotle mexican catering generally remains consistent nationwide. However, regional promotions or minor menu variations based on local preferences and ingredient availability may occur. Always confirm with your local Chipotle for precise offerings.

Chipotle Catering vs. Regular Chipotle Orders: Key Nuances

When ordering Chipotle catering, keep these key differences in mind:

Advance Notice Required

  • Catering requires at least 24-hour notice, while regular orders can be placed immediately.

Reduced Customization

  • Catering options typically offer fewer combinations of proteins, toppings, and sides compared to in-store individual orders.

Portioning & Pricing Structure

  • Catering portions are designed for groups and priced per person, potentially increasing per-person costs compared to individual restaurant orders.

Final Verdict: Is Chipotle Catering Worth It?

Chipotle catering is an excellent choice for events needing quality, flavorful Mexican food with minimal hassle. Despite its slightly higher cost compared to competitors like Qdoba, Chipotle's reliable quality and simplicity continue to make it a popular catering option. If you are looking for a discount on Chipotle catering, look no further than these Chipotle offer codes which will give you a Chipotle gift card.

Chipotle is well-known for its massive burritos