Chipotle

2026-03-14T11:01:08Z

CayvDweller: /* 2015 Norovirus */

{{StubNotice}}{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1993-07-13
|Industry=Food
|Logo=Chipotle Mexican Grill Logo.png
|Type=Public
|Website=http://chipotle.com/
}}Founded in 1993 by Steve Ells, [[wikipedia:Chipotle_Mexican_Grill#|Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.]] (also referred as Chipotle) is an American chain of [[wikipedia:Fast_casual|fast casual]] restaurants primary serving burritos and bowls across over 4000 locations globally.

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==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 [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===2004 Data Breach===
{{Placeholder box|PLACEHOLDER TIME!!!!! }}

===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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNeal |first=Stephanie |date=22 November 2016 |title=People Are Furious With Chipotle Because They Thought A Burrito Was 300 Calories |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemcneal/not-300-calories |url-status=live |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=BuzzFeed News}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 November 2016 |title=Chipotle sued over misleading '300-Calorie' burrit |url=https://abc13.com/post/chipotle-sued-over-misleading-300-calorie-burrito/1623869/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=ABC13}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" />

===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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 January 2017 |title=Using a Person's Image for Commercial Purposes: Lessons Learned from the Chipotle $2.2 Billion Lawsuit |url=https://www.tarterkrinsky.com/insights/using-a-persons-image-for-commercial-purposes-lessons-learned-from-the-chipotle-2-2-billion-lawsuit |url-status=live |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=TarterKrinsky & Drogin}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pham |first=Peter |date=6 January 2017 |title=Chipotle Faces $2 Billion Lawsuit For Allegedly Using Photo Of Woman Without Permission |url=https://www.foodbeast.com/news/chipotle-2billion-photo/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=FoodBeast}}</ref> 8 years later around December, she discovered her photo was used as promotion Florida and Califronian chipotle restaurant up till 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hillen |first=Brittany |date=9 January 2017 |title=Chipotle sued for $2.2b for allegedly using woman's photo without permission |url=https://www.dpreview.com/news/0452748489/chipotle-sued-for-2-2b-for-allegedly-using-womans-photo-without-permission |url-status=live |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=DPreview}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 November 2022 |title=A Woman Is Suing Chipotle For $2.2 Billion |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/468369-a-woman-is-suing-chipotle-for-s22-billion-news |url-status=live |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=HnHH}}</ref> The Lawsuit reached a settlement in 2017, however specific details surrounding the agreement remain unknown.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Jacob |date=31 October 2024 |title=13 Shady Things You Can't Ignore About Chipotle |url=https://www.thetakeout.com/1697181/shady-things-about-chipotle/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=TheTakeout}}</ref>

===2017 Data Breach===
Between March 24 to April 18, hackers were able to infiltrate Chipotle [[wikipedia:Point_of_sale|point of sale systems]] through a malware attack, affecting over 2,250 locations globally and resulting in some customers name, card number, expiration date, and verification code information being stolen. On April 25, Chipotle disclosed and started an investigation into the incident. Additionally The company claimed no other information was collected.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 May 2017 |title=CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL REPORTS FINDINGS FROM INVESTIGATION OF PAYMENT CARD SECURITY INCIDENT |url=https://www.oag.ca.gov/system/files/Chipotle%20-%20Substitute%20Notice%20and%20Press%20Release_0.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=Chipotle — Security Inciden}}</ref> <blockquote>“During the investigation we removed the malware, and we continue to work with cyber security firms to evaluate ways to enhance our security measures,” the company says. “In addition, we continue to support law enforcement”s investigation and are working with the payment card networks so that the banks that issue payment cards can be made aware and initiate heightened monitoring.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=TRUȚĂ |first=Filip |date=30 May 2017 |title=Chipotle customers told to 'remain vigilant' as POS hack probe reveals most restaurants affected |url=https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/chipotle-customers-told-to-remain-vigilant-as-pos-hack-probe-reveals-most-restaurants-affected |url-status=live |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=Bitdefender}}</ref></blockquote>This resulted in a lawsuit being filed against Chipotle on May 4 for failure to conduct adequate security measures and prevent future breaches.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizzi |first=Corrado |date=4 May 2017 |title=Guac Is Extra: Financial Outlet Sues Chipotle Over March '17 Data Breach |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/guac-is-extra-financial-outlet-sues-chipotle-over-march-17-data-breach |url-status=live |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=ClassAction}}</ref> A settlement was reached in 2019, compensating customers affected between March 24 and April 18 $250 or $10000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 July 2019 |title=Chipotle Data Breach Class Action Settlement |url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/closed-settlements/chipotle-data-breach-class-action-settlement/ |url-status=live |access-date=14 March 2026 |website=Top Class Action}}</ref>

===2019 Data Breach===

===Sending Automated Spam Messages To customers without Consent (2017, 2019 and 2023)===
https://www.classaction.org/news/florida-man-files-class-action-against-chipotle-over-alleged-unsolicited-text-messages 2017

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)===
https://natlawreview.com/article/65-million-settlement-reached-eve-trial-class-action-lawsuit-against-chipotle-over

===Overcharging Customers Using the App (2019)===
https://www.today.com/food/chipotle-customers-say-chain-charging-them-hundreds-dollars-fake-orders-t164862

===AI-voice ordering systems unlawfully collected Customers Data (2022)===
https://www.classaction.org/news/applebees-red-lobster-other-restaurants-hit-with-biometric-privacy-suit-in-illinois-over-ai-voice-ordering-systems

https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/applebees-chipotle-other-restaurants-face-class-action-alleging-automated-voice-ordering-technology-data-privacy-violations/

===Charging Customers Extra with hidden Fee's (2021 and 2024)===
https://www.classaction.org/news/class-action-claims-chipotle-hides-fees-despite-advertising-free-and-1-delivery 2021

https://www.classaction.org/news/new-chipotle-lawsuit-alleges-restaurant-cloaks-costly-service-fee-within-tax-charged-for-online-orders 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===
{{Incomplete section}}
https://www.the-sun.com/money/12792714/chipotle-ceo-change-orders-diners-threatened-boycott/

==Health Violations==
{{Incomplete section}}
===2008 Hepatitis Outbreak===

===2008 Norovirus Outbreak===

===2015 E.Coli===

===2015 Norovirus===
In 2020 Chipotle agreed to pay 25 million dollar fine and a three year deferred prosecution agreement related to the foodborne illness outbreaks that sickened more than 1,100 people between 2015 and 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-21 |title=Office of Public Affairs |url=https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/chipotle-mexican-grill-agrees-pay-25-million-fine-and-enter-deferred-prosecution-agreement |website=justice.gov}}</ref>

===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.foodmanufacturing.com/ingredients/news/13182117/e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-chipotle-expands-to-6-states

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://www.msn.com/en-us/food-and-drink/general/ewww-chipotle-sued-after-woman-bites-into-rodent-in-burrito-bowl/ar-AA1S4rYi

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/chipotle-lawsuit-rodents-doordash-nyc-b2887823.html

https://www.ndtv.com/food/us-woman-claims-she-bit-into-rodent-inside-chipotle-burrito-bowl-sues-chain-9791182

https://digitalchew.com/2025/12/10/chipotle-lawsuit-woman-claims-rodent-in-burrito/

==See also==

*[[Taco Bell]]
*[[Chick-fil-A]]
*[[Arby's]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Chipotle