Expect Fewer Deals From Chipotle This Year

The troubled chain plans to bring customers back in ways that don't involve deep discounts. But will you bite?
Published
Julie Ramhold
BY:
Senior Staff Writer
Chipotle deals

If Chipotle's many deals are why you're still buying the (controversial) customized burritos and bowls, you may be out of luck: the number of freebies and BOGO offers is being drastically reduced this year. And Chipotle isn't the only place you'll see disappearing discounts.

Chipotle Cutting Back on Deals for 2017

In 2015, the Mexican fast-food chain had a serious run of bad luck, with five different outbreaks of food-borne illness occurring at different locations across the country. Shortly after the first one, the restaurant started running deals in an effort to encourage customers to come back.

Chipotle intends to focus more on year-round advertising, as well as a scripted TV series aimed at kids.

Since July of that year, Chipotle has offered a number of rare high-value deals — think BOGO offers, digital coupons for free burritos, chips and guacamole, and other freebies.

Instead, Chipotle now intends to focus more on year-round advertising, as well as a scripted TV series aimed at kids. (Yeah, you read that right.) The restaurant hopes to bring back customers by reminding them of its brand message, as opposed to relying on deals.

Although he didn't clarify, chief marketing and development officer Mark Crumpacker said Chipotle is planning to use ads and "other offers" to try to bring customers back. So far, Chipotle's only promo this year has been free chips and guac with purchase of an entree.

Chipotle Is Not Alone

Chipotle is just the latest of many businesses to have trouble after customers got used to promotional pricing. Lowering prices is a great way to boost sales, but many shoppers won't stick around when the promotions go away.

SEE ALSO: 9 Ways to Eat Healthy on a Budget in 2017

That's what many local business learned when they worked with Groupon during the site's heyday; customers swarm for a deal, then never come back. Similarly, apparel brands like Michael Kors and Coach are cutting back on promotions, and sometimes struggling to get customers to pay full price again.

Readers, will you still eat Chipotle despite the lack of promotions? Or will you move on to somewhere else, regardless of the charming children's programming? Sound off in the comments below!

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Senior Staff Writer

Julie joined DealNews in 2015. Her work has been featured on MSN, Business Insider, Lifehacker, The Motley Fool, GoBankingRates, and Moneyish. In her spare time, she enjoys baking sweets, reading thrillers, and listening to an ever-growing list of podcasts.
DealNews may be compensated by companies mentioned in this article. Please note that, although prices sometimes fluctuate or expire unexpectedly, all products and deals mentioned in this feature were available at the lowest total price we could find at the time of publication (unless otherwise specified).
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4 comments
boilers
not a fan of that place.
February 13, 2017
sfliny
I have stopped going to Chipotle about a year ago because employee's at multiple locations have been rude. The burrito bowl portions have decreased in size and for the costs it's just not worth it anymore. Asking for more rice or lettuce is like pulling teeth. Such a shame.
February 12, 2017
TexasTwister
Got sick from their food once. Once is enough for me.
February 10, 2017
Lindsay Sakraida (DealNews)
I'm surprised more people haven't jumped on the fact that Chipotle is going to be developing a kids TV show! Hahaha.
February 10, 2017