Chipotle customers who joined the chain’s temporary loyalty program — a program aimed at winning back customers after a spate of food-borne illness outbreaks at its restaurants — are finally getting a reward, in the form of free catered food.
About 85,000 Chiptopia members who completed the program’s top tier of requirements will get free catering for 20 people at a value of $240, which shakes out to about $20.4 million, company spokesman Chris Arnold told CNBC.
Chiptopia’s three levels — mild, medium, and hot — rewarded customers who visited the restaurant since June. To get to “hot” status folks had to buy 11 or more entrees every month for all three summer months. They earned nine free meals already for hitting that tier, so the free catering is just the guacamole on the burrito (this time, it doesn’t cost extra).
They sound pretty hungry after all that hard work:
Killian hit Hot Status at Chipotle all 3 months so he gets free catering from them for 10 people
what a champ
— Ruairi Bonnar (@Ruairi_26) September 29, 2016
It only took 36 chipotle trips, many sleepless nights , and an iron will, but I'm happy to announce I have free catering from chipotle
— Bradly Andrew (@brad24sunnyd) September 27, 2016
Got that 20 person Chipotle catering service for free so we lit for ghoe
—
(@aviannaaaaa) September 30, 2016
Chipotle hot status for three months
free catering coming soon
— Brynnan Jacobs (@brynnanj) September 30, 2016
Killian hit Hot Status at Chipotle all 3 months so he gets free catering from them for 10 people
— Ruairi Bonnar (@Ruairi_26) September 29, 2016
Proud to announce that @Nate_Chase24 and my dream of winning catering for twenty in chipotle came true today 🤘
— Sack ⛵️ (@zchase4099) September 28, 2016
CNCBC notes that Chiptopia is paying off for the company, the chain said in July, and it’s now planning another loyalty program. It’s unclear if it would be a permanent thing or another limited-time promotion.
Chipotle to give away more than $20 million in free catering [CNBC]
by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist