Chipotle Catering Menu: Build-Your-Own Bars, Boxed Meals & Tips

Chipotle catering is usually sold as a build-your-own bar for groups, with trays of proteins, rice, beans, salsas and toppings plus tortillas or chips, and at many locations as individually boxed meals for office lunches. Lead times, minimums and pricing differ by restaurant, so treat this page as a planning guide and confirm the details on the catering page of Chipotle's own site or app.

Typical prices updated Nov 6, 2026 · may vary by store

What catering options are typically available?

Most restaurants that offer catering follow one of two models. The first is the build-your-own bar, where the restaurant delivers or hands over trays of ingredients, and guests assemble their own burritos, bowls or tacos. The second is the boxed meal model, where each person gets a labelled box or bag with their order already assembled, which is easier to manage in an office or at an event with a fixed schedule.

Some restaurants also offer smaller group packages, drink add-ons and extras such as chips and dips. The details of what is available depend on the restaurant and the season, so look at the live catering menu for your location rather than relying on a general summary.

Build-your-own bars

A bar is the best fit when you have guests with different diets. Everyone can choose their own tortilla or bowl, protein and toppings, and you do not have to guess how many vegetarians are coming. A typical bar includes:

• Two or three proteins, such as chicken, steak, carnitas, barbacoa or sofritas.
• White and brown rice.
• Black and pinto beans.
• Fajita vegetables.
• A selection of salsas, shredded cheese, sour cream and lettuce.
• Guacamole and queso, which are usually add-ons.
• Tortillas and chips.

Because everything is served in trays and kept warm, set up the bar so that guests can move along it in the same order as the restaurant line: tortilla or bowl first, then rice and beans, then protein, then salsa and toppings. Put chips and drinks at the end so that the main line keeps moving. Tongs or serving spoons for each tray help keep the cross-contact down, which matters if anyone has an allergy. For more on that topic, see our allergen guide.

Boxed meals and individual orders

Boxed meals trade flexibility for simplicity. Each guest chooses their order in advance, or you choose a set of options for them, and the boxes arrive labelled. This works well for meetings and for crowds where a serving line would be a bottleneck. If you are using the boxed format, gather everyone's choices ahead of time, including any dietary needs, and label them clearly with names. Check what comes in each box (chips, drink, or only the entree) on the order summary.

How much food do you need per person?

The most common planning mistake is not enough of the base ingredients. A simple rule is to count one entree per person and add a small buffer of rice, beans and chips for second helpings. The restaurant's guidance on its catering page is the best source for the amount it expects each tray to serve, so start there and adjust for your crowd.

Here is what a typical plate looks like in nutrition terms, using standard serving sizes. A chicken burrito with rice, black beans, tomato salsa, cheese and lettuce is about 980 calories with 58 grams of protein. The same ingredients in a bowl, with no tortilla, come to about 660 calories. Guests who pick a salad with chicken, beans and fajita vegetables end up around 360 calories. These are estimates from published per-serving data, and a self-serve line makes portions less predictable than a counter does.

How many chips and sides?

Chips go quickly at group events. A serving of chips is 540 calories on its own, so a bowl of chips with a couple of dips can add up. Guacamole and queso are the most popular dips and cost extra at most places. See the chips and sides page for more on servings.

Dietary needs in a group

At a large event, you will likely have people who follow vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free diets. A build-your-own bar handles this better than boxes, but a few points help:

• Vegetarian and vegan guests: sofritas, beans, rice, vegetables and salsas work for many plant-based diets, but check the ingredient details. Our vegan and vegetarian guide explains what to skip.
• Gluten-conscious guests: the flour tortilla is the ingredient that contains wheat per published information, so offer bowls and salads. Read the gluten-free guide for cautions on cross-contact.
• Dairy: cheese, sour cream and queso contain milk. Set them at the end so that guests can opt out.
• Allergies in general: ask the restaurant what it recommends, and keep serving utensils separate.

How to place a catering order

Ordering usually works through the catering section of the website or app, or by calling the restaurant. You choose a pickup or delivery time, select a package or build your order, review it, and pay. The key point is the lead time: catering often needs to be placed ahead of the event, and some restaurants cap how many large orders they can fill on the same day. Check the catering page for the minimum notice at your location and place the order early for holidays and big game days.

A good checklist before you click confirm:

1. The pickup or delivery time and address.
2. The headcount and whether you want extra trays.
3. Utensils, napkins and serving spoons included.
4. Dietary needs covered.
5. Contact details so the restaurant can reach you if there is an issue.

For the full ordering process, see how to order.

Budgeting and prices

We do not list catering prices on this page, because they depend on the restaurant, the package, the headcount and the delivery fee. The best way to budget is to build the order in the catering tool and look at the total before you submit it. Compare it to the cost of individual meals, and think about whether delivery or pickup makes more sense for your group. Check deals and rewards in case a catering offer is available at the time.

Tips for a smooth event

• Pick up a few minutes early so you have time to check the order.
• Keep food warm. Trays stay warm for a limited time, so plan to serve soon after pickup.
• Label proteins. A small card in front of each tray avoids confusion, and helps anyone with a dietary need.
• Plan for leftovers. Rice and beans keep well in the refrigerator for a day or two, and they reheat easily. Food safety guidance applies, so refrigerate leftovers promptly.
• Ask about large delivery orders if you are far from the restaurant.

Frequently asked questions

Does every Chipotle offer catering?

Not necessarily. Availability varies by restaurant, so check the catering page or the app for your location.

How far in advance should I order catering?

Lead times vary. Check the catering page for your restaurant's minimum notice, and order earlier for holidays and busy event days.

What is the difference between a bar and boxed meals?

A bar delivers trays of ingredients so that guests build their own. Boxed meals are individually assembled and labelled. The right choice depends on your group and your venue.

How many people does a tray feed?

The restaurant publishes serving guidance on the catering page. Use that as the starting point and add a small buffer for chips and rice.

Can I get vegan and gluten-free options for a group?

Yes, a build-your-own bar lets guests choose. Offer a bowl or salad for gluten-conscious guests, and note that cross-contact is possible. See our gluten-free guide.

Can catering be delivered?

Many locations offer delivery or pickup for catering orders. Fees and radius vary, so look at the options when you check out.

Can I customize a catering order?

Usually, yes, within the choices the restaurant offers. Add notes to the order for special requests, and confirm with the restaurant if something is important.

Is catering cheaper than individual meals?

It depends on the order. Compare the total in the catering tool with the cost of individual orders.