Chipotle is a popular chain among American customers for many reasons— from its fresh, grilled meat offerings to its vegetarian options, it seems there’s a beloved burrito or bowl for everyone.
With an ongoing global pandemic, many Chipotle fans have reverted to the chain’s delivery option via their digital app. As you might remember, back in the summer of 2021, customers were livid to realize that the chain put limits on their tipping options.
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This meant that it wouldn’t allow customers to tip their drivers/ delivery workers the amount of their choosing. As Insider reported, Twitter and Reddit were then ablaze with commentary from Chipotle fans who complained that this was “unfair” and “ethically wrong” for the chain’s delivery workers (who deserved to be compensated accurately for their distances and treks to bring food).
Now, as Lauren Rothman writes for TastingTable, thanks to “winter storms dumping snow and sleet on the northeast” earlier this month, the critique against Chipotle has “resurfaced in full force” on social media.
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Whenever it snows heavily, many people feel trapped and limited and still want to dine out. This is often solved by getting delivery from their favorite restaurants and chains like Chipotle. On February 2nd, Twitter user @RonBeehive uploaded a screenshot image of their Chipotle delivery order.
It had a pop-up warning from the app, reading, “Whoa whoa whoa. That is mighty generous of you, but tips can’t be more than 50% of your food’s total.” (Within the app, there is no way to get around this restriction, with the only clear option being a button that says “Okay.”)
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The user then wrote in their tweet,”It’s f—ing snowing and I want to tip my driver accordingly @ChipotleTweets. Why are you deciding how much tipped workers can make?” The message has since been retweeted over 16,000 times and liked nearly 127,000 times at the time of publication. Thousands of other users tweeted their frustration with not being able to tip delivery workers generously in light of heavy, dangerous weather conditions like snow.
Similar to many retailers, the Chipotle app includes safeguards around tipping to avoid human error, as well as fraud, to ensure its guests provide their intended dollar amount. All tips through the app go to the delivery driver.
— Chipotle (@ChipotleTweets) February 2, 2022
That same day, Chipotle then tweeted the response it used back over the summer: “The Chipotle app includes safeguards around tipping to avoid human error, as well as fraud, to ensure its guests provide their intended dollar amount. All tips through the app go to the delivery driver.”
As Rothman concluded, “most commenters weren’t convinced, arguing that the app should simply confirm they intended to tip that amount instead of shorting hardworking employees.”
