A user on TikTok has gone viral for airing his grievances about popular fast-casual restaurant Chipotle.
According to user Robert (@robertbuckmon), he is not a frequent Chipotle customer but decided to visit as it was nearby. From there, he began an order that he did not realize would amount to $25.
The video currently has over 531,000 views.
@robertbuckmon @chipotle count your day because you’ll never screw me like that again in your LIFE #fyp #rant ♬ original sound – robertbuckmon
In recounting the story, Robert says he requested a steak bowl, though was dismayed by the amount of steak the employee decided to put in.
This is a common complaint amongst Chipotle customers. Many users on TikTok have gone viral after sharing their stories of underfilled bowls and false advertising about portion sizes at Chipotle, while others have virally offered their hacks to getting properly filled bowls.
Robert says he continued his order, adding guacamole and queso to his bowl.
“I feel like that’s what should be in a bowl,” he explains.
Upon getting to the register, he says he learned that the cost of his meal was over $25. While he says he inspected the receipt and paid the bill, he insists that Chipotle lost a customer in the process.
“Chipotle, count your days, because you’ll never get that opportunity to screw me ever again in your life,” Robert says.
He then advocated for Chipotle’s competitor Qdoba, which is “all-inclusive,” per Robert. This means that guacamole and queso come at no additional charge.
Chipotle has continually raised prices citing inflation, per Insider. However, while costs for items like avocados and beef have generally outpaced the company’s price increases, Chipotle actually improved on its margins in Q2 of this year, hitting 25.2% compared to 24.5% a year earlier, per Reuters.
Furthermore, Chipotle has been enjoying an incredible rise in profit. In that same article, authors Deborah Mary Sophia and Hilary Russ note that “Chipotle’s net income jump[ed] to $259.9 million…in the second quarter ended June 30, from $188 million…a year earlier.”
The rising costs and fees for add-ins like guacamole and queso have seemingly inspired TikTokers to ditch the franchise altogether.
“You could’ve went & sat down at a restaurant for $25,” wrote one user.
“Naw. I’m far from cheap but $25 from Chipotle is too much!!” another offered. “Take me to Moe’s!!!!!”
“I remember when it was $6-7 and they gave you so much it could last 2 meals,” a third remembered. “Now it’s like $15 and I’m still hungry after.”
“It was 55 for 3 of us,” a further user alleged. “I’m cutting ties with chipotle, we had a good run.”
We’ve reached out to Robert via email and Chipotle via media contact form.
Update: Sept. 1, 2022, 1:03pm CT In an email to Daily Dot, Robert expounded upon the points made in his video.
“I never thought a simple video would get so much attention but I’m happy to be getting the support of so many,” he wrote. “I think it’s ridiculous for a company to charge those prices and not give people what they pay for. They need to speak on their actions and work towards fair pricing for their customers.”