As diners take matters into their own hands, Chipotle faces scrutiny over skimpier servings.
- Chipotle customers are using scales to measure portion sizes of burritos and bowls.
- A crowdsourced website, ‘Stop the Skimp!’, tracks locations with better portion sizes.
- YouTube creator Zackary Smigel found online orders were skimpier 70% of the time.
- Chipotle acknowledges issues with portion sizes at about 10% of its restaurants.
- The company is training staff to be more generous with portions.
- Some customers suggest using measuring cups or selling meals by weight.
- Despite the controversy, Chipotle’s sales performance remains strong.
Fans of Chipotle Mexican Grill are taking a stand against perceived skimpiness in their burrito bowls by bringing scales to measure their meals. The restaurant chain is under scrutiny for its portion sizes, particularly whether customers are receiving the full four ounces of meat they expect. A crowdsourced website called ‘Stop the Skimp!’ has emerged, tracking which locations serve more generous portions. Some customers are even filming their orders to ensure they get enough rice and guacamole. The most dedicated fans are weighing their meals to see if they are being shorted, especially when ordering online. Zackary Smigel, a YouTube creator, documented his findings after weighing 15 burritos and bowls over 30 days across three locations, discovering that online orders were skimpier 70% of the time. Another customer, Peter Coleman, took a scientific approach, using a digital scale to analyze burrito sizes and found that in-person orders were 16.48% larger. Chipotle has responded to these concerns, stating that they are not intentionally skimping on portions but have identified issues at about 10% of their restaurants. The company is working on training staff to be more generous and is experimenting with serving utensils that have measuring lines. Despite the ongoing debate, Chipotle’s sales have remained strong, indicating that many customers are still satisfied with their meals. Some fans are calling for more transparency, suggesting that meals should be sold by weight or that measuring cups should be used for toppings. As food inflation continues to be a concern for many Americans, the conversation around portion sizes at Chipotle is likely to persist.·
Factuality Level: 6
Factuality Justification: The article provides a detailed account of customer experiences and reactions regarding portion sizes at Chipotle, including anecdotal evidence and personal stories. While it presents some factual information about the company’s response to these concerns, it also includes subjective opinions and experiences that may not represent a universal truth. The article lacks a strong focus on objective reporting, which affects its overall factuality.·
Noise Level: 7
Noise Justification: The article provides a detailed account of customer experiences and scientific methods used to analyze portion sizes at Chipotle, which adds value and insight. It holds the company accountable for its practices and discusses broader themes of food inflation and consumer behavior. However, it could benefit from a more structured analysis of the implications of these findings.·
Public Companies: Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG), Wells Fargo (WFC), Mondelez International (MDLZ)
Key People: Zackary Smigel (YouTube creator), Peter Coleman (software salesman), Zachary Fadem (restaurant analyst), Jack Hartung (chief financial officer), Steve Ells (founder), J.J. Watt (former NFL defensive end), Keith Lee (TikTok food critic), Chris Mulder (military officer), David Hayes (wine importer)
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Chipotle Mexican Grill
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses the scrutiny on Chipotle’s portion sizes and its impact on customer satisfaction, which can affect sales and the company’s reputation. This has financial relevance as it impacts the performance of the company and potentially its future earnings.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: The article discusses customer concerns about portion sizes at Chipotle but does not describe any extreme events such as natural disasters, crises, or accidents.·
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