Major CA Fast-Fresh Food Chain To Raise Prices

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Expect the cost of your Chipotle order to keep going up, as prices at the California-based fast-casual chain are set to continue rising in the next year, according to multiple reports.

Prices will increase 1-2 percent, Fortune reported, with Business Insider noting the hike is intended to narrow the gap between the company’s rising expenses and the amount it charges customers.

Chipotle’s total revenue increased 5.4 percent in 2025 to $11.9 billion, but its comparable restaurant sales were down 1.7 percent and its operating margin dropped from 16.9 percent to 16.2 percent, according to the company.

A customer subset of particular note for Chipotle is those who make more than $100,000 annually, according to an audio clip from a recent earnings call, which was posted on X by the account Wall Street Apes. The post received nearly 4 million views in three days.

“We learned that 60 percent of our core users are over $100,000 a year in income, in average household income,” CEO Scott Boatwright said in the recording, adding that that information “gives us confidence that we can lean into that group in a more meaningful way … to really drive meaningful transaction performance in the year.”

Chipotle issued a statement on Wednesday to Patch, with the company's chief corporate affairs officer, Laurie Schalow, addressing Boatwright's remarks.

“CEO Scott Boatwright stated on Chipotle’s earnings call last week that 60% of its customers have an average household income over $100,000 so the company sees an opportunity to lean into these customers with new occasions like group or solo dining experiences," Schalow said in the statement.

"Since this consumer population is actively spending more at shops and restaurants today, Chipotle is giving them additional reasons to visit with new marketing and menu innovations as well as enhancing the digital experience for all guests.

"Pricing was never mentioned regarding this consumer cohort and Chipotle has taken a slow and measured approach by only increasing prices in this quarter around .7% compared to the industry average of 4%.”

Headquartered in Newport Beach, Chipotle has over 4,000 locations worldwide.