Chipotle is continuing its December holiday promotion with another buy-one-get-one deal, this time featuring burritos. Customers who purchase a burrito after 4 p.m. local time on Saturday, Dec. 14, can receive a free entrée as part of the chain’s Unwrap Extra campaign.
The offer is valid only at participating restaurants across the country and must be redeemed in person. Entrées include salads, bowls, tacos and burritos, giving customers flexibility in what they choose for their free item. There is a limit of five free menu items per check, and the deal cannot be combined with other coupons, promotions or special offers.
This marks the second consecutive Saturday that Chipotle has offered a buy-one-get-one promotion. Last weekend, on Dec. 7, customers who purchased a three-taco entrée received another entrée for free. The Newport Beach, California-based chain is extending these special offers throughout December as part of what it calls its biggest holiday promotion yet.
Chris Brandt, president and chief brand officer at Chipotle, explained that Unwrap Extra is about giving back to fans and creating moments for people to come together around food they love. The promotion includes three consecutive Saturday deals plus surprise drops for Rewards Members throughout the month.
Extra Sweater Day concludes promotion series
The final buy-one-get-one offer of the season will take place on Dec. 21 with Extra Sweater Day. Customers who wear their most festive or outrageous sweater to a Chipotle location will have a chance to redeem the last BOGO deal of December. The promotion aims to encourage holiday spirit while rewarding customers with free food.
Between the Saturday promotions, Chipotle Rewards Members are receiving additional perks throughout the month. These surprise drops include extras like free chips or double protein added to orders. The rewards program has become central to Chipotle’s customer engagement strategy, offering exclusive benefits to members who sign up through the app or website.
The chain has made a deliberate effort to space out its promotions across December, ensuring customers have multiple opportunities to take advantage of deals during the busy holiday season. By focusing on Saturdays, Chipotle is targeting weekend diners when families and groups are more likely to visit restaurants together.
College students get special Bowl Eligible program
Chipotle has created a separate promotion specifically for college students whose football teams qualified for bowl games. The Bowl Eligible program allows Chipotle U Rewards Members at 84 universities with Football Bowl Subdivision postseason eligibility to receive a free entrée with purchase.
Students at qualifying schools must join Chipotle U Rewards by Thursday, Dec. 19, to claim the offer. Existing rewards members who attend eligible schools automatically received access to the buy-one-get-one offer on Wednesday, Dec. 11, and will receive another opportunity on Friday, Dec. 20.
To redeem the free entrée, students must place their order through the Chipotle app or website within seven days of the offer being added to their account. The promotion ties into college football’s bowl season, creating a connection between sports culture and the restaurant’s target demographic of young adults.
How to maximize Chipotle’s December deals
Customers looking to take full advantage of Chipotle’s December promotions should consider joining the Rewards program if they have not already. Membership is free and provides access to exclusive offers beyond the publicly available Saturday deals. The surprise drops are only available to Rewards Members, making enrollment worthwhile for regular customers.
The buy-one-get-one offers require in-restaurant redemption, meaning online or app orders do not qualify for the Saturday deals. Customers should plan to visit physical locations after 4 p.m. local time to ensure they can participate. Arriving during off-peak hours within that window might help avoid crowds, as these promotions typically draw significant traffic.
Kids’ meals do not count as entrée purchases for the buy-one-get-one promotions, which is an important detail for families planning to use the deals. Parents should budget for full-priced entrées if they want to take advantage of the free items. The five-item limit per check is generous enough for most groups but may require multiple transactions for very large parties.
Chipotle’s aggressive December promotion strategy reflects broader competition among fast-casual restaurants during the holiday season. Many chains roll out special offers in December to attract customers who are shopping, traveling or gathering for celebrations. By spreading promotions across multiple weekends rather than offering a single deal, Chipotle encourages repeat visits throughout the month.