Restaurant analyst tests Chipotle portion sizes by comparing 75 bowls; here's the result

CINCINNATI (WKRC) — The viral TikTok trend of customers filming Chipotle employees making their food because of speculations that the chain's portion sizes had gone down, has led to a Wells Fargo restaurant analyst testing the food portions of 75 bowls.

Chipotle spoke out about the social media trend, telling customers that there had been no changes in its portion sizes and that the company had reinforced proper portioning with its employees.

But a Wells Fargo restaurant analyst wanted to put the restaurant chain up to the test, by ordering 75 bowls from eight different NYC Chipotle locations and comparing the portion sizes. The results were wildly inconsistent.

Entrepreneur said the test was led by analyst Zachary Fadem and that the group of finance professionals ordered 75 bowls of white rice, black beans, chicken, pico de gallo, cheese and lettuce.

The results showed the bowl's weight varied dramatically, ranging from 27 ounces to 14 ounces and the median weight of the bowls was 21.5 ounces.

Despite the results and viral TikToks claiming Chipotle isn't consistent with its portion sizes, the company had a strong Q1 in 2024, making $2.7 billion in revenue and opening 47 new restaurants, according to Entrepreneur.