Chipotle is testing happy hour pricing in three markets
The fast-casual Mexican chain is offering the $2.50 tacos in Kansas City, Orlando and Tampa through June 2
June 1, 2026
Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright teased of a “happier hour” test during the company’s first quarter earnings call in late April, noting that the objective is to understand its “pricing power elasticity.”
“We're going to test ideas like that to understand where we may have a challenged market from a pricing perspective, and what levers can we pull to get consumers in our restaurants and feel like they're not getting good value, they're getting extraordinary value,” he said.
Now we have a bit more clarity about what that test looks like. The “Power Up at Chipotle” promotion was recently tested in Kansas City, Orlando and Tampa from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It included $2.50 soft or crispy tacos with any protein, including Chipotle Honey Chicken.
The company said the test opens up a new opportunity in the afternoons for consumers seeking snacks. Chipotle cites Datassential research showing that 90% of consumers now eat outside of traditional mealtimes, with 52% of younger consumers identifying 2 to 5 p.m. as their peak snack window.
“As more guests turn to restaurants for snacks, we’re looking at how Chipotle can fit into those moments,” Senior Vice President, Brand Marketing Stephanie Perdue said in a statement. “When many snacks rely on artificial ingredients, Chipotle offers a different kind of boost — real food made without shortcuts. Power Up at Chipotle makes it easy to grab something quick and satisfying, whether you’re heading to practice, between classes, or meeting up with friends.”
The Power Up at Chipotle offer was good for in-restaurant orders only. There was an additional cost for guacamole, Queso Blanco, extra protein or other premium add-ons.
Chipotle will leverage its stage-gate process to listen, test and learn from customer feedback, and iterate before deciding on a broader launch strategy.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
Follow her on TikTok: @aliciakelso
About the Author
Alicia Kelso
Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News
Alicia Kelso is the executive editor of Nation's Restaurant News. She began covering the restaurant industry in 2010 for QSRweb.com, FastCasual.com, and PizzaMarketplace.com. When her son was born, she left the industry to pursue a role in higher education, but swiftly returned after realizing how much she missed the space. In filling that void, Alicia added a contributor role at Restaurant Dive and a senior contributor role at Forbes.
Her work has appeared in publications around the world, including Forbes Asia, NPR, Bloomberg, The Seattle Times, Crain's Chicago, Good Morning America, and Franchise Asia Magazine.
Alicia holds a degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University, where she competed on the women's swim team. In addition to cheering for the BGSU Falcons, Alicia is a rabid Michigan fan and will talk about college football with anyone willing to engage. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her wife and son.
Follow her on TikTok @aliciakelso
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