Chipotle Catering Packages Compared: Which One to Pick
Chipotle sells catering as seven packages across three families, and the naming does not make the differences obvious. The practical question is not what each contains but which one suits your group, and that comes down to three things: how many people, how mixed their tastes are, and whether anyone needs to eat without touching a buffet. Here is the side-by-side.
Chipotle has seven catering packages in three families. Burritos by the Box ($8.75/person, min 6) is pre-wrapped and cheapest for small groups. Build Your Own Spreads ($8.75 to $13.50, min 10) let guests assemble their own. Popular Builds ($12 to $13.50, min 10) are curated themed sets. Maximum 200 people, 24 hours notice.
- Cheapest per person: Burritos by the Box and Single Spread, both $8.75.
- Lowest minimum: Burritos by the Box at 6 people; everything else needs 10.
- Most flexible: Build Your Own Spreads — guests assemble their own.
- Single vs Double is one protein vs two, and it is the decision that matters most.
- Chips & Dips is $40 flat, serving 10 to 15 — not per person.
- Under 6 people? Catering is the wrong product entirely.
All Seven Packages
| Package | Per person | Minimum | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burritos by the Box | $8.75 | 6 people | Pre-wrapped |
| Build Your Own — Single Spread | $8.75 | 10 people | Build Your Own |
| Plant Powered | $12.00 | 10 people | Popular Build |
| Work Anywhere | $12.00 | 10 people | Popular Build |
| Build Your Own — Double Spread | $12.00 | 10 people | Build Your Own |
| Small Get-Together | $13.50 | 10 people | Popular Build |
| Build Your Own — Triple Spread | $13.50 | 10 people | Build Your Own |
| Chips & Dips add-on | $40 flat (serves 10–15) | Add-on | |
Pricing is unusually consistent across the country. Unlike the in-store menu, which varies significantly by market, Chipotle catering rates show almost no regional variation — the figures above held across Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.
The Three Families Explained
Burritos by the Box. Pre-rolled individual burritos, mix and match fillings. Every two burritos arrive with chips, tomatillo-green chili salsa, and sour cream on the side. Nothing to assemble, nothing to serve — you hand people a burrito.
Build Your Own Spreads. A buffet setup with proteins, bases, toppings, salsas, and tortillas laid out so guests assemble their own bowls, burritos, tacos, or salads. Single, Double, and Triple refer to how many proteins are included.
Popular Builds. Curated themed packages — Plant Powered, Work Anywhere, Small Get-Together — at fixed per-person rates. These are pre-decided combinations for people who do not want to configure a spread.
Which One to Choose
| Your situation | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 10 people, known preferences | Burritos by the Box | Only package with a 6-person minimum |
| Mixed tastes or dietary needs | Double or Triple Spread | Guests avoid what they do not eat |
| Tight budget, uniform group | Single Spread | $8.75 with full build-your-own flexibility |
| Vegetarian and vegan guests | Plant Powered | Built for it without separate orders |
| No serving space or staff | Burritos by the Box | Nothing to set up or serve |
| Office lunch, people grazing | Work Anywhere | Designed for the format |
| Want maximum choice | Triple Spread | Three proteins, widest coverage |
Single vs Double vs Triple
This is the decision that moves your bill most, so it is worth being deliberate. The jump from Single to Double costs $3.25 per person, and Double to Triple another $1.50.
| Group of | Single ($8.75) | Double ($12) | Triple ($13.50) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | $87.50 | $120.00 | $135.00 |
| 20 | $175.00 | $240.00 | $270.00 |
| 30 | $262.50 | $360.00 | $405.00 |
| 50 | $437.50 | $600.00 | $675.00 |
Before tax, delivery, and add-ons.
The honest guidance: Double is the sensible default for any group you do not personally know the preferences of. One protein leaves anyone who does not eat it with beans and rice. Triple is worth the extra $1.50 only for larger or more varied groups — at 10 people the difference is $15 total, which is trivial, so take it.
If Your Group Is Under Six
Catering is the wrong product. Chipotle sells a separate digital-only family meal aimed at roughly four to six people, ordered through the regular app rather than the catering portal. It costs under $10 per person, needs no advance notice, and is typically ready in about 15 minutes.
It includes one protein, one rice, one bean, a premium side (guacamole or queso), three salsas or toppings, romaine, cheese, two large bags of chips, and eight soft tortillas.
For fewer than four people, a group order link through the app is simpler than either route. Pricing for both is covered on our catering cost guide, with the full menu on the catering menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Chipotle catering packages are there?
Seven, across three families: Burritos by the Box, three Build Your Own Spreads (Single, Double, Triple), and three Popular Builds (Plant Powered, Work Anywhere, Small Get-Together). A Chips and Dips add-on is available separately at $40.
Which Chipotle catering package is cheapest?
Burritos by the Box and the Build Your Own Single Spread, both at $8.75 per person. Burritos by the Box has the lower minimum at 6 people versus 10 for the spread.
What is the difference between Single, Double, and Triple Spread?
The number of proteins offered. Single includes one protein at $8.75 per person, Double includes two at $12, and Triple includes three at $13.50. All three include bases, toppings, salsas, and tortillas.
What is the minimum order for Chipotle catering?
Six people for Burritos by the Box and ten people for every other package. The maximum is 200 people.
What is the Plant Powered package?
One of the curated Popular Builds at $12 per person with a 10-person minimum, built around plant-based options. It suits groups with vegetarian and vegan guests without requiring separate orders.
Do catering packages include chips?
Burritos by the Box includes chips, tomatillo-green chili salsa, and sour cream with every two burritos. For spreads, chips come through the separate Chips and Dips add-on at $40, which serves 10 to 15.
How far ahead do I need to order Chipotle catering?
At least 24 hours. Orders are placed at chipotle.com/catering, through the Chipotle app, or by calling your local restaurant.
Which package is best for a mixed group?
A Build Your Own Double or Triple Spread, since guests assemble their own plates and can avoid ingredients they do not eat. Pre-wrapped Burritos by the Box is riskier when tastes or dietary needs vary.
Methodology
Catering rates reflect chipotle.com/catering and in-restaurant pricing verified in 2026 from a Chicago location and cross-checked against Los Angeles and New York. Chipotle catering pricing is unusually consistent nationally, with far less regional variation than its in-store menu, but minimums, availability, and delivery terms differ by restaurant. Confirm current rates before ordering.
