Chipotle

I discovered how Chipotle increases their profits the other day. It's by making my burrito intentionally small.

I think it was Monday that Sara and I went there. Both of us were in line, and if I remember correctly the lady in front of us got a pretty healthy amount of rice and meat. So of course when we get ours, the gal working the line gave us about half of what I would consider a proper amount. I feel like this happens to me a lot when I'm there.

Of course, the appropriate response to the unsatisfactory amount of food would be to politely ask for more, especially in a case where the line really isn't that long so you don't have to worry about pissing off the 100 customers behind you. My problem is that my thought process goes something like this: "damn, that's not a big burrito.... well, guess I'll buy chips!"

This happens just about every time I get a small burrito.

I don't know anything about the financial health about the company, but by shortchanging my burrito, the company has probably made about an extra $20 or so from me... and if they do this to specific other people, they're probably financing the CEO's bonus with all the extra cash. At least I'm assuming they're tricking other people into buying chips. Otherwise I'm an idiot... and Chipotle has yet to discover the gold mine that is pinpointing the customers who are on the fence about chips.

The real question is how they know that I would so easily fall for this tactic...