Does Chipotle Take EBT Cards, SNAP or Food Stamp Payment – Cooking meals is a routine chore in the majority of households. However, for senior citizens, homeless individuals and people living with disabilities shopping for groceries and cooking meals to put food on the table is a barrier due to their conditions. Fortunately, fast-food restaurants are accepting food stamps in many locations from SNAP recipients. Only approved fast-food chains and restaurants accept EBT payments from SNAP beneficiaries in states that are enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program.
However, only a few states are participating in this initiative, for instance California, Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, Rhode Island, Michigan, Virginia and so on. Those who are enrolled in the SNAP RMP program and wonder whether the popular international fast food chain– Chipotle accepts EBT or not have come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will help you to understand the ins and outs of Chipotle’s policy on EBT, the Restaurant Meals Program and the list of fast-food restaurants that accept EBT.
Highlights of this Post
What Is Chipotle?
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. also known simply as Chipotle is a popular international chain of fast-casual restaurants that serve bowls, mission burritos and tacos in front of the customer. The fast food restaurant has 3200 store locations as of March 2023.
The fast-casual restaurant was founded on 13th July 1993 and is headquartered presently in Newport Beach CA United States. Following is the list of areas served by fast food restaurants:
- Canada
- France
- Germany
- Kuwait
- United Kingdom
- United Arab Emirates
- United States of America.
Restaurant Meals Program: A Brief Overview
As a general rule SNAP benefits can be used for the purchase of staple food for home preparation and this does not cover hot prepared food from restaurants and fast food joints. The Restaurant Meals Program is an extension of SNAP benefits that allows elderly, homeless and disabled SNAP recipients who do not have the means or cannot prepare food at home and cook for themselves.
Introduced in 1978 RMP is a part of the federal food stamp law that is meant to prevent hunger among eligible SNAP recipients so that they can use EBT funds to purchase restaurant meals at approved restaurants and fast food places. Therefore establishments are not just limited to donut shops or grocery stores and bakeries that accept EBT. Following is the list of eligibility criteria to participate in RMP and access hot prepared meals with EBT benefits:
- You must be an adult of more than 60 years of age
- You must be a person with a disability
- You must be a person who has experienced homelessness and has no permanent nighttime address
- You must be a spouse of a SNAP recipient who is eligible for the RMP program
- You must have a valid EBT card and live in an RMP-approved state
If you fall in any one of these categories then you can be eligible for consideration for the Restaurant Meals Program.
Does Chipotle Accept EBT/ Food Stamps?
Unfortunately, Chipotle is not enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program and does not accept EBT cards or SNAP benefits as a method of payment. The food served by the restaurant is considered prepared or hot at the time of sale and so it does not qualify for SNAP benefits. Even if you’re living in an RMP-enrolled state you may not find a Chipotle restaurant that is accepting EBT since individual fast food chains and restaurants have to seek approval from USDA before accepting EBT payments.
Why Doesn’t Chipotle Accept EBT Payments From SNAP Beneficiaries?
The federal law leaves the discretion on whether or not to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program to individual states. Each state in America is at liberty to decide whether they want to enroll in the RMP program to enable EBT fast food delivery and Set the eligibility criteria to use debit cards at approved low-cost restaurants.
A key reason why you cannot use your EBT benefits at Chipotle is because the restaurant is yet not approved by USDA for the Restaurant Meals Program. Here are some reasons why most fast-food restaurants do not take EBT payments as a method of payment.
Limited RMP Participation
Not every state is participating in RMP to enable people to purchase food at their restaurants using EBT cards. Only a few states and restaurants accept food stamps.
Strict Program Requirements
Fast-food restaurants have to go through complex paperwork and meet strict eligibility criteria set by the USDA before accepting EBT payments from SNAP beneficiaries.
This makes a lot of restaurant owners and franchises hesitate to accept EBT due to the administrative burden and strict program requirements. RMP is a voluntary initiative and each state and restaurant has the freedom to decide if they want to enroll in the program or not.
How Many Chipotle Restaurants Are There In The United States Of America?
As of 23rd April 2024, there are approximately 3419 Chipotle restaurants throughout the United States of America. The U.S state and territory with the maximum number of Chipotle locations in America is California with around 478 restaurants which accounts for 14% of all Chipotle restaurants in America. All the locations are present in 49 U.S. states and territories and 1715 U.S. states.
Let’s take a look at the top US states and territories with the most Chipotle restaurants:
- California– 478 or 14% of the U.S Chipotle restaurant
- Texas- 301 or 9% of of the U.S Chipotle restaurant
- Ohio– 243 or 7% of the U.S Chipotle restaurant
- Florida– 241 or 7% of the U.S Chipotle restaurant
- New York- 213 or 6% of the U.S Chipotle restaurant
- Illinois- 167 or 5% of the U.S Chipotle restaurant
- Virginia- 130 or 4% of the U.S Chipotle restaurant
- Pennsylvania– 130 or 4% of the U.S Chipotle restaurant
- Maryland– 112 or 3% of the U.S Chipotle restaurant
- Georgia– 103 or 3% of the U.S Chipotle restaurant
Other states with reportedly Chipotle locations are as follows:
- Alabama (27)
- Arizona (99)
- Arkansas (10)
- Colorado (84)
- Connecticut (34)
- Delaware (11)
- Idaho (9)
- Indiana (59)
- Iowa (12)
- Kansas (38)
- Kentucky (29)
- Louisiana (12)
- Maine (7)
- Massachusetts (72)
- Michigan (58)
- Minnesota (78)
- Mississippi (10)
- Missouri (47)
- Montana (6)
- Nebraska (19)
- Nevada (37)
- New Hampshire (12)
- New Jersey (92)
- New Mexico (11)
- North Carolina (85)
- North Dakota (3)
- Oklahoma (15)
- Oregon (45)
- Pennsylvania (128)
- Rhode Island (13)
- South Carolina (40)
- South Dakota (2)
- Tennessee (46)
- Utah (31)
- Vermont (3)
- Washington (70)
- Washington DC (22)
- West Virginia (12)
- Wisconsin (27)
- Wyoming (2)
Only seven U.S. states and territories do not have any Chipotle restaurants in America and these are: Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, the US Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Cities with the maximum number of Chipotle restaurants in America are: New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Washington, Brooklyn, Cincinnati, Phoenix, Columbus and Las Vegas.
What Does Chipotle Menu Comprise?
Let’s take a look at the following Chipotle menu.
- Burrito
- Burrito bowl
- Lifestyle bowl
- Quesadilla
- Salads
- Tacos
- Kids meal
- Chips and sides
- Drinks
Chipotle’s menu comprises burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas and salads. The cost of every item is based on the choice of pork, chicken, barbeque, carnitas, tofu-based sofritas, steak or vegetarian. Additional toppings are provided free of charge including beans, rice, fajita vegetables, four types of salsas, lettuce, cheese and sour cream.
Which Fast-Food Restaurants Do Not Accept EBT Cards?
Similar to Chipotle many other fast food restaurants are not accepting EBT even if the state where the restaurant is situated participates in the Restaurant Meals Program.
- Arby’s
- A&W Restaurants
- Cinnabon
- Chick-fil-A
- Culver’s
- Dunkin’
- Einstein Bros. Bagels
- Five Guys Burger
- Hardee’s
- In-N-Out Burger
- Jimmy John’s
- Long John Silvers
- Panera Bread
- Panda Express
- Popeyes
- Qdoba Mexican Grill
- Starbucks
- Sonic Drive-In
- Shake Shack
- The Cheesecake Factory
- Tim Hortons
- Wingstop
- WingStreet
- Whataburger
- White Castle
- Zaxby’s
In Which States Can I Use My EBT To Purchase Restaurant Meals?
Only a limited number of states in America participate in the Restaurant Meals Program to allow SNAP recipients to use EBT benefits to access hot prepared meals from fast food joints and restaurants. These include the following:
- Arizona: Arizona has several fast food restaurants that accept EBT as a method of payment for instance vendors from Domino’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Subway, Taco Bell to name a few.
- Alabama: There is limited RMP participation in Alabama so only a few fast-food chains are accepting EBT here.
- California: More than 3000 restaurants in California participating in the Restaurant Meals Program. This state has the most robust and largest Restaurant Meals Program and a lot of fast food chains in California are accepting EBT from SNAP beneficiaries.
- Hawaii: A few Hawaii cities are accepting EBT from SNAP beneficiaries to help elderly, homeless and disabled recipients access hot prepared meals. We will update the post as soon as more restaurants enroll in RMP and accept EBT payments.
- Georgia. A handful of Georgia restaurants in Georgia accept EBT. To know more head to our guide and take a look at the comprehensive list of fast-food chains that accept witty food in Georgia.
- Michigan: A lot of fast-food restaurants in Michigan are accepting EBT from SNAP beneficiaries. The state enrolled in RMP in 2020.
- Maryland: Only one or two restaurants in select Maryland cities accept EBT for restaurant meals from SNAP beneficiaries. We will update the post as soon as more information about restaurants that accept EBT in Maryland becomes available
- Virginia: The Restaurant Meals Program has been implemented in Virginia recently and only Subway restaurants in Virginia accept EBT payments.
- Missouri: Only a handful of Missouri fast-food restaurants are accepting EBT or will be soon accepting EBT once they get authorized by USDA.
- Massachusetts: Only limited fast-food restaurants in Massachusetts accept EBT from SNAP beneficiaries. Learn about the participating Massachusetts restaurants and their locations that accept EBT in our next guide.
- Illinois: Illinois has enrolled in the Restaurant Meals Program in 2020 and only a handful of Cook or Franklin and Cook counties throughout the state accept EBT for restaurant meals in Illinois.
- Rhode Island: Only federal Hill Plaza and Subway restaurants in Rhode Island accept EBT from SNAP beneficiaries. Rhode Island is newly enrolled in RMP and we will update the post as more restaurants start accepting EBT.
Alternate Fast-Food Restaurants That Accept EBT or Food Stamps
Domino’s Pizza
Domino’s Pizza is a famous pizza delivery chain that accepts SNAP benefits in 60 California store locations. Domino’s Pizza participates in the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program and enables SNAP recipients to get satisfaction using EBT benefits. Besides pizza, you can enjoy pasta, desserts, sandwiches, chicken wings and a variety of items here.
McDonald’s
With 13,000+ locations throughout the United States, McDonald’s is one of the largest fast-food chains. Approximately 194 McDonald’s restaurants are accepting BTC across Arizona, California and Michigan. The restaurant is famous for selling iconic Big Mac burgers, chicken nuggets, fries, salads, burgers, dessert items, breakfast items and so on.
Burger King
The second largest hamburger chain next to McDonald’s in America is Burger King. The restaurant is accepting EBT in Arizona and California locations. It is known for selling its iconic burger known as Whooper, along with sides like chicken nuggets, onion rings, chicken fries and mozzarella sticks.
KFC
A popular choice when it comes to looking for fast-food restaurants that accept EBT is KFC. They are famous for their flavorful and crispy fried chicken including sandwiches, buckets of mashed potato, biscuits, cold beverages etc. California, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, and Rhode Island are some approved states where you can find EBT-friendly KFC restaurants.
Carl’s Jr.
Carl’s Jr. offers mouth-watering charbroiled burgers, sandwiches, chicken options, crispy onion rings, salads and other hearty Meals to its customers. Nearly 150 restaurants of Carl’s Jr. are accepting EBT in select Arizona and California counties.
Dairy Queen
The cherished and iconic fast food chain Dairy Queen is accepting EBT benefits in certain Arizona locations. The chain is popular for serving soft serve ice cream treats like dilly bars and blizzards along with other snacks like burgers, chicken strips, hot food, chicken strips burgers, sweet treats, frozen desserts etc.
Denny’s
Denny’, is a popular American table service dinner-style restaurant that offers impressive breakfast options like pancakes, bacon strips, sausage, coffee, lunch and dinner options. Around 50 Denny’s restaurants are accepting EBT in California.
Del Taco
Del Taco is popular among Americans for its tacos, quesadillas, burritos, burgers, shakes, fries etc. Nearly 140 Del Taco store locations in California accept EBT payments. If you are fond of Mexican and American flavors then you can enjoy Del Taco food with your EBT card.
Little Caesars
Little Caesars is one more beloved pizza chain in America with 4000 + locations throughout the Country. Only a few locations in California located in San Diego accept SNAP or EBT benefits. Little Caesars menu comprises a variety of chicken items.
EL Pollo Loco
Another popular choice among Americans that serve healthier fast food choices is El Pollo Loco. These include chicken burritos, flame-grilled chicken, tacos, rice, and beans. Family dinners, chicken, sites like broccoli beans rice etc. Nearly 228 El Pollo Loco restaurants are accepting EBT benefits in California.
Jack-In-The-Box
Jack-In-The-Box is popular for serving burgers, tacos, breakfast items, milkshakes and chicken sandwiches to its customers. From tacos and burgers to breakfast items and even late-night snacks SNAP recipients can find a variety of food options here and pay their food bills using their EBT card. Nearly 475 Jack-In-The-Box stores are accepting EBT in California.
Papa John’s
Papa John’s is a popular pizza delivery and take-out chain that is known for its pizza with signature garlic butter sauce and fresh ingredients. Around 8 locations in California accept food stamp benefits as a method of payment. From specialty pizza to classic pepperoni you can find a wide array of pizza options at Papa John’s.
Pizza Hut
The giant pizza chain Pizza Hut is not only popular for its vast collection of pizza menus but also sites like pasta, chicken wings, cheesy garlic knots and breadsticks. SNAP recipients can fulfill their pizza cravings with the help of their EBT cards. Nearly 225 Pizza Hut stores are accepting food stamp benefits in California.
Rally’s Hamburger
Rally’s Hamburger is a fast food chain that provides quick and comforting meals, especially burgers, hot dog sandwiches and chicken items. They accept EBT in certain Arizona and California counties through the Restaurant Meals Program.
Subway
Subway is a popular fast food restaurant known for its footlong sandwiches that participate in the Restaurant Meals Program. Approximately 500 Subway stores are accepting EBT in California and Arizona.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell is a popular fast-food chain that serves tacos, nachos, burritos and many other Mexican-inspired menus. The fast food chain provides a taste and convenient option for SNAP recipients to enjoy meals using their EBT benefits. Nearly 20 Taco Bell locations in Arizona and California accept EBT benefits.
Wendy’s
A popular fast food chain in America that is known for burgers and frosty with 6000+ locations throughout the country is Wendy’s. Around 85 Wendy’s restaurants are accepting EBT in California. You can enjoy delicious chicken sandwiches, salads, sides, and square-shaped burgers here and enjoy a convenient and satisfying meal.
Popeyes
The beloved fried chicken chain Popeyes has been serving customers for more than 50 years in Louisiana and has also spread to other parts of the country. The fast food restaurant is enrolled in the RMP program and accepts EBT in Arizona and California.
Church’s Chicken
Churches Chicken is a popular fried chicken restaurant chain known as Church’s Chicken accepts EBT as a method of payment in 12 Arizona counties. These locations are Casa Grande, Douglas, Nogales, Phoenix, Tucson and Winslow. The restaurant is popular for family meals, tenders, chicken meal combos and other side dishes.
Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken
Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken is a beloved restaurant in America known for serving fried chicken items and a variety of sites. The restaurant is accepted EBT in nearly 12 California counties. Apart from crispy fried chicken, you can also enjoy mouth-watering sides that include cold slow, cornbread, beans and rice.
Tam’s Burger
The famous family-style drive-through restaurant Tam’s Burger accepts EBT in Southern California and is known for serving fresh, high-quality, comfortable and quick-service food. You can purchase breakfast burritos, chili fries, chicken tenders and many other items with your EBT card in Southern California.
The Habit Burger Grill
Habit Burger Grill is famous for serving sandwiches, char-grilled burgers for milkshakes, salads, soups, chicken, fish, kids meals and beverages. Nearly 12 locations of the Habit Burger Grill are accepting EBT payments through Calfresh RMP and all are located in Riverside county.
Note: This is note an exhaustive list and to get more head to our comprehensive guide on fast-food restaurants that accept EBT.
How To Locate RMP-Approved Restaurants That Accept EBT?
Finding an RMP-approved restaurant that accepts food stamp benefits cards or EBT is not a challenging task today. All that you need to do is look for signage that states Participating Restaurant: SNAP Restaurant Meals Program and has a Fork and Knife logo displayed on the window or the door of the restaurant. A lot of restaurants or fast food joints that are accepting EBT keep a signboard with the writing “We Accept EBT Cards for EBT Card Holders Are Welcome”.
To learn more details you can contact your local SNAP agency. Once you have located the participating restaurant, using your EBT card is a simple process. You simply have to swipe your EBT card and enter your 4-digit PIN to authorize the transaction.
Conclusion
The SNAP is one of the largest hunger assistance programs in America that also assists elderly, homeless and disabled SNAP recipients to access hot prepared meals through the Restaurant Meals Program. It is important to note that only a few states and restaurants are participating in this program. Unfortunately Chipotle is not one of the fast-food restaurants that accept EBT payments from SNAP recipients. You can enjoy fast-food dishes from this restaurant using an alternate source of payment like debit card, credit card or cash instead of EBT payments. Nevertheless, our comprehensive guide has listed the names of some fast-food chains that are accepting EBT in select states. Moreover to participate in the program and access prepared meals using EBT benefits you need to seek approval from USDA and meet the eligibility criteria as stated above.
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