Chipotle, the popular fast casual restaurant chain serving delicious burritos and tacos, has fully embraced mobile payments in recent years. Now you can leave your physical wallet behind because Chipotle takes Apple Pay across all locations – making checkout seamless for iPhone users.
But how exactly does Apple Pay work at Chipotle? Do you need to download the Chipotle app first or can you pay directly in-store? What about ordering online for pickup? This article covers everything you need to know about using Apple Pay at Chipotle restaurants, drive-thrus, and in the app.
We’ll provide step-by-step instructions for setting up Apple Pay and explain the payment process with an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or other Apple device when dining at Chipotle.
We’ll also outline the convenience, speed, and security benefits this contactless payment method offers compared to using cash or physical credit cards.
And if you’re not an Apple user, don’t worry, as Chipotle also accepts Google Pay and other common mobile wallets.
Let’s dive in!
Is Apple Pay Accepted at Chipotle Locations?
The first question you probably have is:
Does Chipotle actually take Apple Pay in their restaurants?
The short answer is: Yes, Apple Pay is now accepted at all Chipotle locations in the United States as of 2020 when the restaurant chain upgraded their point-of-sale (POS) systems. This includes over 3304 Chipotle restaurants across the country.
So you can use your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or Mac to pay for your meal via the contactless terminals now installed. No more fumbling for your wallet or dirty cash and cards while your delicious burrito awaits!
Apple Pay acceptance also applies to Chipotle drive-thrus for convenient ordering from your car. As long as you see the Apple Pay logo displayed, just tap or scan your Apple device.
This wallet app integration took a bit of time but now 90% of retailers readily accept Apple Pay. And Chipotle quickly realized mobile ordering and payments improve speed and accuracy while making thousands of loyal customers happy.
As Curt Garner, Chief Information Officer at Chipotle explained:
“Our guests want and deserve the same intuitive mobile ordering experience they get in our restaurants. That is exactly what our app delivers.”
So feel confident that you can use Apple Pay when dining inside a Chipotle restaurant or going through their drive-thru lane. But mobile ordering flexibility doesn’t stop there…
Does The Chipotle App Accept Apple Pay Too?
Conveniently, Apple Pay was integrated into the Chipotle app way back in 2017. So you can order ahead and pay seamlessly via Apple Pay without the need to insert your credit card details each time.
The app also includes easy re-ordering capabilities where your Apple Pay payment method stays on file if you want for future use. This can save you time fumbling around right before you’re ready to eat.
Here are the basic steps to order Chipotle mobile pickup or delivery with Apple Pay:
- Download and install the Chipotle app on your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch if you haven’t already
- Browse the menu and place your customized order as you normally would
- Select “Checkout” and choose Apple Pay as your form of payment
- Use Face ID, Touch ID, passcode or other verification
- Verify the correct card through your Apple Wallet and pay!
- Enjoy your food ordered seamlessly via Apple Pay!
Customers love the enhanced Chipotle ordering experience on iOS mobile devices. It allows easy re-ordering in just a few taps plus savings opportunities from exclusives and free food reward promotions.
The security of payment options like Apple Pay gives additional peace of mind. This also prevents you from having to load up multiple restaurant apps because Chipotle has everything streamlined now.
Next let’s walk through exactly how to use Apple Pay in-store when ordering your food from a Chipotle cashier or drive-thru teller…
Step-By-Step Guide To Paying With Your iPhone at Chipotle
Since all Chipotle locations have upgraded their POS systems to support contactless payments, paying with your iPhone using Apple Pay in-store is super quick and easy!
Here are the step-by step instructions when ordering at the counter inside:
- Choose your food order at Chipotle and tell the cashier you’ll be paying with Apple Pay
- When ready to pay, double-click the side button of your iPhone to bring up your Apple Wallet app
- authenticate your identity using Face ID or by entering your passcode
- Select the credit or debit card you want to use through your Wallet
- Hold your unlocked iPhone close to the contactless payment terminal
- Wait for the checkmark confirmation that Apple Pay payment succeeded!
The proximity reader will beam out near field communication (NFC) signals to digitally transmit your encrypted payment data via Apple Pay. No need to insert or tap a chip-enabled credit card.
It’s as quick and easy as that to leave your physical wallet or purse behind while getting your Chipotle fix! Just a few seconds at checkout to verify your identity and meal payment using innovative technology.
Apple Pay is even accepted when using the Chipotle app to order ahead for in-store pickup. When checking out online, simply choose the “Pay in Store” option. Then when arriving to collect your meal, follow the above Apple Pay payment flow with your iPhone.
It’s super convenient to skip physical cards and cash altogether now thanks to mobile payments innovation. Especially with restaurants upgrading to streamline in-store and app ordering.
What Steps Should You Take To Set Up Apple Pay?
You’re sold on the convenience of using Apple Pay at Chipotle but haven’t configured it yet on your device…
The good news is it only takes a few minutes to set up! Most newer iPhones and Apple Watches already have Apple Pay wallet set up out of the box.
But you still need to add your bank credit or debit card before you can make payments.
Here is how to get Apple Pay configured on your compatible iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or MacBook:
- Open Settings app and tap “Wallet & Apple Pay”
- Tap “Add Card” and select your bank card you want to use
- Confirm your identity through FaceID/TouchID authentication
- Enter additional verification info if your bank requires it
- Review terms and ensure the correct billing details
- Start enjoying Apple Pay including at Chipotle restaurants!
Once your bank card is successfully added to Apple Wallet, you can leave your physical wallet behind and start paying using just your Apple device!
Now Chipotle and thousands of other stores readily accept Apple Pay, so mobile order ahead or tap to pay in seconds at checkout terminals. After setting up your payment card, it’s highly secure as well using built-in iOS data encryption.
What If You Want To Pay With Apple Watch Instead?
In addition to paying with your iPhone, you can also use your Apple Watch thanks to the Apple Wallet integration!
As long as your Apple Watch is paired to your iPhone, just follow similar steps to authenticate and select the desired payment card. No need to carry your phone around while you order and eat.
Here is how to pay with your Apple Watch at Chipotle:
- Double click the side button of your Apple Watch at checkout
- Raise your wrist and authenticate payment using your set passcode
- Select the card to pay with through the Apple Wallet glance
- Hold your watch face closely near the contactless terminal
- Wait for subtle vibration and beeping sound – payment done!
Tapping your Apple Watch to pay is even faster than getting your phone out in some cases. The process takes under 5 seconds total!
So consider paying for your burrito bowl using the highly convenient Apple Watch integration. Just make sure to set up Apple Pay correctly on both watch and iPhone beforehand.
What Are The Benefits Of Paying With Apple Pay?
Using Apple Pay technology integrated directly with Chipotle restaurants and their app offers numerous benefits:
- It’s incredibly fast – no need to pull out your wallet, swipe or insert your old payment card. Just double click and scan your device right at checkout! Lines move faster as a result which everyone appreciates
- Super convenient – only need to remember to bring one device now when going out to stores, restaurants, groceries, and more
- Very secure – your actual credit card number is never shared directly with merchants like Chipotle. Instead an encrypted token or Device Account Number is used with dynamic security code
- Privacy focused – your name, card numbers and actual device identifiers are never shared with retailers either thanks to Apple Pay architecture and guidelines
- Rewards opportunities – some banks offer cashback incentives when using Apple Pay vs old payment cards at stores like Chipotle!
- Order ahead easily – Chipotle app integration means you can customize orders in advance from anywhere and pay seamlessly using Apple Pay! Then just walk in or drive through to pick up your waiting meal.
As you can see, moving to mobile payments using Apple devices instead of physical credit cards or cash has huge upside all around!
Now that all Chipotle restaurants accept Apple Pay and other contactless payments like Google Pay, you don’t need to hesitate to leave the house without your wallet. Just remember your trusted iPhone or Apple Watch to order and effortlessly pay!
Does Chipotle Accept Other Digital Payment Options Too?
We’ve covered everything about Chipotle accepting Apple Pay across all stores, drive-thrus and in their app. But you may be wondering about other modern payment options if you’re not part of the Apple device ecosystem…
The good news is Chipotle also accepts common third party mobile wallets like Google Pay and Samsung Pay!
That’s because the upgraded point-of-sale systems have NFC readers which allow contactless transactions from many consumer devices, not just Apple.
Wherever you see the contactless payments logo displayed at Chipotle, you should be able to use alternative mobile apps like:
- Google Pay – Works on most modern Android phones and app
- Samsung Pay – Configured right on newer Samsung Galaxy devices
So just look for payment branding decals on the checkout terminals, windows or drive-thru signs. As millions of customers routinely use smartphones for purchases now, savvy restaurants like Chipotle cater to mobile pay users directly beyond just Apple Pay.
This guide focused specifically on using Apple Pay when ordering Chipotle food in-store, via drive-thru or mobile app. But nice to know you have flexibility as a customer to pay however you prefer!
Chipotle also accepts traditional payment methods like major credit cards, debit cards and good old cash. Plus you can redeem promotional or purchased gift cards towards your order either in-person or in the mobile app when signed in to your account.
Lots of ways to get your burrito or tacos paid for!
Key Takeaways About Chipotle Accepting Apple Pay
Here are some key points to remember about using Apple Pay when ordering food and drinks at Chipotle restaurants:
- All Chipotle locations now take contactless payments after POS upgrades including Apple Pay along with Google Pay and Samsung Pay
- You can pay using Apple Pay both through Chipotle mobile app plus when ordering in-store or at drive-thus
- Make sure to set up Apple Pay properly on your compatible iPhone, Apple Watch or iPad beforehand
- To pay in-store, simply double click then hold near payment terminal to scan your device using NFC
- Chipotle app also accepts Apple Pay when ordering ahead online for quicker payment and pickup
- Benefits beyond speed/convenience include added security, opportunities to earn rewards from your bank, and order customization!
So consider linking your debit or credit card to Apple Wallet if you frequent Chipotle restaurants.
Leave old payment cards behind and tap your Apple device to get your favorite food fast via Apple Pay! Just look for “contactless payment” logos when entering stores or drive-thus now.
Conclusion
We hope this detailed guide answered all your questions around whether Chipotle accepts Apple Pay or contactless payments.
The short answer is a resounding yes across all restaurants plus mobile ordering through their app!
By upgrading POS systems nationally, they’ve made it easy to order food faster and more conveniently than ever thanks to mobile payment innovation.
Now iPhone, Apple Watch and even Android users have flexibility to pay seamlessly while eliminating hassles of physical cards and cash.
Expect more restaurant chains to follow suit offering Apple Pay and other contactless transactions. But nice to see Chipotle get ahead of the game to improve their customer ordering experience leveraging cool technology.
So treat yourself to a delicious burrito bowl or tacos using just your mobile device soon!