Chipotle Mexican Grill does not accept EBT cards at any of its locations in the United States. The fast-casual chain is not an authorized SNAP grocery retailer, which means you cannot use EBT for in-store purchases, online orders, or curbside pickup.

Furthermore, Chipotle does not participate in the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) in any state that offers it. As a result, EBT is not an option for in-restaurant dining or for orders placed through third-party apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash.

While this policy is currently in effect nationwide, you can always check for future updates for a specific restaurant on the official Chipotle locator.

What Is The RMP And Who's Eligible

The Restaurant Meals Program is a state-run option within SNAP. It allows certain households to buy prepared hot meals at approved restaurants using their standard EBT benefits.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, every person in the household must meet specific criteria. This includes being elderly (age 60 or older), having a permanent disability, or experiencing homelessness. Spouses of eligible members are also covered.

Eligibility is automatically coded onto the EBT card. Restaurants simply swipe the card for payment. If a household is not approved for the program, the EBT system declines the transaction.

Participating States

The RMP is not available nationwide, as each state must opt into the program. As of mid-2025, several states have implemented the program, offering this benefit to their eligible residents.

• Arizona

• California

• Illinois

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• New York

• Rhode Island

• Virginia

Households in the RMP use their existing monthly SNAP funds to buy meals. No additional money is provided for restaurant purchases, as the program simply expands where benefits can be spent.

While the USDA provides the framework, individual states manage their own programs. States decide on vendor participation, menu price limits, and other specific rules for their residents.

Why Doesn't Chipotle Accept EBT?

Chipotle's decision likely stems from the complexities of the Restaurant Meals Program. As a state-run option, the RMP isn't available nationwide, limiting its reach. Furthermore, strict eligibility rules—often for the elderly, disabled, or homeless—severely shrink the addressable market in participating states. For a national chain, investing in a program with such a limited customer base may not be practical.

Operational hurdles also play a role. Accepting EBT requires federal authorization and technical updates to payment systems. Point-of-sale terminals must be programmed to handle SNAP transactions, a process demanding time and resources. Since Chipotle would only qualify through the limited RMP, the effort to implement these changes chain-wide may not justify the return from a small customer segment.