--- title: "Chipotle posts a third straight quarter of same-store sales growth as loyalty members reach 24 million" description: "Chipotle's turnaround continued in the third quarter, and a revamped rewards program now drives one-third of its sales." url: https://business-finance.skoop.news/should-investors-buy-into-the-chipotle-turnaround--11-05/ published: 2026-11-05T03:25:49.205500-05:00 modified: 2026-11-05T03:25:49.205509-05:00 section: "Business & Finance" publisher: "skoop.news" language: en keywords: ["chipotle", "Scott Boatwright", "Canada", "Minnesota", "MyMcDonald", "business", "sales"] hashtags: ["#ScottBoatwright", "#Chipotle", "#Canada", "#Business", "#entrepreneur"] image: https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Andrew_and_Starr_Edwards%27_Bitchin%27_Sauce_%28Chipotle%29.jpg/1280px-Andrew_and_Starr_Edwards%27_Bitchin%27_Sauce_%28Chipotle%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail --- # Chipotle posts a third straight quarter of same-store sales growth as loyalty members reach 24 million > Chipotle's turnaround continued in the third quarter, and a revamped rewards program now drives one-third of its sales. Published 2026-11-05 · Updated 2026-11-05 · Business & Finance, [skoop.news](https://skoop.news/) ## In brief - Chipotle's same-store sales rose 2.1% in the third quarter, its third straight quarter of comparable-store sales growth. [[1]](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/11/05/should-investors-buy-into-the-chipotle-turnaround/) - Chipotle revamped its rewards program in April and now has over 24 million active members. [[1]](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/11/05/should-investors-buy-into-the-chipotle-turnaround/) - Low-income consumers outperformed high-income consumers at Chipotle restaurants during the quarter for the first time this year, according to Boatwright. [[2]](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/28/chipotle-mexican-grill-cmg-q3-2026-earnings.html) ## The headline number Chipotle's same-store sales rose 2.1% in the third quarter, its third straight quarter of comparable-store sales growth. [[1]](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/11/05/should-investors-buy-into-the-chipotle-turnaround/) The result matters to anyone who follows the chain as a diner, an app user or an investor, because it extends a turnaround. [[1]](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/11/05/should-investors-buy-into-the-chipotle-turnaround/) For the full year, Chipotle reiterated its forecast that same-store sales will increase by a low-single-digit percentage. [[2]](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/28/chipotle-mexican-grill-cmg-q3-2026-earnings.html) ## How the rewards program changed Chipotle revamped its rewards program in April and now has over 24 million active members. [[1]](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/11/05/should-investors-buy-into-the-chipotle-turnaround/) Those loyalty members hit 24 million by September and accounted for one-third of all sales, the largest share in company history. [[3]](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/money/chipotle-new-rewards-program-breaks-records-b3078350.html) The April overhaul of the app extended how long rewards points last and added monthly free food promotions. [[3]](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/money/chipotle-new-rewards-program-breaks-records-b3078350.html) It also lowered the points needed to redeem for items such as tortillas, soda and chips. [[3]](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/money/chipotle-new-rewards-program-breaks-records-b3078350.html) CEO Scott Boatwright said the loyalty program is designed to deepen engagement and give guests more reasons to visit Chipotle. [[3]](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/money/chipotle-new-rewards-program-breaks-records-b3078350.html) ## Who is spending Low-income consumers outperformed high-income consumers at Chipotle restaurants during the quarter for the first time this year, according to Boatwright. [[2]](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/28/chipotle-mexican-grill-cmg-q3-2026-earnings.html) Boatwright said low-income consumers spent the most in September, when promotions were at their low point during the quarter, and that discounts are not the reason for their growth. [[2]](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/28/chipotle-mexican-grill-cmg-q3-2026-earnings.html) ## Pressures and setbacks Chipotle has been feeling pressure from wage inflation, higher labor usage, and increased prices. [[1]](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/11/05/should-investors-buy-into-the-chipotle-turnaround/) In the second half of July, Chipotle saw sales pull back as diners grew concerned about raw lettuce due to cyclospora, although its own supply was never tied to an outbreak. [[2]](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/28/chipotle-mexican-grill-cmg-q3-2026-earnings.html) In August, it temporarily pulled jalapenos from Minnesota restaurants after its supply was potentially linked to a salmonella outbreak. [[2]](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/28/chipotle-mexican-grill-cmg-q3-2026-earnings.html) Chipotle saw trends soften in early October, although executives said its traffic has returned to growth since then. [[2]](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/28/chipotle-mexican-grill-cmg-q3-2026-earnings.html) ## Expansion and competition Chipotle plans to add 340 to 360 U.S. and Canada company-owned locations and 15 to 25 international restaurants in 2027. [[1]](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/11/05/should-investors-buy-into-the-chipotle-turnaround/) McDonald's announced in September that it plans to launch a refreshed MyMcDonald's Rewards program this year. [[3]](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/money/chipotle-new-rewards-program-breaks-records-b3078350.html) ## What it means for you If you use the Chipotle app, the April changes apply to you: rewards points last longer, monthly free food promotions are available, and fewer points are needed to redeem items such as tortillas, soda and chips. [[3]](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/money/chipotle-new-rewards-program-breaks-records-b3078350.html) Loyalty members accounted for one-third of all sales by September, so the program is a large part of the business. [[3]](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/money/chipotle-new-rewards-program-breaks-records-b3078350.html) If you follow the company as an investor, the full-year forecast of low-single-digit same-store sales growth is the figure to hold against future results. [[2]](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/28/chipotle-mexican-grill-cmg-q3-2026-earnings.html) ## Sources 1. [Should Investors Buy Into the Chipotle Turnaround?](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/11/05/should-investors-buy-into-the-chipotle-turnaround/) — fool.com 2. [Chipotle shares rise 7% after CEO says same-store sales growth will continue](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/28/chipotle-mexican-grill-cmg-q3-2026-earnings.html) — CNBC 3. [Chipotle overhauled its rewards program - and it looks like it’s working](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/money/chipotle-new-rewards-program-breaks-records-b3078350.html) — independent.co.uk Image: Photo: Tim-desser / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andrew_and_Starr_Edwards%27_Bitchin%27_Sauce_(Chipotle).jpg) --- Written from the sources above and checked twice (rules and an independent model) before publishing. How we work: https://skoop.news/how-we-work/ · Corrections: https://skoop.news/corrections/