It’s Saturday, 9 p.m. The game’s tomorrow, your cousins are coming over, and somebody says, “Let’s just get Chipotle.” Great idea. Except you open the catering page and Sunday is already blocked out.

Yeah. Chipotle won’t make a catering order with less than 24 hours’ notice. Not for anyone.

So here’s the trick, and it’s not a complicated one: if you want Chipotle catering for Sunday, book it on Friday. You get your pick of pickup times, a whole day to fix mistakes, and a Sunday morning where you’re not on the phone begging a store manager.

I’ll walk you through the 2026 prices, how much food you’ll need for 10, 20 or 50 people, and the little stuff other catering guides skip (like what to do with the leftovers). Looking for regular menu prices instead? They’re on our Chipotle menu with prices page.

Heads up: chipotleprices.com isn’t Chipotle’s official site. Prices can be a bit different at your store, so double-check at checkout.

Why not just order Saturday?

You can. Sometimes. But think about who else is ordering that weekend: football watch parties, church lunches, a kid’s birthday, somebody’s retirement thing. Same few stores, same kitchen crew, and each store only cranks out so much catering per hour.

Friday gets you in before all that. And by Friday you usually know who’s actually coming, so you’re not ordering for “maybe 15, maybe 25.”

One catch. Feeding 50 or more? Friday’s too late for that. Big orders need 3 to 5 days, so get those in by Wednesday.

Burritos by the Box or the Build Your Own bar?

There are really only two ways to go, and your crowd decides it for you.

Burritos by the Box is the lazy-host option (I mean that kindly). Each burrito comes already wrapped. People grab one and eat. Perfect for a tailgate, a backyard thing, anywhere folks are eating with one hand and holding a drink in the other.

The Build Your Own bar is the crowd-pleaser. Trays of meat, rice, beans and toppings, and everybody makes whatever they want. Your uncle who “doesn’t do beans”? Covered. The kid who only eats rice and cheese? Also covered.

What it’ll cost you in 2026, before tax and delivery:

These numbers are from Waiter.com (August 2026) and ZeroCater (September 2026). Your store might be a dollar off here or there. Every single item is on our Chipotle catering menu page.

The bar comes with more than you’d think. Two kinds of rice, black and pinto beans, fajita veggies, salsas, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, tortillas. Plates, napkins, forks, serving spoons, even little ingredient labels. Guac and queso? Those cost extra (of course they do).

Not everyone wants a tortilla, and that’s fine. They can make a burrito bowl from the same trays. Low-carb folks, our Chipotle keto guide has you.

Something that confuses a lot of people: “double protein” doesn’t mean twice the meat. It just means you get two meats to choose from. Got a hungry crowd? Order a couple of extra servings instead.

The Friday-to-Sunday game plan

Three days, maybe 15 minutes

of real effort. That’s it.

Friday: get the order in

First, figure out how many people are coming. Count the kids on their own, because a 6-year-old isn’t eating a full burrito. A few kids can split one tray, or you can grab them something off the Chipotle kids menu.

Now go to catering.chipotle.com. Not the regular app (that one trips everybody up). Choose your store, set the date to Sunday, pick a time, then pick your format and meats.

Can you pick it up yourself? Do that. Pickup costs nothing. Delivery runs through outside drivers, usually $10 to $30 depending on how far you are, and then there’s the tip on top.

While you’re at it, throw in chips, dip and drinks. A chips tray feeds 10 to 15. You can see what’s available on our Chipotle drinks and Chipotle chips pages. Oh, and look for a Chipotle promo code before you hit pay. Takes ten seconds.

Saturday: one quick call

Call the store. Read them your order number and ask, “Are we still good for Sunday at noon?” Two minutes, tops.

Almost nobody does this, which is exactly why it’s worth doing. If something got lost, you find out Saturday instead of standing at the counter on Sunday with 20 hungry people waiting at home. Ask about changes or cancellations too, since every store handles that a little differently.

Sunday: show up a bit early

Aim for 10 or 15 minutes before your pickup time. And open the bags before you leave. Meat, tortillas, salsa, sour cream, forks. Check it all against the receipt. Driving back for a forgotten tray of rice is no fun.

Last Sunday tip: don’t book the very first slot after the store opens. The crew needs time to get the line going. Give it about an hour.

So how much food do you actually need?

This is the part people overthink. Here’s the easy version.

If Chipotle is the whole meal, one serving per adult. If there’s other food around (a cake, Aunt Linda’s potato salad, whatever), you can get away with 80 to 90% of your headcount. A catering serving is about the size of a normal in-store order.

Keep in mind that’s just the food. Add tax, delivery and a tip, and real orders tend to land around $15 to $20 a person, going by the customer totals Waiter.com collected. Curious about calories? Plug it into our Chipotle nutrition calculator.

And if it’s a game day, bump everything up a little. People don’t eat once during a football game. They wander back to the table every commercial break. Around 10% extra and one more chips tray should keep you from running dry by halftime.

Don’t let the food sit out all day

Not the fun part, I know. But a tray of carnitas sitting on the counter from noon to 6 is asking for trouble. The USDA rule is 2 hours for cooked food at room temperature. Only 1 hour if it’s over 90°F outside.

What works: put out half the meat and rice, leave the rest covered in the warming trays, and swap it in later. The cold stuff (sour cream, cheese, guac, salsa) is happier sitting on a tray of ice.

Leftovers go in the fridge within 2 hours. Shallow containers cool faster than one big tub. Reheat the rice and meat until they’re steaming hot (165°F if you’ve got a thermometer) and eat them within 3 or 4 days. Monday lunch, sorted. A leftover burrito bowl isn’t a bad way to start the week.

Got vegans, gluten-free friends or allergies at the table?

This is where the Build Your Own bar earns its money. Each tray has a label on it, so guests can see what’s inside without coming to find you.

Vegans can do sofritas or fajita veggies with rice, beans, salsa and guac. Gluten-free? Skip the flour tortilla, make a bowl, done. Our Chipotle gluten-free menu covers the details.

Real allergies are a different story. Chipotle kitchens share equipment, so take a look at the Chipotle allergen menu and the full ingredients list first. And the protein-and-low-carb crowd will find some good ideas in our Lifestyle Bowl guide.

Spending less without looking cheap

1. Pick it up. You skip $10 to $30 in delivery, plus the tip.
2. Chicken or sofritas over steak. About a dollar less per person. For 30 people, that’s $30 back in your pocket.
3. Under 10 people? Burritos by the Box starts at 6 and works out cheaper per head than the bar.
4. One guac tray is enough. Especially if chips and salsa are already on the table.
5. Don’t forget Rewards. Our Chipotle mobile app guide explains the points, and there’s your Chipotle birthday reward too.
6. Only 4 to 6 of you? Skip catering altogether. A regular order of bowls plus a large chips and guac is usually cheaper.

Quick answers

Can I order Chipotle catering for Sunday?

Sure can. Most stores take Sunday orders. Just get it in 24 hours ahead, which is why Friday’s the safe bet.

How far ahead do I have to order?

24 hours minimum. If it’s 50+ people, give the store 3 to 5 days.

What about ordering Saturday for Sunday?

It works only if your pickup is at least 24 hours away. Ordering Saturday night for Sunday lunch? Probably not happening.

What does it cost per person in 2026?

Roughly $9 to $13.50 for the food. Count on $15 to $20 once tax, delivery and tip are in.

Is there a minimum?

One box of 6 for burritos. Ten people for the Build Your Own bar.

Do they give you plates and forks?

They do. Plates, napkins, forks, serving spoons and labels all come in the bag.

Can I cancel or change it?

Depends on the store. Call as soon as you know, ideally the day before.

Is catering cheaper than just ordering bowls?

For 10 or more, usually yes, since sides and setup are included. For a small family, regular bowls tend to win.

Bottom line

Book it Friday. Call Saturday. Show up a little early Sunday. Then go enjoy the game

(or the family, or the nap afterwards).

Want to see every tray and side before you decide? It’s all on our Chipotle catering menu page.