Customer Calls Out Chipotle After They Pull ‘Police Comps’ at New York Location

One angry customer isn't holding back after seeing that Chipotle Mexican Grill will no longer be participating in "police comps" at a restaurant in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Some businesses in the Hudson Valley and across New York State do whatever they can to show their appreciation for law enforcement by offering members discounts or comps on various items. Most times they will come in the form of discounted food and drinks.

Police Discounts in New York

Fast food restaurants and convenience stores are the most common places that offer police discounts or police comps with many offering a percentage off the law enforcement member's bill when they check out. Various Wendy's locations offer something off, as well as Chick-fil-A and Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Chipotle Police Comps

For as long as I can remember I've always heard that many Chipotle restaurants offer a 50% discount to members of law enforcement that dine at any of its restaurants. The discount isn't promoted on the Chipotle website but the restaurant in Poughkeepsie, NY was offering some sort of "comp" for a while because according to a customer, they have "plastered signs" all over the restaurant stating they are no longer offering it.

Poughkeepsie Chipotle End Police Comps

As you can see in the picture of the sign below, the Chipotle Mexican Grill located in the Hudson Heritage Plaza at Winslow Gate off of Route 9 in Poughkeepsie, NY will no longer offer a law enforcement discount saying, "We are not doing anymore POLICE COMPS! Sorry for the inconvenience".

The picture was taken and shared with us by Jennifer Burke-Chapman, who posted it on her Facebook page saying,

"Bye Bye Chipotle! Chipotle Mexican Grill ✌🏻(Not that my losing my families business will hurt them financially but whatever! Hopefully others will decide to not patronize them too!) Lost me & my family as customers. The multiple signs stating this are also a bit overkill! Feel free to share! This is at the Poughkeepsie NY Location near Marist College, in the new Vails Gate ShopRite Plaza."

 

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We spoke with Chapman about the post and she told us that she and her family went for lunch this week when her 16-year-old daughter pointed the sign-out and "got VERY upset and offended". Chapman then said she pointed to the sign asking a cashier why they had stopped the program and the employee "rolled her eyes at me and walked away!"

Chapman went on to tell us that she not only works for the Dutchess County Government in a branch of law enforcement, but she's also a daughter and mother of a military veteran and has a daughter-in-law currently in the police academy.

"I’m disgusted by this! This is offensive and to dig the dagger deeper, it was posted in numerous spots to really push it" said Chapman.

What Does Chipotle Have to Say?

We have reached out to Chipotle through the contact page on its website to ask why they have ended the police comps at the Poughkeepsie location but haven't gotten a response yet. When we do we will update this article.

UPDATE! Chipotle Responds

Here is the response from Angelica, a customer care representative from Chipotle Mexican Grill said,

"Thank you for reaching out! When we opened, we did offer a discount for local police officers. This is the only group that’s been specifically called out in our cash handling policy as recipients of the discount. Word of this discount quickly spread and Chipotle became a popular destination for many police officers. Some restaurants even began offering the discount to other deserving groups, like members of the military, first responders, and firefighters. However, there are many deserving groups out there, and we came to the conclusion that it is not fair to offer a discount to one group, but not another. As a company, we decided to shy away from these discounts and instead focus on philanthropic activities to give back to the community. We have left it to the discretion of our restaurants to decide if they would like to implement a service discount. No matter what the restaurant chooses, their decision should be communicated to you with respect. Just ask your local Chipotle to find out for sure. Have a burrito-full day!