Fast Casual Chains—Chipotle, Cava, More—Sound Alarm On Drop-Off In Lower-Income Customers

Forbes ^ | 10/31/25 | Martina Castellanos,

[DallasBiff]

Younger consumers and households earning under $100,000 are cutting back on restaurant spending, Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright said this week, while noting a broader pullback across the industry, as shares of fast casual chains from Sweetgreen to Cava also continue to slide.

[packagingguy]

Sunday I went to my favorite diner after church, it’s been a while. Hash browns, bacon, two eggs and OJ was over $18.

I went there in part because it used to be relatively inexpensive.

Whole Foods hot bar is a lot less expensive than that.

[Tax-chick]

We have food at home. I told you to pack a lunch if you expected anything to eat before we got home.

[TexasGator]

“I was paid $18,500 a year as a new Engineer back in 1978.”

$16,500 for Nuclear Engineer in 1977.

I exited my PhD program in 1979 to do field work @ $26.5k plus per diem and travel.

[ClearCase_guy]

Wages in this country are being compressed

A lot of people don't seem to realize that. In many areas, a "starter home" can be close to a million dollars, and current wages for any hard-working typical person does not come close to being enough. The American Dream is available to a smaller and smaller percentage of people.

[metmom]

Somehow *lower income* and *under $100,000* does not compute.

[Tommy Revolts]

I ate at a Chipotle for lunch about 15 years ago. Never went back. Chipotle is nasty. I
don't know how anybody can eat that crap.

[al baby]

my wife loves her pod coffee in the morning if i want coffee i use that pod again its over 50 cents a pod i know im cheap

[Tommy Revolts]

I make far more and I don't eat out. But then again, I'm a very good cook.

Learn to cook.

[al baby]

I rent burritos

[Theoria]

Chipotle is going down the road of Quiznos.

[ridesthemiles]

I CAN MAKE YOU FRENCH TOAST WITH FRESH EGGS EVERY SUNDAY & IT WON’T COST YOU $60 A SUNDAY.

COFFEE/ SCRAMBLED EGGS, ALSO.

AND I HAVE REAL WISCONSIN MAPLE SYRUP....

[MinorityRepublican]

[T-Bird45]

Proud to say I’ve never darkened the door of a Chipotle but I can’t say that about Cava. Good flavor & spice plus some heat and their pita chips are great. As with most places, their best margin is on the drinks so I know I should choose water to keep the cost down. Tough to not choose iced tea (unsweetened), though.

[DAC21]

“The American Dream is available to a smaller and smaller percentage of people”

Not helped by foreigners with their 4-6 adults per home communal living pooling their income to buy middle class and up homes thus continuing to drive up prices.

Huge goings on in California and the Asian population.

[PAR35]

They are overpriced for what they deliver. For not much more, I can get someone to bring me my food.

And the ‘be your own waiter’ restaurants are fishing for 20% tips these days.

I was paying at one cash register, and the pre-loaded tip options were for 20% - 25% - 30% - other. In a restaurant with no waitstaff, only runners.

[PAR35]

Minimum for “middle class” here is $72,389 a year. Top of the middle class range is $217,188.

[Myrddin]

I lived in Mira Mesa (San Diego) from 1983 to 2001. I met the Vietnamese owner of the house across the street. He had a PhD in opto-electronics and the only place that offered him work was in Los Angeles. Over the years there were many renters. One "group" was 17 college age asian kids. Cars all over the place, destroyed front lawn. When they stopped paying rent, he sent an eviction notice. They moved out, but returned to break every window, bash holes in all of the drywall, put glass down the garbage grinder, plugged the master bathroom sink and turned the water on full to flood the house. The entire hit took just under 3 minutes. It was a very expensive repair to make it suitable to rent again.

My neighbor was more careful after that, but still had a few bad apples. I sold the house I purchased in 1983 for $105,000 for a gross of $243,000. Net after paying all debts and setting up for 6 months of apartment rental was $80k. The Zillow price for the property today is over $1 million.

[vivenne]

People on govt assistance make that much with all their benefits. In big cities it’s not a lot of money..

[Mr Rogers]

“How is it that taking in $100k is poverty?”

Dang it, I’m poor! And I didn’t know it...

[mythenjoseph]

I haven’t “bought” a cup of coffee hot or cold (iced) in over a decade . A good grinder and colombian beans is all you need to make some of the most flavorful and inexpensive coffee you will ever have . If any is left over I put it in a pitcher and make Iced coffee’s . The flavor is great and you save a fortune. As far as eating out is concerned I get disgusted at the prices they have set and I simply refuse to pay exorbitant prices when I can make it myself. The pleasure of once going out to dine is fading very very fast.