COLUMBUS Ohio Chipotle is joining other chains in handing out free food to cash-strapped customers with a burrito giveaway today in the Columbus area.
The chain is offering free burritos, burrito bowls and tacos from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 30 Columbus-area stores. Chipotle told The Columbus Dispatch that it expects to hand out more than 10,000 free burritos today.
Officials from the Denver-based Chipotle said the giveaway was the company's way of helping its customers during a time of record-high gas prices.
Aspokesman for Chipotle told Nation's Restaurant News that the chain has no immediate plans to repeat the promotion in other markets.
"We will see how it works in Columbus and if there are other places where a similar event might be well received," said spokesman Chris Arnold.
Chipotle, which operates more than 730 restaurants, is the latest chain in recent weeks to hand out freebies to customers. Tomorrow, Jack in the Box will give two free tacos to guests in exchange for a gasoline receipt.