Chipotle’s Friday the 13th promotion: Here's how your tattoo can get you a BOGO deal

Chipotle’s Friday the 13th deal: Friday the 13th is often linked with superstition, but this year it’s also bringing a special food deal for Chipotle fans. The restaurant chain is offering a limited-time promotion tied to tattoos and internet culture.

Whether your tattoo is permanent, temporary or simply drawn with a marker, it could unlock a free entrée. The promotion blends the brand’s well-known takeout bag artwork with the popular online phrase “tatted like a Chipotle bag.”

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Why is Chipotle linking tattoos with Friday the 13th?

Chipotle’s latest promotion draws inspiration from a long-standing tradition tied to Friday the 13th.

On that day, many tattoo shops offer discounts, encouraging customers to get inked. Over time, the idea has become a popular part of the date’s culture, as per a report by USA Today.

Chipotle has leaned into that theme by connecting it to an internet meme often shared by fans of the brand. The phrase “tatted like a Chipotle bag” refers to the artwork printed on Chipotle’s takeout bags, which feature small illustrated icons that resemble tattoo designs.

Stephanie Perdue, Chipotle’s interim chief marketing officer, said the meme eventually turned into something bigger, as per a report by USA Today.

"What started as an internet meme became a real-world expression of fandom for our brand," Perdue said in a news release.

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How can customers get the Chipotle BOGO tattoo deal?

The offer is available for a short window on March 13. Customers who dine in at Chipotle between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. local time can receive a buy-one-get-one entrée deal if they show a tattoo.

Importantly, the tattoo does not have to be permanent. Temporary tattoos or even a design drawn directly on the skin can qualify for the offer, as per a report by USA Today.

According to the company, restaurant staff will determine whether a tattoo meets the requirements.

There are also limits on how many free items can be redeemed.

The BOGO promotion allows up to five free menu items per check. However, each free entrée must be paired with a purchased entrée of equal or greater value.

In addition, every free item must correspond to a person with a tattoo. For example, a group claiming five free items would need five individuals, each showing a tattoo.

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What role does Swae Lee play in the Chipotle Friday the 13th deal?

This year’s Friday the 13th promotion also includes a partnership with rapper Swae Lee. The singer, known for being part of the rap duo Rae Sremmurd, helped design a special sheet of temporary tattoos inspired by the artwork found on Chipotle’s takeout bags. Chipotle leaders say the partnership highlights the brand’s relationship with tattoo culture and its fans.

"Bringing this promotion back for Friday the 13th further establishes our connection with the tattoo community, and partnering with Swae Lee allows us to spotlight his authentic passion for the brand and give our fans something extra to commemorate the moment together," Perdue said.

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These temporary tattoos will be distributed for free on March 13 at the Chipotle restaurant in Midtown Miami.

Swae Lee said the idea connects with personal creativity.

"'Tatted like a Chipotle bag' is really about self-expression," Swae Lee said in a statement. "It was cool to bring it into the real world and create designs that actually feel like me."

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FAQs

Do you need a real tattoo for the Chipotle deal?

No. Temporary tattoos or even drawn-on designs can qualify for the promotion.



When is the Chipotle Friday the 13th BOGO offer?

The deal runs on March 13 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. local time for dine-in customers.