Qdoba is taking another swipe at Mexican fast-casual rival Chipotle, rolling out a new cheese-loaded menu item aimed squarely at dip lovers.
The chain is leaning into autumn with a seasonal promotion it has dubbed “Diptember,” a campaign built around Qdoba’s lineup of sauces, salsas and crowd-pleasing dips.
Leading the push is Queso Fundido, a limited-time offering that blends Qdoba’s signature three-cheese queso with seasoned ground beef, Picante Ranch and a finishing touch of fresh cilantro.
The new dip is served with Qdoba tortilla chips, fried in-house and seasoned with salt and lime juice, with prices starting at $6.25.
For customers looking for a deal, the bigger incentive arrives later this month. On September 16, National Guacamole Day, Qdoba guests can score a free regular chips and guacamole with the purchase of a regular-sized entree by using the code GUACDAY.
On September 20, National Queso Day, diners can score a free regular serving of chips and queso when they buy a regular-sized entree and use the code QUESODAY.
The offers are available through Qdoba’s website and in participating restaurants, although they cannot be redeemed through third-party delivery services.
Qdoba’s Diptember promotion runs from September 1 through November 2 at participating locations across the country, with the chain boasting 14 dips, sauces and salsas for customers to mix and match.
Chipotle rival Qdoba has declared fall the season of dipping with its new ‘Diptember’ promotion, putting a spotlight on an expanded range of sauces, salsas and dips
And there is even something for diners with a sweet tooth – Qdoba has introduced its first-ever sweet dip, Churro Chips Chocolate Dip, designed to be paired with its recently launched Churro Chips.
The crunchy, Mexican-inspired dessert chips are fried in-house and coated with classic churro flavor, while the chocolate dip adds a richer finish to the meal.
The chain says its dips can be added to create-your-own entrees at no additional charge, although additional portions may cost extra.
The promotion comes as sauces and dips become an increasingly important part of the restaurant experience – particularly among younger diners. Technomic data cited by Qdoba shows that 34 percent of consumers now consider which sauces are available when choosing a restaurant.
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Datassential has also found that 60 percent of consumers, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, say they look forward to a signature sauce, condiment or dressing when eating out.
That growing appetite for sauces has not gone unnoticed by Qdoba’s biggest fast-casual Mexican rivals.
Chipotle, which has long been known for letting customers customize burritos, bowls, tacos and salads with its range of salsas and toppings, has also been expanding its sauce offering.
Its lineup includes staples such as Fresh Tomato Salsa, Tomatillo-Green Chili Salsa, Tomatillo-Red Chili Salsa and Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa, as well as Queso Blanco, sour cream and guacamole.
At the center of Qdoba’s campaign is Queso Fundido, a new limited-time dip made with Qdoba’s signature three-cheese queso, seasoned ground beef, Picante Ranch and cilantro
With 870 locations across 46 US states as well as Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan and South Korea, Qdoba is betting that diners’ growing obsession with sauces can help it stand out in an increasingly crowded Mexican fast-food market
More recently, Chipotle introduced newer sauce options including Cilantro Lime Sauce and Adobo Ranch.
Adobo Ranch was particularly notable because it was Chipotle’s first new dip in five years when it launched, following the arrival of Queso Blanco in 2020. Now, Qdoba is making its own sauce selection a selling point.
‘Customization is at the heart of the Qdobaexperience,’ said Chef Katy Velazquez, vice president of Culinary Innovation at Qdoba.
‘With 14 dips, salsas, and sauces available across our menu, guests can create a different flavor experience every time they visit.’
The new Queso Fundido is available as a side, a meal add-on or as part of Qdoba catering, while the Churro Chips Chocolate Dip starts at $2.75 and is available for a limited time.
With 870 locations across 46 US states as well as Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan and South Korea, Qdoba is betting that diners’ growing obsession with sauces can help it stand out in an increasingly crowded Mexican fast-food market.