Chipotle tries cheaper booze

Struggling burrito chain Chipotle is aiming to lure back customers with happy hour deals, including half-off alcoholic beverages and 2-for-1 margaritas and beers for a limited time.

The specials are in select markets, vary regionally and are only available from 4 to 8 p.m. in August and September.

The specials are limited to one offer per person per day, the company said on its website.

Chipotle has boosted its marketing efforts after an E. coli outbreak and norovirus cases linked to its restaurants last year. The Denver-based company has given away coupons for free burritos, but that doesn’t seem to be working — same-store sales were down 24 percent in the most recent quarter.