Chipotle Mexican Grill is starting off 2022 with a new menu item: meatless chorizo.
Plant-based chorizo is the organization’s first new meatless protein option since it added tofu-based sofritas in 2014.
Beginning Monday, clients cross country can add the option for a limited time. The plant-based chorizo is made with pea protein, chipotle peppers, tomato paste, garlic, Spanish smoked paprika and olive oil.
The option is certified vegan and contains 16 grams of protein per serving. Chipotle tested plant-based chorizo in Denver and Indianapolis in August.
Under CEO Brian Niccol, who previously led Yum Brands’ Taco Bell, the organization has sped up adding new menu items through a process called “stage-gate testing.” The chain has been vital with new releases, making a considerable lot of them limited-time options to drive customer traffic to its restaurants and to hold the menu back from becoming bloated.
The burrito chain hasn’t had the best luck with chorizo up until this point. It started offering the food item in 2016 yet pulled it for queso, saying at the time that chorizo just represented 3% of protein sales. It relaunched the meat as a limited-time offer in late 2018.
Yet, Chipotle said the plant-based chorizo procured strong reviews from clients during its testing. It is being promoted as an addition to the Whole30 meal option, vegan and vegetarian bowls, which target buyers who cling to specific diets. The lifestyle bowls are simply accessible to arrange through the organization application and site.
Shares of Chipotle climbed 26% in 2021, raising its market value to $49.4 billion. Solid digital sales growth and a small bunch of limited-time menu items, notwithstanding the more extensive eatery industry’s difficulties because of the pandemic.
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