Chipotle's Trying Out Plant-Powered Sausages 🌱🥩
Chipotle's spinning the culinary wheels, crafting its own plant-based sausage blend without relying on Beyond Meat or Impossible, who recently inked meat-alternative deals with other fast-food joints. In the past, Chipotle served Sofritas (spiced tofu) and occasional real sausages.
Chipotle's plant-based risotto features an array of spices such as Ancho chilies and smoked paprika, combined with "natural protein from fresh chickpeas". As per a press release, the vegan sausage packs a whopping 20g of protein per serving.
To ensure the new meat-free marvel lives up to expectations, Chipotle employs a multi-tiered testing process before launching it nationwide. Several menu items, like Cauliflower, Carne Asada, and the most popular tacos, have been tested in select cities and later rolled out nationwide.
Chipotle's summer vibes remain strong, despitemarket menu prices ticking up by around 3.5%-4% to cover rising employee and ingredient wages. Q2 earnings skyrocketed 39% to $1.9 billion, and sales in restaurants open for at least 13 months shot up 31%.
In 2023, Chipotle shares (CMG) experienced an impressive 40% surge.
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Chipotle's foray into plant-based eats is far from a bet-the-farm gamble in the fast-food landscape. Given the success of plant-based options in initial testing, it's no surprise that the trend has caught on with various chains.
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Hidden Insights:
Many fast-food chains have embraced plant-based alternatives to meat, significantly impacting the fast-food industry. Notable examples include Burger King's Impossible Whopper, Taco Bell's vegetarian and vegan offerings, and Starbucks' Impossible Breakfast Sandwich. These meat-free alternatives cater to diverse dietary needs, address environmental concerns, and contribute to market growth. The plant-based food market is projected to reach $74.2 billion by 2027, driven largely by younger generations seeking health, ethical, and sustainable food choices.
