Hollis Johnson
Chipotle's New York City test kitchen
- Chipotle added quinoa to the menu at its New York City test kitchen.
- The trendy grain is just one of the many new menu items that Chipotle has tested in the last year, including queso, which was later added to menus across the US.
- The chain is entering a new era, with Taco Bell's CEO taking over as top executive - a position long held by Chipotle's founder.
Chipotle is adding a trendy new item to the menu at its test kitchen.
On Monday, the struggling burrito chain began serving quinoa at its New York City test kitchen.
"The quinoa is made with red and gold quinoa tossed with a little citrus juice, cumin and freshly chopped cilantro," Chipotle representative Chris Arnold said in an email to Business Insider. "We are recommending that added to a salad, or in place of rice in another entrée."
Flickr/SweetonVeg
Quinoa
Chipotle has long avoided adding more items to the menu, as its simple style of assembly-line food preparation has been crucial to its success.
However, Chipotle's resistance to change has begun to crumble.
In July 2017, Chipotle debuted a New York City test kitchen that is open to the public. Chipotle kicked off the location's launch by serving queso at the restaurant.
Chipotle rolled out the cheesy dip across the US in September. While critics slammed Chipotle's queso, the company reported in February that the new menu item had led to a 2% increase in customers' average check.
Chipotle hinted that more new menu items might be in the works earlier in February. Founder and CEO Steve Ells said in a call with investors that the company is considering "salads with different kinds of grains," as well as "traditional things" like nachos and quesadillas.
The chain's incoming CEO will also serve as a crucial player in Chipotle's new plan to add more new menu items.
Earlier in February, Chipotle announced that Taco Bell CEO Brian Niccol will be taking over as the chain's top executive in early March. While Chipotle has long attempted to keep its menu extremely simplistic, Taco Bell has found success by constantly rolling out new limited-time offerings, such as nacho fries and the Naked Chicken Chalupa.
Not every item that Chipotle serves in its test kitchen rolls out across the country. For example, Chipotle has been serving nachos in the test kitchen for months - but hasn't yet indicated any plans to roll out the dish to more locations.
However, the new menu item proves that Chipotle is not finished experimenting with new dishes. And, with a trendy health-conscious choice like quinoa, the chain demonstrates that adding new dishes doesn't mean it needs to ditch its obsession with quality, all-natural ingredients as it adjusts its menu strategy.
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