Chipotle offers meatless chorizo for a limited time

This is the first item without meat since 2014 when the chain introduced tofu-based sofritas.

This food item was tested in Denver, Indianapolis and has 16 grams of protein per portion.

This article explains.

Chipotle Mexican Grill will launch 2022 with a new menu item, meatless chorizo.

Since 2014, when it introduced tofu-based sofritas, plant-based chorizo has been the company's first meatless option.

For a limited time, customers can add this option starting Monday. The plant-based Chorizo is made from pea protein, chipotle chilis, tomato paste and garlic. It also includes Spanish smoked paprika, olive oil, garlic, tomato paste, and Spanish smoked paprika.

This vegan option contains 16g of protein per serving. Chipotle tested plant-based Chorizo in Denver, Indianapolis and other cities in August.

Brian Niccol, the CEO of Yum Brands' Taco Bell has made it easier to add new menu items to the chain's menu through "stage-gate test." He was previously the Taco Bell's CEO.

So far, the burrito chain hasn’t had the best luck selling chorizo. The company offered the food item for the first time in 2016, but it discontinued it after determining that chorizo accounted only for 3% of all protein sales. In late 2018, it relaunched this limited-time deal.

Chipotle claimed that the plant-based Chorizo received strong customer reviews during testing. It is being promoted as an option to Whole30 meal options, vegan and vegetarian bowls that target certain diets. Lifestyle bowls can only be ordered through the company's app or website.

Chipotle shares rose 26% in 2021, bringing its market value up to $49.4 million. Despite the declines in the restaurant industry due to the pandemic, strong digital sales growth and a few limited-time menu items helped the stock rise.

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