Because it is known for serving fresh, customizable Mexican food, Chipotle is trying something new. Although the fast-casual company usually only serves a few meats and toppings, they have added a new limited-time item called the Chipotle Honey Chicken that looks and sounds delicious. Currently, 80 Chipotle restaurants in Nashville, Tennessee, and Sacramento, California are testing this sweet and hot addition.
Quite unusual for Chipotle
In chipotle doesn’t usually add new things to its menu every day. The company is known for focusing on quality over number and keeping its products straightforward.
Yet, Chipotle has launched a protein that is “unlike any of its proteins yet.” This is a rare but exciting development. We want to see how customers react to the limited test run so that if the feedback is good, we can consider rolling it out to more people.
What’s Awesome About Chipotle Honey Chicken?
Chipotle’s Honey Chicken is a “bold new take on hot honey.” Starting with chicken that has been simmered in smoked adobo peppers that have been seared. It is then seasoned with a mix of tasty Mexican spices and ended with a bit of honey.
Combining these two ingredients makes a unique sweet and spicy taste, which fits with the growing fame of “swicy” (sweet and spicy) tastes.
Chipotle’s Chief Brand Officer, Chris Brandt, recognized how popular these taste combinations are becoming and said, “We have had tremendous success with’swicy’ innovations and believe Chipotle Honey Chicken will capture fans with a whole new level of excitement.”
Why Try Latest Flavors?
Companies that own fast food restaurants often test out new things on a small group of customers before putting them on the menu for everyone. Chipotle’s Honey Chicken is no different. Companies can improve recipes and get useful feedback from customers using this strategy.
“Beyond consumer expectations and achieved the highest marks of any chicken innovation that Chipotle has sensory tested,” says Chipotle of the Honey Chicken. Based on this great feedback, the new protein choice should be a hit with Chipotle customers.
Chipotle’s History of Seasonal Deals
Although Chipotle usually has five main protein options—carnitas, chicken, steak, beef barbacoa, and plant-based sofritas—it has tried a few limited-time items here and there.
Popular dishes in the past have been Carne Asada, Chicken al Pastor, Pollo Asado, and plant-based Chorizo. All of these new elements made things better, and Chipotle Honey Chicken is about to do the same.
With the release of the Chipotle Honey Chicken, the company continues to show its dedication to new ideas. To reach its goal of adding two to three new items to its menu every year, Chipotle says it will use an organized “stage-gate” process to test the ideas and learn from comments from both customers and employees.
Using this method helps make sure that new menu items meet the high standards that Chipotle has for itself.
Future Plans for Chipotle?
Many new things have happened for Chipotle recently, including the release of Honey Chicken. It was revealed earlier this month that Brian Niccol, CEO of Chipotle, would be leaving his job on August 31 to become CEO of Starbucks. Changing heads is a big deal for the company, which has done very well under Niccol’s direction.
Shifting leadership isn’t the only thing Chipotle is doing to respond to customer comments about serving sizes. Following numerous complaints on social media, the business announced that some sites are retraining their staff to make sure that food is always made properly. Chipotle’s continued commitment to quality and customer happiness is shown by this step.
Forward-Looking
Fans can look forward to more exciting changes in the future as Chipotle continues to expand its menu and try new tastes. Through constant creativity, Chipotle is dedicated to keeping its food interesting and new.
It’s still unclear whether the Chipotle Honey Chicken will become a regular part of the menu, but for now, it’s a tantalizing taste of what Chipotle’s food will be like in the future.
The new Chipotle Honey Chicken is only available to customers in Nashville and Sacramento for now. Like-minded people at Chipotle might soon be able to get this sweet and spicy treat in their bowls and tacos if the good reviews keep coming in.
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