As millions of people around the globe have become infected with Covid-19— with more severe symptoms being noted among the at-risk demographics, an increasing number of consumers have begun treating the pandemic as a catalyst for healthier eating. As a result, fast food restaurants have started incorporating diet-friendly menu options, many of which cater to those that have cut grains from their diets.
The push towards healthier eating amid the pandemic has spurred the momentum towards trendy diets such as keto, paleo, and Whole 30, many of which rely on the reduction or complete elimination of grains. The rising popularity of these diets have caused consumers to not only re-evaluate their grocery shopping lists, but also their fast food habits. As a result, popular fast-food restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill on Monday announced it will begin offering a cauliflower rice option on its menu, in a bid to meet the growing demand for low-carb alternatives.
The rice substitute is deemed to be compatible with numerous low-carb diets, and is comprised of grilled cauliflower, cilantro, lime, and salt. The menu option will be available in restaurants both in the US and Canada, and its upgrade from traditional rice will cost an additional $2. Chipotle began testing the alternative rice at several locations in the US back in July, noting that one-third of new menu requests among customers was for cauliflower rice.
Chipotle’s shares have skyrocketed by 65% in 2020, largely due to the company’s robust digital growth and soaring same-store sales, even amidst the pandemic. The fast-food company’s market cap is currently nearly $37 billion.
Information for this briefing was found via Chipotle. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
