Everyone’s buzzing about Taco Bell’s efforts to counter
Chipotle Mexican Grill with a premium menu. Much more interesting is the
struggle taking shape between Chipotle and the upstart Veggie Grill chain for
the attention of vegetarians and vegans.
In the process, the would-be combatants are moving
fast-casual menus in a decidedly progressive direction.
Today Chipotle announced that it’s begun a sales test of a
tofu-based new entrée called Sofritas in seven San Francisco units. The new
choice also marks a noble effort in the fast-casual effort to feature locally
sourced ingredients. The organic, GMO-free tofu is supplied by Hodo Soy, a
company located across the Bay in Oakland.
“Sofritas
is a very different menu item not just for Chipotle, but for any fast food or
fast causal restaurant,” founder and co-CEO Steve Ells in trumpeting a rare
product introduction for the New Age chain. “It was really conceived with
vegetarians and vegans in mind, but it’s so delicious that we believe it will
have a broad appeal on taste alone.”
The
flavor comes in part from undisclosed spices and roasted poblanos that are
mixed with the tofu. The end result is a meat alternative that can be spec’d
for burritos, bowls, tacos or salads.
About
half a day earlier, Reuters reported that the 16-unit Veggie Grill chain had
secured $20 million in additional growth capital from current and new
investors. Those backers include Brentwood Associates, a private equity firm
that’s no stranger to the restaurant industry (it also holds a stake in Zoe’s
Kitchen.)
One
of Veggie’s points of difference is a plant-based meat alternative that fans
swear could rival burgers or chicken in its mainstream appeal.
It’s
purely a coincidence, I’m sure, that all 16 of Veggie’s current units are
located on the West Coast, or the same general region where Chipotle is testing
its meat alternative.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment