Chipotle Tests New Queso Blanco In Three Markets

Chipotle utilizes its stage-gate process to pilot an all-new Queso Blanco recipe featuring two types of aged cheeses, and Serrano, Poblano and Chipotle peppers

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Chipotle Mexican Grill

Aug 08, 2019, 08:05 ET

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Aug. 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced today that it's testing a new Queso Blanco in 52 restaurants across Dallas, Detroit and San Diego for a limited time. The new Queso Blanco uses only real ingredients including aged Monterey Jack cheese, White Cheddar, and Serrano, Poblano, and Chipotle Peppers.

The all new Queso Blanco has a perfectly smooth texture and bold cheese flavor with a mild spicy heat and a smoky finish – perfect on the side with Chipotle's freshly fried chips or on top of any burrito bowl. Importantly, and to be consistent with all of Chipotle's food, the Queso Blanco has no artificial ingredients and no preservatives.

"Making delicious queso with real ingredients and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives is a tough project to take on," said Chef Nevielle Panthaky, Vice President of Culinary at Chipotle. "We listened to our guests and worked tirelessly in our kitchens to make an even better tasting queso. We are proud to have created a delicious recipe for Queso Blanco that uses only high quality, real ingredients that you can pronounce and find in your own kitchens at home."

This new menu addition is being tested via Chipotle's new "stage-gate process," which allows the company to test, learn, listen to customer feedback, and iterate extensively before deciding on a national launch. Initial customer reviews show positive responses as seen in fan tweets and an increase in Queso Blanco sales across all test markets after the first week.

@TorasHill said, "Chipotle's new queso is fire."
@EichelGDavis noted, "Attention. Public Service Announcement. @ChipotleTweets has Queso Blanco and the game has changed."

ABOUT CHIPOTLE
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle had over 2,500 restaurants as of June 30, 2019, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants. With more than 80,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. Steve Ells, founder and Executive Chairman, first opened Chipotle with a single restaurant in Denver, Colorado in 1993. For more information or to place an order online, visit WWW.CHIPOTLE.COM.

SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill