China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Once Upon a Farm Raises Nearly $198 Million in IPO, Valued at Over $724 Million 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Anthropic Eyes $350 Billion Valuation as AI Funding and Share Sale Accelerate 
Uber Ordered to Pay $8.5 Million in Bellwether Sexual Assault Lawsuit 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Nintendo Shares Slide After Earnings Miss Raises Switch 2 Margin Concerns 
OpenAI Expands Enterprise AI Strategy With Major Hiring Push Ahead of New Business Offering 
CK Hutchison Launches Arbitration After Panama Court Revokes Canal Port Licences 
Nvidia Nears $20 Billion OpenAI Investment as AI Funding Race Intensifies 
Rio Tinto Shares Hit Record High After Ending Glencore Merger Talks 
Nasdaq Proposes Fast-Track Rule to Accelerate Index Inclusion for Major New Listings 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Chipotle Mexican Grill starts off the new year with the introduction of a new plant-based item. The restaurant chain unveiled its "meatless" chorizo that customers can now find on the menu.
According to CNBC, Chipotle's plant-based chorizo is the very first vegan option that it has launched since 2014 when it released sofritas. Customers can place orders for food items with the restaurant's new chorizo starting Monday, Jan. 3. This is available in all of Chipotle's locations across the United States.
The new "meatless" option is certified vegan and it was made with pea protein, tomato paste, Spanish smoked paprika, garlic, chipotle peppers, and healthy olive oil. Every 4-ounce serving of the Chipotle plant-Based Chorizo has 16 grams of protein and they do not have gluten, preservatives, grains, artificial flavors, and artificial colors. Prior to its release, Chipotle tested this plant-based chorizo in August and they were sold in Indianapolis and Denver at that time.
In any case, it was noted that since Brian Niccol took over Chipotle as chief executive officer, the company stepped up its game by adding foods to the menu. The process of adding new items were said to have been called the "Stage-gate testing."
It was observed that Chipotle's new food releases have all been strategic to drive customer traffic. For instance, it has offered the new menu but for a limited time only thus people are rushing to the stores to buy them before they are gone. Also, the foods are being offered for a short time only so keep them always fresh and people will not get tired of them.
"We are thrilled to introduce guests to our new, flavor-packed Plant-Based Chorizo during a season when healthier options are top of mind," Chipotle's chief marketing officer, Chris Brandt, said in a press release. "Plant-Based Chorizo is our best chorizo ever and proves that you don't have to sacrifice flavor to enjoy a vegan or vegetarian protein."
Meanwhile, as shared on USA Today, customers can order the following items with the plant-based chorizo through Chipotle's website and app: Whole30 Salad Bowl, Vegetarian Bowl, and the Vegan Bowl. All of these are part of Chipotle's new lifestyle bowls menu list.
