Robinhood Expands Sports Event Contracts With Player Performance Wagers 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Nomura Expands Alternative Assets Strategy With Focus on Private Debt Acquisitions 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
SpaceX Begins IPO Preparations as Wall Street Banks Line Up for Advisory Roles 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Biren Technology Targets Hong Kong IPO to Raise $300 Million Amid China’s AI Chip Push 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
FDA Says No Black Box Warning Planned for COVID-19 Vaccines Despite Safety Debate 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
SUPERFORTUNE Launches AI-Powered Mobile App, Expanding Beyond Web3 Into $392 Billion Metaphysics Market 
Treasury Wine Estates Shares Plunge on Earnings Warning Amid U.S. and China Weakness 
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.
