Dear Chipotle -- we get it (you're sorry) and we love you, but you are turning into the John Cusack of fast-casual restaurants and you have got to turn it down.
In a bid to win back the allegiance of its wary customers -- nobody wants to dine at an establishment that continuously gets flagged for food safety crises -- Chipotle has officially confirmed that it is launching a new burger restaurant called Tasty Made in Lancaster, Ohio, this autumn.
The new concept will feature a limited menu specializing in burgers, milkshakes, and fries which will be served in a fast-food format.
"Tasty Made will use Responsibly Raised brand beef (from animals that are raised in more humane ways and without the use of antibiotics or added hormones), shakes made with real ingredients including milk, cream, sugar, eggs and other natural ingredients, and fresh-made buns that are free of preservatives, dough conditioners and other artificial ingredients," reads the release, per Eater.
"Early fast food burger restaurants generally had focused menus," Chipotle founder Steve Ells said in the release. "We think there’s great strength in that original fast food model and wanted to create a restaurant built around that. Making only burgers, fries and shakes with really great ingredients, we think we can appeal to peoples’ timeless love of burgers, but in a way that is consistent with our long-term vision.”
Chipotle’s stock price has been on the decline for almost a year thanks to its many food scares, inviting skepticism over its whole “food with integrity” shtick. However, instead of focusing its efforts on revitalizing its core business, the burrito chain continues to diversify. Tasty Made is just the latest effort, joining ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen and Pizzeria Locale as another non-Chipotle brand.
Will you try the new Tasty Made burger?