• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Ex-PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi worked from midnight until 5 a.m. as a receptionist to pay for her Yale degree—and she says ‘respect went up’ because of it

2

Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI

3

Iran strikes 85 U.S. military sites in the Gulf, sparking a global selloff in stocks and a spike in the price of oil

1

Ex-PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi worked from midnight until 5 a.m. as a receptionist to pay for her Yale degree—and she says ‘respect went up’ because of it

2

Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI

3

Iran strikes 85 U.S. military sites in the Gulf, sparking a global selloff in stocks and a spike in the price of oil
Retail

Chipotle May Add a Dessert to Its Menu This Spring

By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
Down Arrow Button Icon
January 10, 2017, 4:16 PM ET
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. To Go Orders Ahead Of Earnings Figures
A customer enters a Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. restaurant in Peoria, Illinois, U.S., on Friday, April 22, 2016. Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. is expected to release earnings figures on April 26. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesPhotograph by Daniel Acker—Bloomberg via Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Chipotle could soon develop a sweet tooth.

The Mexican restaurant chain, largely known for selling burritos, tacos, and guacamole and chips, on Tuesday told investors during the ICR Conference that the company had been testing a dessert and could soon debut the new item on menus this spring after some final tweaks to the recipe. This would come after a few other recent menu innovations, including chorizo in 2016 and tofu just a few years before that.

“The dessert adds only one ingredient not already found in our restaurants,” said Chief marketing and development officer Mark Crumpacker during the presentation. “It is easy to prepare and is delicious.” He provided no hints as to what the dessert would be.

The addition of a dessert would be a rare menu addition for Chipotle (CMG), which has carved out a niche in the restaurant world by focusing on an uncomplicated conveyor belt-styled approach to food prep to ensure orders can be processed quickly. “Our business was built on doing just a few things, and doing them well,” said founder and CEO Steve Ells earlier in the ICR presentation.

That business model has faltered of late as Chipotle’s sales have struggled to rebound from a poorly handled and prolonged food-safety crisis that began in the fall of 2015. Chipotle sales have slipped for four straight quarters and earlier on Tuesday as it hasn’t yet fully won back the trust of customers that had previously been loyal to the chain. Earlier Tuesday, Chipotle warned that same-restaurant sales would decline again for the fourth quarter—the fifth consecutive decline.

Crumpacker cautioned that adding a dessert wouldn’t necessarily result in a massive sales jolt. “We don’t view new menu items as significant drivers of our business,” he explained. Chipotle seems determined to avoid the fast pace of innovation that is popular among fast-food restaurant chains, which churn out so-called limited-time offerings to create short-term buzz and inspire traffic. Chipotle and other fast-casual chains generally take a more methodical approach to new menu additions.

Still, it can be helpful when new menu items become a hit. Rival Shake Shack (SHAK), for example, earlier on Tuesday at the ICR conference said the company’s relatively new Chick’n Shack sandwich was a top-five seller and was a “game changer” as that chain aims to lure new customers.

About the Author
By John KellContributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence

John Kell is a contributing writer for Fortune and author of Fortune’s CIO Intelligence newsletter.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Retail

The Best Rowing Machines (2026): Trainer Tested and Approved
HealthDietary Supplements
The Best Rowing Machines (2026): Trainer Tested and Approved
By Christina SnyderJuly 8, 2026
2 hours ago
‘Even shaving one minute off an EMT trip for severe cases can generate huge economic benefits.’ Well, New York’s congestion pricing did just that
North AmericaNew York City
‘Even shaving one minute off an EMT trip for severe cases can generate huge economic benefits.’ Well, New York’s congestion pricing did just that
By Catherina GioinoJuly 8, 2026
3 hours ago
Jonathan Bensamoun (right) sits on a stool next to his German Shepherd
InnovationPet Tech
Exclusive: Fi is bringing Starlink satellite technology to dog collars
By Lily Mae LazarusJuly 8, 2026
4 hours ago
Fleek cofounders Sanket Agarwal and Abhi Arora pictured reclining on a pile of vintage clothing.
Startups & VentureVenture Capital
Exclusive: Fleek, an online marketplace connecting vintage clothing wholesalers and retailers, raises $25 million in new funding
By Jeremy KahnJuly 8, 2026
14 hours ago
Chinese tea chain’s $1.5 million trademark infringement loss to Louis Vuitton sparks fight over who owns a flower pattern
AsiaChina
Chinese tea chain’s $1.5 million trademark infringement loss to Louis Vuitton sparks fight over who owns a flower pattern
By The Associated Press and Chan Ho-HimJuly 7, 2026
1 day ago
Swimmer bitten in suspected shark attack at Jones Beach, prompting brief closure as the U.S. battles record-breaking heat
North AmericaNew York
Swimmer bitten in suspected shark attack at Jones Beach, prompting brief closure as the U.S. battles record-breaking heat
By The Associated PressJuly 7, 2026
1 day ago

Most Popular

Ex-PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi worked from midnight until 5 a.m. as a receptionist to pay for her Yale degree—and she says ‘respect went up’ because of it
Success
Ex-PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi worked from midnight until 5 a.m. as a receptionist to pay for her Yale degree—and she says ‘respect went up’ because of it
By Preston ForeJuly 6, 2026
2 days ago
Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI
AI
Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJuly 5, 2026
3 days ago
Iran strikes 85 U.S. military sites in the Gulf, sparking a global selloff in stocks and a spike in the price of oil
Newsletters
Iran strikes 85 U.S. military sites in the Gulf, sparking a global selloff in stocks and a spike in the price of oil
By Jim EdwardsJuly 8, 2026
11 hours ago
China’s birth rate just hit its lowest point since 1949—and Trip.com cofounder James Liang thinks that’s a threat to innovation
Asia
China’s birth rate just hit its lowest point since 1949—and Trip.com cofounder James Liang thinks that’s a threat to innovation
By Nicholas GordonJuly 7, 2026
2 days ago
Presidents aren't supposed to pick winners, former White House ethics lawyer says. Trump keeps choosing Dell
Politics
Presidents aren't supposed to pick winners, former White House ethics lawyer says. Trump keeps choosing Dell
By Mia OsmonbekovJuly 7, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of oil as of July 7, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of July 7, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 7, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.