Chipotle goes it alone on faux meat

Article Excerpt

CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, $1,467.68, is a buy. The chain (New York symbol CMG; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (www.chipotle.com; Shares o/s: 28.1 million; Market cap: $41.6 billion; No divd.) is now selling its own plant-based chorizo (pork sausage) U.S.-wide after a trial run last year. Chipotle has in fact decided against following the lead of other restaurant companies, which chose to partner with plant-based meat makers. Instead, Chipotle feels meat substitutes from Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat contain too many unhealthy ingredients. Its own meat alternative—created in-house and made with pea protein, olive oil and spices—will be sold in all of the company’s U.S. restaurants for a limited time. Chipotle Mexican Grill is a buy. buy…