Sponsored By

Chipotle Mexican Grill's answer to pandemic junk food diet: 5 new lifestyle bowlsChipotle Mexican Grill's answer to pandemic junk food diet: 5 new lifestyle bowls

The bowls, which range in price from $9.50 to $12.10, are inspired by wellness experts and are available through Chipotle’s digital ordering channels.

Nancy Luna, Senior editor, Nation's Restaurant News

April 28, 2020

2 Min Read
NewLifestyleCovid10Bowls
In Southern California, Chipotle's new custom wellness bowls range in price from $9.50 and $12.10 on the brand's app.Images: Chipotle Mexican Grill

Noting a trend where consumers are eating more junk food as they shelter at home, Chipotle Mexican Grill has developed a new line of Lifestyle Bowls as an antidote to anyone looking to break their current unhealthy pandemic diet.

The five bowls are inspired by wellness experts and available for a limited time through Chipotle’s digital ordering channels. The Newport Beach, Calif.-based fast casual chain, which has logged record digital sales during the coronavirus pandemic, created the new line of bowls after reviewing results of a survey about consumer eating habits.

Cody-Rigsby-Salad.jpgThe joint study, conducted by the chain and YouGov, found that 35% of Americans surveyed are struggling to maintain healthy lifestyles amid stay-at-home mandates. Four in 10 are not maintaining a regular workout schedule, and 36% are turning to eating processed foods or junk food during this time of home isolation, the company said Tuesday.

A majority, or 67%, of participants are also avoiding the grocery store.

That prompted Chipotle to create a line of healthy bowls that are the “go to” orders of top wellness experts including professional basketball trainer Chris Brickley, cycling instructor Cody Rigsby, nutrition expert Dr. Mark Hyman and fitness athletes Tia-Clair Toomey and Mat Fraser.

The bowls are in addition to Chipotle's Lifestyle Bowls, entrees that are customized to meet specific diets such as keto and Whole30. In Southern California, bowl prices listed on the company's branded app range from $9.50 to $12.10. 

The Cody Rigsby Salad, for example, contains supergreens lettuce, light brown rice, double chicken, fajita veggies, fresh tomato salsa, tomatillo-green chili salsa and guacamole. Go to the Chipotle app to learn more. It is listed as $12.10 on the app.

“Our fully customizable menu featuring only real ingredients is an ally for consumers looking to reignite their commitment to a healthier lifestyle,” Chris Brandt, Chief Marketing Officer, said in a statement. “While we have existing Lifestyle Bowls for specific diets, we're encouraging our fans to eat healthy their way with new menu options inspired by orders from some of our most influential fans in the fitness world.”

Chipotle is offering free delivery for orders of $10 or more placed on its digital channels through April 30. 

For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.

Learn lessons in leadership during a crisis from our panel of experts on Friday, May 1.

Contact Nancy Luna at [email protected] 

Follow her on Twitter: @fastfoodmaven

About the Author

Nancy Luna

Senior editor, Nation's Restaurant News

Nancy Luna is a senior editor at Nation's Restaurant News and a contributing editor at Supermarket News. She covers the industry's largest and most talked about fast-food brands including McDonald's, Starbucks, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Subway. She is an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years reporting experience. As a veteran business reporter based in Southern California, Nancy has covered some of the country's most beloved food and retail brands including In-N-Out, Taco Bell, Trader Joe's, Aldi, Whole Foods Market, Target and Costco. Luna is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton. When she's not digging for news on her beat, you can find Nancy regaling her fans about her latest dining adventures on her Fast Food Maven social media channels. Contact [email protected]  or follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/fastfoodmaven

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.