Introduction
Chipotle Mexican Grill, one of the most popular Mexican chains in the United States, had a disappointing 2021. Despite the chain’s success in 2020, the pandemic has caused a decrease in sales and customer visits. This article will discuss the reasons behind Chipotle’s disappointing 2021 and what the chain can do to turn things around. We will also look at some of the other Mexican chains that have seen success in 2021 and what they are doing differently. Finally, we will provide some tips on how to make the most of your Chipotle experience.
This Popular Mexican Chain Had a “Disappointing” 2021 — Eat This Not That
Taco Bell, the popular Mexican-style fast food chain, had a “disappointing” 2021, according to a recent report from the Wall Street Journal. The chain’s sales were down 4.8% in the first quarter of 2021, compared to the same period last year.
The decline in sales was attributed to a number of factors, including the closure of many of its locations due to the pandemic, as well as the fact that many of its customers are younger and have been hit harder by the economic downturn.
Taco Bell has been trying to make up for the lost sales by introducing new menu items, such as its “Power Menu” and “Cantina” lines, as well as offering discounts and promotions. However, these efforts have not been enough to offset the losses.
If you’re looking for a Mexican-style fast food option, there are plenty of other options out there. Here are some of our favorites:
- Chipotle: Chipotle is a popular Mexican-style fast food chain that offers burritos, tacos, bowls, and salads. The chain is known for its fresh ingredients and customizable options.
- Qdoba: Qdoba is another popular Mexican-style fast food chain that offers burritos, tacos, nachos, and salads. The chain is known for its flavorful ingredients and creative menu items.
- Taco Cabana: Taco Cabana is a Texas-based Mexican-style fast food chain that offers tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and more. The chain is known for its fresh ingredients and authentic flavors.
So, if you’re looking for a Mexican-style fast food option, there are plenty of other options out there. Give one of these chains a try and you won’t be disappointed!
The popular fast-casual Mexican chain El Pollo Loco has made a strong post-pandemic comeback. As of this February, the chain’s sales grew by 7.4% compared to the same time last year, according to QSR Magazine. However, the brand has been underperforming in one entirely different but crucial area: expansion.
Last March, El Pollo Loco announced major plans for growth, with a focus on tapping into markets in Colorado, New Mexico, parts of Texas, and its home base of California. Within the next five years, the goal is to open 140 restaurants in the Western United States. But despite making deals with restaurant operators TWS Restaurant Corporation, LMU investments, and Pikes Pollo, the L.A.-Mex chain is not meeting its development goals. Since unveiling its initial expansion plans, El Pollo Loco has only signed on to launch 17 new locations.
For more fast-food news, check out the 8 Fast-Food Burgers to Stay Away From Right Now.
“Clearly, our message is not getting out there as effectively as we would like,” Larry Roberts, El Pollo Loco’s CEO, said during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call.
Currently, the chain operates some 480 locations across Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Louisiana.
In an effort to better capture quality franchisees, El Pollo Loco will have senior management involved in the early stages of the recruiting process, launch a new franchising website, and realign the brand’s messaging by further embracing its L.A.-Mex culture to attract younger consumers.
Beyond the shift in El Pollo Loco’s franchising strategy, the chain is also focusing on streamlining other restaurant operations. To accelerate the cooking process, employees will use stemless serrano peppers and pre-cut cilantro, while the company is currently testing a new machine that will reduce the amount of time it takes to make salsa. El Pollo Loco will also be testing a simplified menu later in 2022 to maximize order accuracy and service speed.
“So there’s a lot of work going on to see how we might improve our margins across the board,” Roberts said. “So at the same time, what we want to be really, really careful about is, don’t do anything to jeopardize the quality of the food.”
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