Latest news with #MaeveWebster
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chipotle is releasing its first new dip in five years
Chipotle (CMG) is tapping into America's seemingly never-ending obsession with ranch dressing. Beginning June 17, the chain is permanently adding Adobo Ranch to its menu. The dip, a variation on classic ranch, is seasoned with adobo pepper, sour cream and other herbs and spices that Chipotle says will give its food a 'craveable kick,' the company announced Monday. The addition of Adobo Ranch is the first time Chipotle has added a new dip in five years. In 2020, the chain rolled out a reformulated queso, which immediately boosted sales. The company is likely hoping for the same success as it deals with a slowdown in consumer spending. Sales fell during the first three months of the year, which Chipotle says is due to customers cutting back restaurant visits over concerns about the economy, echoing other chains' concerns. Chipotle (CMG) shares are down 12% for the year. Ranch, in particular, is popular among younger eaters and has increasingly appeared on more menus in recent years. Taco Bell added a spicy ranch created with Hidden Valley to accompany its crispy chicken nuggets, KFC features five ranch flavors at its new Saucy concept restaurant and Burger King once offered an 8-ounce ranch dipping cup. Chipotle acknowledges that ranch has 'become a cultural phenomenon, especially among Gen Z, who are finding creative ways to enjoy it beyond the traditional salad,' Chris Brand, the company's president and chief brand officer, said in a press release. Ranch also is well-known to consumers, giving them 'permission to experiment,' according to Maeve Webster, president of consulting firm Menu Matters. She adds that it's a sauce everyone is familiar with so 'that fear of wasting money, wasting time, or just generally not enjoying an experience will be mitigated.' Adobo Ranch will be available at Chipotle's US and Canada restaurants, and will be offered to members of its rewards program for free on launch day. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CNN
09-06-2025
- Business
- CNN
Chipotle is releasing its first new dip in five years
Chipotle is tapping into America's seemingly never-ending obsession with ranch dressing. Beginning June 17, the chain is permanently adding Adobo Ranch to its menu. The dip, a variation on classic ranch, is seasoned with adobo pepper, sour cream and other herbs and spices that Chipotle says will give its food a 'craveable kick,' the company announced Monday. The addition of Adobo Ranch is the first time Chipotle has added a new dip in five years. In 2020, the chain rolled out a reformulated queso, which immediately boosted sales. The company is likely hoping for the same success as it deals with a slowdown in consumer spending. Sales fell during the first three months of the year, which Chipotle says is due to customers cutting back restaurant visits over concerns about the economy, echoing other chains' concerns. Chipotle (CMG) shares are down 12% for the year. Ranch, in particular, is popular among younger eaters and has increasingly appeared on more menus in recent years. Taco Bell added a spicy ranch created with Hidden Valley to accompany its crispy chicken nuggets, KFC features five ranch flavors at its new Saucy concept restaurant and Burger King once offered an 8-ounce ranch dipping cup. Chipotle acknowledges that ranch has 'become a cultural phenomenon, especially among Gen Z, who are finding creative ways to enjoy it beyond the traditional salad,' Chris Brand, the company's president and chief brand officer, said in a press release. Ranch also is well-known to consumers, giving them 'permission to experiment,' according to Maeve Webster, president of consulting firm Menu Matters. She adds that it's a sauce everyone is familiar with so 'that fear of wasting money, wasting time, or just generally not enjoying an experience will be mitigated.' Adobo Ranch will be available at Chipotle's US and Canada restaurants, and will be offered to members of its rewards program for free on launch day.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bahama Breeze just closed more than one-third of its locations
Bahama Breeze abruptly closed more than one-third of its restaurants this week, further compounding the casual dining segment's problems. Darden Restaurants, Bahama Breeze's parent company, said in a statement that the closure of 15 locations was the 'right decision because it will allow Bahama Breeze to focus on its highest performing restaurants and strengthen the brand's overall performance.' Restaurants that closed include five in Florida, four in New Jersey and one in Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New York and Tennessee. A spokesperson said that affected employees will try to be hired at nearby Darden-owned restaurants or be given severance. The Caribbean-inspired chain has just 29 restaurants remaining. The closures comes after a tough year for Bahama Breeze, with sales falling 7.7% last year, according to data given to CNN from Technomic, a restaurant analysis firm. Bahama Breeze's struggles underscore the 'tough times casual dining restaurants are facing,' said Maeve Webster, president of consulting firm Menu Matters. Those chains typically cater to lower and middle-income families looking for a sit-down meal, but diners are abandoning these companies as their disposable income shrinks because of inflation. American consumer sentiment plunged to a near-record low this month, the University of Michigan reported Friday. Webster told CNN that 'closing poorly performing units can be better for the chain overall than trying to fix them' because pouring resources into rescuing the poorly performing locations can 'undermine the entire chain.' 'It's similar to rationalizing a menu: Better to eliminate items that aren't selling or rarely selling to improve the quality and consistency of what remains,' Webster remarked. Darden, which also owns Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, had a tough quarter, particularly at those two brands, which are often standout chains for the company. Both concepts had weak same-store sales growth that came in below analysts' expectations. Sign in to access your portfolio
CNN
16-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
Bahama Breeze just closed more than one-third of its locations
Bahama Breeze abruptly closed more than one-third of its restaurants this week, further compounding the casual dining segment's problems. Darden Restaurants, Bahama Breeze's parent company, said in a statement that the closure of 15 locations was the 'right decision because it will allow Bahama Breeze to focus on its highest performing restaurants and strengthen the brand's overall performance.' Restaurants that closed include five in Florida, four in New Jersey and one in Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New York and Tennessee. A spokesperson said that affected employees will try to be hired at nearby Darden-owned restaurants or be given severance. The Caribbean-inspired chain has just 29 restaurants remaining. The closures comes after a tough year for Bahama Breeze, with sales falling 7.7% last year, according to data given to CNN from Technomic, a restaurant analysis firm. Bahama Breeze's struggles underscore the 'tough times casual dining restaurants are facing,' said Maeve Webster, president of consulting firm Menu Matters. Those chains typically cater to lower and middle-income families looking for a sit-down meal, but diners are abandoning these companies as their disposable income shrinks because of inflation. American consumer sentiment plunged to a near-record low this month, the University of Michigan reported Friday. Webster told CNN that 'closing poorly performing units can be better for the chain overall than trying to fix them' because pouring resources into rescuing the poorly performing locations can 'undermine the entire chain.' 'It's similar to rationalizing a menu: Better to eliminate items that aren't selling or rarely selling to improve the quality and consistency of what remains,' Webster remarked. Darden, which also owns Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, had a tough quarter, particularly at those two brands, which are often standout chains for the company. Both concepts had weak same-store sales growth that came in below analysts' expectations.
