Chipotle customers are having "menu fatigue."
2016-03-05According to Deutsche Bank analysts, Chipotle lacks innovation in its menu, meaning that customers are becoming bored with its limited selections.
There are other fast-food competitors that are offering fresh, customizable options similar to Chipotle.
Here are 14 chains with fun, unique menus that have potential to become the next Chipotle.
Freebirds World Burrito
Where healthy meets tasty! Have you tried any of our #6Under600 builds yet?
A photo posted by Freebirds World Burrito (@freebirdsworldburrito) on Feb 3, 2016 at 11:00am PST
Cool offerings: Freebirds is a fast-casual chain in the Southwest that offers multiple flavors of tortillas, dessert options, and a rewards card to rack up points for a free meal or merchandise.
Tijuana Flats
Monday #reFRESH. #salad #healthy #TijuanaFlats
A photo posted by Tijuana Flats (@tijuanaflats) on Nov 17, 2014 at 2:32pm PST
Cool offerings: Tijuana Flats is known for its hot-sauce bar. It has a funky, almost grungy atmosphere with murals on the wall and hand-painted ceiling tiles. The Florida chain has a fun personality. A point on its manifesto: "It only burns for a little while."
Baja Fresh Mexican Grill
#bajaFRESH #bajafreshmexicangrill #yummy #love #mexicanfood #delicious #food #yummy #taquitos
A photo posted by Baja Fresh (@boldbajafresh) on Mar 23, 2015 at 11:13pm PDT
Cool offerings: Baja Fresh has been around since 1990 and is all about nutrition. The chain is transparent with its ingredients and even offers a 600-calorie menu, crispy fish tacos, and taquitos.
Pancheros
Rose Bowl. Orange Bowl. Burrito Bowl?
A photo posted by pancheros (@pancheros) on Dec 9, 2015 at 5:01pm PST
Cool offerings: The Pancheros menu is simple, but the chain prides itself on its homemade tortillas that it claims can hold the heaviest of burritos.
Taco Cabana
A photo posted by Taco Cabana (@taco_cabana) on Dec 30, 2015 at 6:06am PST
Cool offerings: Compared to other Mexican fast-food options, Taco Cabana is cheap and offers a range in Mexican dishes. The best part? Happy hour from 4-7, during which customers can get a margarita or beer plus bean or cheese nachos for $3.
Del Taco
A photo posted by Del Taco (@deltaco) on Nov 5, 2015 at 5:40pm PST
Cool offerings: Del Taco has been around since the 1960s, yet its menu continues to be innovative. Beer-battered fish tacos, surf-and-turf burritos, and a generous dollar menu are enough to grab customers' attention.
Moe's
A photo posted by Moe's Southwest Grill (@moessouthwestgrill) on Oct 8, 2015 at 11:07am PDT
Cool offerings: "Welcome to Moe's!" A friendly greeting, two burrito size options, and Moe's Grocery gives this chain a fun edge on its competition.
Qdoba
Queso on Queso. Cheers to an awesome #food shot from @hommemma_lacedup #yum #queso #burritolife
A photo posted by Qdoba (@qdoba) on Aug 11, 2014 at 2:35pm PDT
Cool offerings: Qdoba is growing quickly with over 600 locations in the US. Its menu stands out by offering tortilla soup, taco salad, and notoriously named tacos.
Dos Toros
A photo posted by Dos Toros (@dostoros) on Feb 15, 2016 at 1:42pm PST
Cool offerings: The menu at Dos Toros is simple, but the culture of the New York-based chain is edgy and transparent. Its website features music videos that the staff made of themselves and shares the playlists of its restaurants.
Taco Bueno
A photo posted by Taco Bueno (@tacobueno) on Aug 28, 2015 at 7:54am PDT
Cool offerings: Other than random offerings like the $0.59 taco burger, Taco Bueno's signature item is the beef muchaco. It's a taco made of pita bread with a layer of refried beans, beef, and veggies. The chain says it's "the best kept secret in town."
Zona Fresca
A photo posted by Zona Fresca (@zonafrescaofficial) on Oct 22, 2013 at 12:21pm PDT
Cool offerings: Zona Fresca's motto: "To serve not your everyday Mexican food, but Mexican food you can eat everyday." Its menu is baja California-themed with shrimp or fish tacos, burritos, and quesadillas.
California Tortilla
Heavy on the taco, light on the Tuesday (please) 😅
A photo posted by California Tortilla (@caltort) on Feb 2, 2016 at 11:39am PST
Cool offerings: California Tortilla's chef-inspired creations are unique and intriguing. The Korean BBQ burrito, honey-lime burrito, and bacon-chicken-club burrito are unlike anything we've seen at other Mexican chains.
El Pollo Loco
It’s Friday! This calls for a Chicken & Shrimp Fajita Tostada treat! Yum:) #TGIF
A photo posted by ElPolloLoco (@elpolloloco) on Sep 18, 2015 at 12:59pm PDT
Cool offerings: El Pollo Loco is all about chicken. Crazy chicken. Burritos, salads, and individual chicken meals are featured on its vast menu.
