US fast-casual concept, Chipotle Mexican Grill, has enjoyed explosive success and shaken the fast-food industry to its core by producing fast, healthy and quality food at affordable prices.
The chain, which is 1 700 locations strong, famously upped the quality of its pork (and the price by a dollar) to ensure the meat they were using was humanely produced.
Putting its money where its mouth is, Chipotle is now having its integrity put to the test by announcing that it has temporarily stopped serving pork at about 570 of its restaurants after finding a supplier had failed to meet its animal-welfare standards.
Chipotle is well-known for its emphasis on responsibly raised meat and resolute stance on food with integrity, requiring pigs to be raised with outdoor access or deeply bedded pens, and be raised antibiotic free.
The discovery was made as a result of routine supplier audits instead of an outside journalist or activist bursting on to the scene as happened with the McDonald’s China meat scandal in 2014. It wasn’t just a win for animal rights, but the auditing process helped dismantle a PR nightmare before it could happen.
