Chipotle Mexican Grill is making headlines for both its culinary ventures and labor disputes. The company announced it’s testing a new menu item, Chipotle Honey Chicken, in 80 restaurants across Nashville, Tennessee, and Sacramento, California. This sweet and spicy dish combines the heat of chipotle peppers with the sweetness of pure honey, creating a unique flavor profile that has already impressed taste testers.
This latest offering is part of Chipotle’s strategy to roll out two to three new menu items annually. Previous chicken innovations, like Chicken al Pastor and Pollo Asado, have been successful, with Chicken al Pastor becoming a fan favorite.
However, Chipotle is also facing accusations of unfair labor practices. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) claims that the company unlawfully withheld pay raises from unionized employees at its Lansing, Michigan, location. According to the NLRB’s general counsel, Chipotle told these employees they wouldn’t receive the same raises as non-unionized employees due to their union status. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing the Lansing workers, filed a complaint, potentially leading to a formal charge against Chipotle if not resolved.
This isn’t the first time Chipotle has faced labor-related challenges. In April 2023, the company agreed to pay $240,000 to settle an NLRB case related to the closure of a restaurant in Augusta, Maine, amid unionization efforts. These allegations come at a critical time for Chipotle, with its outgoing CEO Brian Niccol set to join Starbucks in September.
Chipotle’s stock price reacted positively to the news, rising by 2.54% to $56.16 on Tuesday. While the company continues to innovate its menu, it faces an uphill battle with labor relations as it transitions to new leadership.
