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Chipotle $CMG -1.76% Mexican Grill is testing a crispy fried chicken protein option at select restaurants in California, with the company saying it will evaluate results before deciding whether to broaden the rollout.
In a statement shared with USA TODAY, Chipotle said it "will use guest and operational feedback to determine whether to move forward with a broader market test as part of our stage-gate process." The company did not confirm which locations are participating or how much the item costs.
Sightings of the new item were posted on social media from at least two California locations, including one in Tustin and another in Irvine, based on reporting by KTLA. Like other Chipotle proteins, the crispy chicken is available as a filling across the chain's standard menu formats, including bowls, burritos, tacos, and salads, according to KTLA. Signage at test restaurants described the chicken as free of gluten, antibiotics, and artificial ingredients, according to USA TODAY.
Pricing data from at least one test site put the crispy chicken at $11.40, roughly a dollar and a quarter above the $10.15 charged for the chain's regular grilled chicken, according to The Takeout.
