Chipotle’s first new dipping sauce in five years is coming.
The fast-casual chain said Monday it will debut a new Adobo Ranch, a smoky new option spiced with adobo pepper, sour cream and a blend of herbs and spices that can be added across the menu. The new sauce is scheduled to roll out across the U.S. and Canada on June 17, and Rewards members can try it for free on launch day.
But, unlike the chain’s vinaigrette, the Adobo Ranch sauce is priced at 75 cents.
For Chipotle, it's hoping the new menu news will boost traffic, which declined during the first quarter for the first time since 2020. It’s the first new dip since Chipotle debuted Queso Blanco in 2020.
New menu news tends to drive Chipotle fans in, and CEO Scott Boatwright has been promising more menu innovation.
Chipotle typically has two “tent pole” limited-time offers during the year—in spring and fall. But Boatwright said the chain is thinking about doing more to generate more customer engagement.
“We’re asking our LTOs today to work for five or six months,” he said after reporting first quarter results. “And I think they lose their luster in months five and six.”
Chipotle’s Honey Chicken debuted in March, and it was a hit, Boatwright said, doing as well as the popular Chicken Al Pastor last year.
Ranch sauces and dressings have taken over the world, surpassing ketchup as America’s favorite condiment last year, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Chipotle is promoting its new sauce as featuring only “real ingredients” and no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
“Ranch has become a cultural phenomenon, especially among Gen Z, who are finding creative ways to enjoy it beyond the traditional salad,” said Chris Brandt, Chipotle’s president and chief brand officer, in a statement. “Our new Adobo Ranch taps into this passion, giving fans a craveworthy way to customize their Chipotle order with a completely new flavor.”
Nevielle Panthaky, Chipotle’s vice president of culinary, recommends dipping a quesadilla in Adobo Ranch, or the salt-and-lime-flavored tortilla chips before scooping into a burrito bowl for “the perfect bite.”
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