Chipotle Wins peta2 Award for Pushing the Envelope on Great Vegan Food

Company's Vegan Burritos, New Chick'n Sandwich, and Progressive Animal Welfare Policy Give Vegetarians Plenty to Chew On

For Immediate Release:
January 11, 2011

Contact:
Kristin Richards 757-622-7382

Denver — Denver-based Chipotle Mexican Grill has won the award for Most Vegan-Friendly Restaurant Chain in the fifth annual Libby Awards competition sponsored by peta2, the world's largest youth animal rights organization. The Libby Awards ("Libby" is for "liberation") honor animal-friendly people and products. Visitors to peta2.com helped the group determine the winners by voting for their favorites in each category.

"Chipotle is a winner because the company proves every day that good taste in food goes hand in hand with kindness toward animals," says peta2 Director Dan Shannon. "Vegan options at restaurants have gone mainstream, and progressive companies like Chipotle Mexican Grill are a big reason why."

The great thing about Chipotle is that its meatless and dairy-free options are popular with vegetarians and nonvegetarians alike. The restaurant's Garden Blend burrito filling is made from soy and vegetable protein and dipped in a mouthwatering adobo marinade before grilling. And the just-introduced Chick'n Sandwich from leading vegan innovator Gardein tastes so much like the real thing, it'll fool even the most diehard meat-eater. Although the sandwich is currently available only in selected markets, Chipotle hopes to phase it in at all of the company's locations. Chipotle operates nearly 1,000 restaurants in 35 states and Canada.

This year, there were 28 different Libby categories, including Favorite Animal-Friendly Celebrity, Best Student Group, Best Fake Meat, Best Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Product, and Most Animal-Friendly Game. All Libby Award winners will receive a framed certificate and be featured on peta2.com.

For more information, please visit peta2.com or click here.