If you were looking forward to finally getting your hands on a carnitas burrito again, don't get your hopes up. The carnitas crisis is likely to continue for months to come.
Chipotle's pork shortage began in January, when Chipotle suspended one of its suppliers for failing to meet its animal treatment standards. The company has now found a new supplier, and Chipotle announced Tuesday that it hopes to offer carnitas at its 1,800 restaurants by October, the start of the fourth quarter.
Chris Arnold, a Chipotle spokesperson, told The Huffington Post that "a significant number of restaurants" should have carnitas back on the menu in the third quarter, though there's no word on which locations may get them sooner.
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Offering carnitas will help Chipotle's bottom line, not just your taste buds — Chipotle estimates that the lack of carnitas has shaved one to two percent off the company's store sales. Arnold estimates that pork makes up six to seven percent of entree orders at the chain.
Unfortunately, if you prefer Chipotle's steak to carnitas, the company still doesn't have good news for you. Chipotle announced that it "undershot" the cost of beef inflation, so it will likely raise the prices of its steak and barbacoa offerings.
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