Where Companies Like Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) Are Way Ahead of the Curve

Obviously, some companies see these trends and are already ahead of the curve. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) is one of the significant chains that provides vegetarian and vegan customers with menu options. It’s also launched new tofu Sofritas, which fit the bill, and its nascent Asian ShopHouse chain also offers tofu options.

Meanwhile, high-flying IPO Noodles & Co (NASDAQ:NDLS) has been frequently compared to Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) since its very recent debut. The noodle slinger’s incredible growth is the Chipotle parallel that most investors are banking on right now. Another interesting element, to my way of thinking, is that it offers vegetarian and vegan menu items as well.

What’s on the plate
Some consumers just look for taste when they’re choosing their meals. Some simply seek a good bargain. But more and more consumers are bringing consciousness to the table. They’re looking for healthier options. More are thinking about the humane treatment of animals, and many of those reject eating animals or animal byproducts at all. They’re interested in avoiding companies that conduct factory farming, or giants such as Monsanto Company (NYSE:MON) and E I Du Pont De Nemours And Co (NYSE:DD) that peddle genetic modification to increase crop yields.

Of course, people can and do argue back and forth about whether GMOs are good, bad, or indifferent. Still, consumers do have the right to know where their food comes from, and to be able to make informed purchasing decisions.

Many investors still couldn’t care less whether companies such as Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG), Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM), and Noodles & Co (NASDAQ:NDLS) cater to consumer trends that many still believe are insignificant. In the not-so-distant future, such investors very well could find that when it comes to future growth from emerging, building trends, they missed their spot at the table.

Alyce Lomax owns shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill and Whole Foods Market. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, McDonald’s, and Whole Foods Market.

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