Chipotle Blankets More of the Nation With Its Vegan Menu

The burrito-slingers at Chipotle Mexican Grill are making an even larger play for the vegan market, with its vegan "Sofritas" option (made of tofu) expanding into nine more states earlier this week. According to a press release, the braised and shredded tofu is now available on Chipotle menus in Texas, Florida, and the Carolinas after a successful test run in California and the Pacific Northwest. By the end of the year, the tofu will be available as a "permanent menu item in all U.S. Chipotle restaurants."

Chipotle's national roll-out may represent a shift toward non-meat eaters in the fast-food market: This summer, White Castle announced it was testing vegetarian sliders (although an accompanying "avocado ranch" dressing prohibited the dish from being vegan). Vegan chain Native Foods Cafe just opened its 22nd location (its first on the east coast). And of course, chef José Andrés will unleash a vegetable-focused fast-food chain, Beefsteak, upon Washington, DC in early 2015, with more locations to come.