Operations

Weekend round-up: Chipotle brings back brisket as Mendocino Farms grows in Colorado

A slow weekend on the wires still brought a major-brand menu return, a new Colorado city for Mendocino Farms and growth moves from Luna Grill and The Big Greek Café.

Photo: Chipotle

October 26, 2026 by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

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It was a quiet weekend on the newswires for fast-casual brands.

News that broke between Friday afternoon and Monday morning include the return of Chipotle's brisket, a first Colorado Springs store for Mendocino Farms and growth news from Luna Grill and The Big Greek Cafe.

Chipotle bringing back brisket

Chipotle Mexican Grill will bring back Smoked Brisket as a limited-time protein at its U.S. and Canadian restaurants on Nov. 5, [according to a company press release. From Nov. 5 through Nov. 18, the chain will waive delivery fees on orders that include a Smoked Brisket entree and total at least $10 ($12 in Canada), placed through its own app and website at participating locations. Catering, Burritos by the Box and third-party delivery orders don't qualify, and higher delivery menu prices still apply.

The beef is smoked over mesquite before it reaches restaurants, where crews sear it on the plancha, sauce it and chop it throughout the day.

"We're bringing guests a responsibly sourced brisket that delivers big flavor and lives up to our industry-leading Food with Integrity standards," Stephanie Perdue, senior vice president of brand marketing, said in the release. Chipotle estimates that roughly 5% of U.S. beef meets its animal welfare and quality standards.

For operators, the fee waiver is the detail to watch: it steers demand for a premium LTO toward Chipotle's first-party digital channels rather than third-party marketplaces.

The Newport Beach, California-based chain has more than 4,200 restaurants.

Mendocino Farms plants flag in Colorado Springs

Mendocino Farms is opening its first Colorado Springs restaurant Tuesday at The Promenade Shops at Briargate, according to The Gazette. It will be the brand's fourth Colorado location, following its Denver debut in Cherry Creek in May 2025 and later stores in Denver's Highlands neighborhood and on 16th Street.

The Southern California-based chain, founded in 2005, sells sandwiches, salads, wraps and soups.

"Rather than a build-your-own concept, every dish on our menu has been thoughtfully created by our chefs and culinary team," Debbie Fitzgerald, a company spokeswoman, said in an email to The Gazette.

The Colorado buildout gives a chef-composed menu, rather than an assembly line, a test in a new region.

Luna Grill ties an app-only bowl to a gym partner

Luna Grill has launched the Fuel Forward Bowl with gym chain EoS Fitness, selling it only through the Club Luna app at its locations in California, Arizona and Texas, according to a company press release.

Luna Grill has launched the Fuel Forward Bowl with gym chain EoS Fitness. Photo: Luna

The bowl pairs a grilled protein with basmati rice and several of the brand's salads, and Luna Grill said it carries 45 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber. The brand will donate $1 from each bowl to the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

Club Luna members also get a 14-day free pass to EoS gyms, and new app users get $5 off their first order.

Founded in San Diego in 2004, the fast-casual Mediterranean brand operates 65 locations in Southern California, the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Arizona.

The Big Greek Café adds a second Frederick County site

The Big Greek Café has leased 2,500 square feet at Westview Promenade in Frederick, Maryland, its second Frederick County location after Urbana, according to a press release. The 200,000-square-foot outdoor center is anchored by Regal Westview Cinema and MOM's Organic Market.

Niko Kontos, director of operations, said the brand chose the site for "its family-oriented environment, movie theatre and strong foot traffic during all day parts."

The chain, which serves gyro pitas, bowls and salads, has 15 locations in Maryland and Virginia.

On deck this week

Wingstop and Chipotle reportt 3Q results Wednesday.

OperationsChipotle Mexican Grill Mendocino Farms

About Cherryh Cansler

Cherryh Cansler is Publisher of FastCasual.com and Vice President of Connect Food. She has been covering the restaurant industry since 2012. Her byline has appeared in Forbes, The Kansas City Star and American Fitness magazine, among many others.

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