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Top 100: Menu Trends – Quinoa

Quinoa number nine on our list of the 2014 Top 100 Fast Casual Movers and Shakers: Menu Trends.

December 16, 2014

Quinoa number nine on our list of the 2014 Top 100 Fast Casual Movers and Shakers: Menu Trends.

Until recently, few people outside of South America had heard of quinoa. Now news of the superfood is spreading, with consumers attracted to its high fiber, amino acids, proteins and lack of gluten. Sounds great, but does it taste good? The answer is yes, according to several fast casual restaurants that tested it last year.

Zoës Kitchen introduced quinoa to its customers with the debut of The Quinoa Salad, which fit in perfectly with its Mediterranean menu. Burger joints also are adopting it. BurgerFi added a quinoa veggie burger in September. And Fresh & Co created an entire bar around it last year.

Customers can create their own complete customizable quinoa bowls including meats, veggies and sauces.