For months now, many Chipotle carnitas lovers have been out of luck, but a solution could be on the way, said Chipotle co-CEO Steve Ells on the company's earnings conference call Tuesday.
After axing an important pork supplier in January for not meeting Chipotle's animal welfare standards, Ells said, "We now believe we have found a solution." He said the restaurant chain will likely expand its supply of carnitas beginning in the third quarter.
Increasing supply would be welcome news at the roughly one third of locations that are still experiencing a pork shortage.
By the fourth quarter, Ells expects carnitas to return to full supply "if all goes according to plan."
The company admitted the pork shortage, along with adverse weather, had an impact on comparable-restaurant sales, which rose 10.4 percent in the quarter and disappointed analysts.
