Chipotle invests US$100m in Lumachain and Brassica

This minority investment is done through Chipotle’s Cultivate Next venture fund. 

Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced its minority investment in Lumachain, an AI supply chain platform, and Brassica, a fast-casual restaurant concept, through its US$100m Cultivate Next venture fund. 

Lumachain aims to improve how food is produced, developing a traceability solution that, in real-time, tracks the origin, location, and condition of individual items in a supply chain, from farm to table.

Lumachain's traceability platform is enhanced by its computer vision AI system, which oversees operations within food production plants.

"The visibility in real-time and quality data analytics that Lumachain's software provides could optimise the management and quality of perishable goods for the food service industry," said Curt Garner, chief customer and technology officer of Chipotle.

Meanwhile, Brassica’s concept provides healthy dining options, including house-made falafel, baked-to-order organic pita, antibiotic-free meats, roasted vegetables, Brassica seasoned fries, vegan tahini chocolate chip cookies, and fresh-squeezed minty pink lemonade.

Launched in 2022, Cultivate Next makes early-stage investments to companies that align with Chipotle’s aim to ‘Cultivate a Better World’ and support the company's long-term growth plans to operate 7,000 restaurants in North America. 

Chipotle's Cultivate Next venture fund portfolio includes Brassica, GreenField Robotics, Hyphen, Local Line, Lumachain, Meati Foods, Nitricity, Vebu, and Zero Acre Farms.