Chipotle Teams With 'Top Chef' Alum Richard Blais To Reboot Burger Brand

Chipotle is partnering with chef and James Beard Award-nominated cookbook author Richard Blais to revamp their Tasty Made burger restaurant's menu. The Chipotle-owned burger shack concept has only one location in the Midwest and has not raked in rave reviews since its 2016 opening.

"Richard is an extraordinary chef and an exceptionally capable restaurateur," said Steve Ells, founder, chairman, and CEO of Chipotle in a press release for the Tex-Mex chain. "[Richard] can apply his compelling vision and entrepreneurial spirit to our work in progress and oversee operations, allowing me to remain focused on continuing to grow and strengthen the Chipotle brand."

Blais is most recognizable for winning Bravo's Top Chef All-Stars, but this Culinary Institute of America grad has already launched Atlanta-based burger chain Flip Burger Boutique and chicken restaurant Crack Shack.

"Steve and Chipotle have had such a significant impact on reinventing fast food," Blais said in the press release. "There is no more iconic fast food than burgers, and I have always thought that there is a way to do them on a really big scale without compromising the quality of the food or the overall restaurant experience. Joining forces with Chipotle and Tasty Made is a truly unique opportunity to do that."

Hopefully Blais has a vision for the four-item Tasty Made menu, which currently features burgers, fries, shakes, and sodas.

A revamped burger chain is a fresh idea for the brand that is trying to clear its name after previous calamities. Here are 12 ways Chipotle is trying to win back our trust