CAVA, a Mediterranean culinary brand that provides a fast-casual dining experience, has expanded its healthy meal options with the inclusion of RightRice, a low-carb rice that's made almost entirely from vegetables.
In addition to being low in carbohydrates, RightRice is also high in fiber and full of protein. As an easy-to-use meal base, it also makes it easier for consumers to include more servings of vegetables in their diets. Although it tastes similarly to rice, RightRice contains chickpeas, green peas, lentils, and just a small amount of rice. When dining at CAVA restaurants, consumers can choose to include RightRice in a bowl of their choice, or take advantage of its new menu addition: the 'Chicken + RightRice Bowl.'
CEO Brett Schulman spoke to the brand's shift, stating "After looking at a variety of rice alternatives, RightRice was the only one that delivers on the taste and nutritional profile we were looking for and uses Mediterranean ingredients and flavors we love. We are honored to be the first national restaurant partner for RightRice, and we intend to continue expanding our plant-based menu to meet our guests' needs."
Plant-Based Rice Bowls
CAVA is Now Offering RightRice at Its Restaurant Locations
Trend Themes
1. Low-carb Meal Options - Brands can include low-carb meal options that are high in fiber and protein and use plant-based substitutes to continue to innovate in the healthy eating space.
2. Innovative Meal Bases - Restaurants can create innovative meal bases that are easy-to-use and made with vegetables to offer customers a healthier option without compromising on taste and convenience.
3. Mediterranean-inspired Ingredients - Integrating Mediterranean-inspired ingredients and flavors like chickpeas and lentils into meal options can help differentiate a brand, and offer both a nutritional benefit and a unique taste profile to customers.
Industry Implications
1. Fast-casual Restaurants - Fast-casual restaurants can continue to innovate in the low-carb space by using innovative bases and integrating healthier options into menus.
2. Health Food Market - Companies within the health food market can invest in plant-based substitutes, simplified meal bases and innovative flavor profiles to meet consumer's needs for healthy, delicious, and convenient meal options.
3. Meal Kit Services - Meal kit services can incorporate products like RightRice, as an easy-to-use carb-free meal base to cater to customers specializing in meal plans with low-carb, high-fiber and plant-based options.