Chipotle Loses 'Favorite Mexican Restaurant' Honors, Doesn't Even Make The Top 4

For four years in a row, Chipotle easily won the honors for favorite Mexican fast-casual restaurant chain from the annual consumer poll released by the Harris Poll EquiTrend rankings. Now, for the first time, Chipotle has been knocked out of the first place spot and out of the top four altogether. The number one fast casual Mexican chain, according to Harris Poll, is Moe's Southwestern Grill, followed by Taco Bell, Qdoba, and Baja Fresh.

Last year, Chipotle was knocked out of the top spot in the Consumer Reports ratings, with the honor given to Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill instead.

Chipotle has dropped in public approval ratings and earnings ever since last fall and winter when multiple food safety scandals, hospitalizations from listeria, and lawsuits plagued the once-uber-popular Mexican restaurant chain known for its oversized burrito bowls.

Now Chipotle is trying multiple angles to win back customers, including an upcoming rewards program called Chiptopia and more opportunities for customers to get free food.