California-based Chipotle Mexican Grill announced plans to open new restaurants in a location you may have already thought it was.
On Monday, April 21, the chain revealed its plans to develop new restaurants in Mexico as part of its partnership with Alsea, a restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe. According to the announcement, fans can expect the first Chipotle to open in Mexico by early 2026. It’s also exploring additional markets for expansion in the region.
“We are confident that our responsibly sourced, classically-cooked real food will resonate with guests in Mexico,” Nate Lawton, the chief business development officer at Chipotle, shared in a statement. “The country’s familiarity with our ingredients and affinity for fresh food make it an attractive growth market for our company.”
This is just the latest in Chipotle’s global expansion plan, with the fast-food chain signing its first international development agreement in 2023 to open restaurants in the Middle East with the Alshaya Group.
Courtesy of Chipotle Mexican Grill
The company noted in its statement that it currently operates three restaurants in Kuwait and two in the United Arab Emirates. The chain also highlighted it has “58 locations in Canada, 20 in the United Kingdom, six locations in France, and two in Germany,” making it possible to enjoy a bowl with extra guac all over the world. Additionally, it shared that it has a “long-term target of operating 7,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada” to further expand its reach in North America.
“We are proud to work with an iconic brand like Chipotle and help grow its international business for years to come,” Armando Torrado, the chief executive officer of Alsea, shared about the new partnership in Mexico. “Through this development agreement, we will continue to leverage our vast knowledge of the Mexican consumer and restaurant industry expertise to bring our customers the best food experiences and brands from around the world.”
As for what else Chipotle has going on, in March, it announced that it is bringing Chipotle Honey Chicken to its locations in North America and Europe for a limited time. As the brand shared with Food & Wine at the time, the limited menu item “perfectly balances unique heat from chipotle peppers and a touch of sweetness from pure wildflower honey.” So go get it while you can — you don’t even have to take a plane to try it.
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