Chipotle to make Mexico debut in 2026
Chipotle Mexican Grill will make its its first foray into Latin America as it continues its international expansion.
The fast-casual chain has signed a development agreement to open restaurants in Mexico. In partnership with Alsea, S.A.B. de C.V. (Alsea), a leading restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe, Chipotle will open its first location in Mexico by early 2026 and begin exploring "additional expansion markets in the region."
"We are confident that our responsibly-sourced, classically-cooked real food will resonate with guests in Mexico," said Nate Lawton, chief business development officer at Chipotle. "The country's familiarity with our ingredients and affinity for fresh food make it an attractive growth market for our company."
Chipotle's international portfolio of owned and operating restaurants includes 58 locations in Canada, 20 in the United Kingdom, six locations in France and two in Germany. The company signed its first international develoipment agreement in July 2023, entering into a deal with Alshaya Group to open restaurants in the Middle East. Chipotle and Alshaya Group currently operate three restaurants in Kuwait and two in the United Arab Emirates.
In February, Chipotle said it planned to open between 315 and 345 new locations in 2025, and that its goal is to hit 7,000 restaurants across North America.
"We are proud to work with an iconic brand like Chipotle and help grow its international business for years to come," said Armando Torrado, CEO of Alsea. "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."
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As of Dec. 31, 2024, Chipotle operates more than 3,700 stores globally and employs more than 130,000 workers.
Alsea is a leading restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe of global brands in the quick service, coffee shop and full-service restaurant segments. The company operates more than 4,700 units in Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Uruguay and Paraguay.
