NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (PRNewswire) – Chipotle Mexican Grill announced it has signed a development agreement to open restaurants in Mexico for the first time. In partnership with Alsea, S.A.B. de C.V., a leading restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe, Chipotle will open a 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.”
“We are proud to work with an iconic brand like Chipotle and help grow its international business for years to come,” said Armando Torrado, Alsea Chief Executive Officer. “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.”
Chipotle signed its first international development agreement in July 2023 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.
Chipotle’s existing international portfolio of owned and operated restaurants includes 58 locations in Canada; 20 in the United Kingdom; six locations in France; and two in Germany. The company currently operates over 3,700 restaurants and plans to open between 315 and 345 new restaurants this year, with a long-term target of operating 7,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
