Chipotle to Open First Mexico-Based Restaurant

Chipotle Mexican Grill today announced that the first Chipotle restaurant in Mexico will open on Thursday, July 16 in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, part of the Monterrey metropolitan area, in partnership with Alsea, a leading restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe. The opening marks a significant milestone in Chipotle’s international growth strategy and introduces the company’s menu of freshly prepared, customizable burritos, bowls, salads, tacos and quesadillas to guests in Mexico.

This restaurant is the first location to open under the development agreement Chipotle and Alsea announced in April 2025. Building on this market entry, Chipotle and Alsea plan to open additional restaurants in Nuevo León later this year and expand into Mexico City in 2027.

“We are entering Mexico with deep respect for the country’s culinary heritage and a commitment to delivering the Chipotle experience with excellence,” said Scott Boatwright, Chief Executive Officer of Chipotle. “Our research has reinforced our belief that there is strong interest in high-quality, freshly prepared food served with the customization and convenience that Chipotle offers. Nuevo León is an ideal place to begin this journey, and with Alsea’s operational expertise and deep local market knowledge, we look forward to serving new guests and earning a place in Mexico’s vibrant dining culture.”

“We’ve spent years evaluating opportunities to bring Chipotle to Mexico, and this week’s opening reinforces our confidence in the market,” said Nate Lawton, Chief Business Development Officer of Chipotle. “Our initial focus is on opening one great restaurant and learning alongside our guests and our partners at Alsea. This first location will serve as an important proof-of-concept, giving us the opportunity to better understand local consumer preferences as we thoughtfully grow in Mexico.”

The new restaurant features Chipotle’s signature menu prepared fresh throughout the day with the same chef-led standards and classic cooking techniques that have shaped the brand since its founding. The company sources many of its ingredients from suppliers throughout the region and remains committed to serving real food made with wholesome ingredients and without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

The Monterrey metropolitan area was selected as Chipotle’s first location in Mexico due to its strong economy, growing population, and status as one of the country’s leading business and innovation hubs. The restaurant represents the first step in Chipotle and Alsea’s broader expansion strategy as the companies evaluate opportunities across Mexico’s largest metropolitan markets.

“Bringing Chipotle to Mexico is an important step in our growth and portfolio diversification strategy. We are introducing an iconic brand with a differentiated value proposition that has resonated with millions of guests around the world, and we are confident it will be warmly welcomed by Mexican consumers. This week’s opening reflects our confidence in Mexico’s growth potential and our commitment to continuing to drive investment, job creation, and economic development in the communities where we operate,” said Christian Gurría, Chief Executive Officer of Alsea.

Chipotle’s Growing International Footprint Chipotle signed its first international development agreement in July 2023 with Alshaya Group to open restaurants in the Middle East. Alshaya Group currently operates 15 restaurants across the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar. In September 2025, Chipotle announced a joint venture with SPC Group, a leading South Korean food and bakery company, to expand the brand into Asia for the first time, with plans to open its first restaurant in South Korea later this year and in Singapore early next year.

Chipotle’s existing international portfolio of owned and operated restaurants includes more than 80 locations in Canada, 20 in the U.K., six in France, and two in Germany. The company currently operates more than 4,100 restaurants worldwide and expects to open between 350 and 370 new restaurants in 2026 as it continues to execute its “Recipe for Growth” strategy, including a target of operating 7,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

Chipotle’s business development group, led by Chief Business Development Officer Nate Lawton, continues to evaluate strategic opportunities to accelerate the company’s global growth through partnerships, joint ventures, and development agreements. Information on submitting a proposal can be found at