Key facts
- Chipotle Mexican Grill opened its first restaurant in Mexico on Thursday, July 16.
- The new restaurant is located in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León.
- Alsea, a large restaurant operator, is partnering with Chipotle for its expansion in Mexico.
- Additional locations are planned for Nuevo León this year, with expansion into Mexico City in 2027.
- Chipotle has existing international operations in the Middle East, Canada, the UK, France, and Germany.
Chipotle Mexican Grill has opened its first restaurant in Mexico, marking a significant step in its international growth strategy. The inaugural location, situated in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, is part of a development agreement with Alsea, a prominent restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe.
Alsea, which manages brands like Domino's Pizza, Starbucks, and Burger King, will serve as the development and expansion partner for Chipotle in Mexico. The company operates over 4,830 locations across various countries. Following the initial opening, Chipotle and Alsea plan to launch additional restaurants in Nuevo León later this year and expand into Mexico City in 2027.
Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright expressed respect for Mexico's culinary heritage and a commitment to delivering the brand's customizable experience. Nate Lawton, Chief Business Development Officer, described the first location as a proof-of-concept to understand local consumer preferences before further scaling. The Monterrey metropolitan area was chosen for its economic strength, growing population, and status as a business hub.
This move into Mexico is part of Chipotle's broader international expansion. The company entered the Middle East in 2023 through a partnership with Alshaya Group, operating 15 restaurants there. In September 2025, Chipotle announced a joint venture with South Korea's SPC Group to enter the Asian market, with plans for initial openings in South Korea and Singapore. Chipotle also has existing operations in Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, and domestically operates over 4,100 restaurants.