CHIPOTLE SIGNS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH ALSEA TO OPEN RESTAURANTS IN MEXICO FOR THE FIRST TIME
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) has announced a development agreement to enter the Mexican market for the first time, partnering with Alsea, a major restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe. The first location in Mexico is expected to open by early 2026.
This expansion follows Chipotle's recent international growth, including its first international development agreement with Alshaya Group in July 2023 for the Middle East market, where they currently operate 5 restaurants. Chipotle's existing international presence includes 58 locations in Canada, 20 in the United Kingdom, 6 in France, and 2 in Germany.
The company currently operates over 3,700 restaurants and plans to open 315-345 new restaurants this year, with a long-term target of 7,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) ha annunciato un accordo di sviluppo per entrare per la prima volta nel mercato messicano, in collaborazione con Alsea, uno dei principali operatori di ristoranti in America Latina e Europa. La prima sede in Messico è prevista per l'inizio del 2026.
Questa espansione segue la recente crescita internazionale di Chipotle, inclusa la prima intesa internazionale con il gruppo Alshaya a luglio 2023 per il mercato del Medio Oriente, dove attualmente gestiscono 5 ristoranti. La presenza internazionale di Chipotle comprende 58 locali in Canada, 20 nel Regno Unito, 6 in Francia e 2 in Germania.
L'azienda gestisce attualmente oltre 3.700 ristoranti e prevede di aprirne 315-345 nuovi quest'anno, con un obiettivo a lungo termine di 7.000 sedi negli Stati Uniti e in Canada.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) ha anunciado un acuerdo de desarrollo para ingresar por primera vez al mercado mexicano, en asociación con Alsea, un importante operador de restaurantes en América Latina y Europa. Se espera que la primera ubicación en México abra a principios de 2026.
Esta expansión sigue al reciente crecimiento internacional de Chipotle, incluyendo su primer acuerdo internacional con el grupo Alshaya en julio de 2023 para el mercado de Medio Oriente, donde actualmente operan 5 restaurantes. La presencia internacional actual de Chipotle incluye 58 ubicaciones en Canadá, 20 en el Reino Unido, 6 en Francia y 2 en Alemania.
La compañía opera actualmente más de 3,700 restaurantes y planea abrir entre 315 y 345 nuevos restaurantes este año, con un objetivo a largo plazo de 7,000 ubicaciones en Estados Unidos y Canadá.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG)는 멕시코 시장에 처음 진출하기 위해 라틴 아메리카와 유럽의 주요 외식 기업인 Alsea와 개발 계약을 체결했다고 발표했습니다. 멕시코 내 첫 매장은 2026년 초에 오픈할 예정입니다.
이번 확장은 2023년 7월 중동 시장 진출을 위한 Alshaya 그룹과의 첫 국제 개발 계약을 포함한 Chipotle의 최근 국제적 성장에 따른 것입니다. 현재 Chipotle은 캐나다에 58개, 영국에 20개, 프랑스에 6개, 독일에 2개 매장을 운영 중입니다.
회사는 현재 3,700개 이상의 매장을 운영하고 있으며, 올해 315~345개의 신규 매장을 열 계획이고, 미국과 캐나다에서 장기적으로 7,000개 매장을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE : CMG) a annoncé un accord de développement pour entrer pour la première fois sur le marché mexicain, en partenariat avec Alsea, un important exploitant de restaurants en Amérique latine et en Europe. Le premier établissement au Mexique devrait ouvrir début 2026.
Cette expansion fait suite à la récente croissance internationale de Chipotle, incluant son premier accord de développement international avec le groupe Alshaya en juillet 2023 pour le marché du Moyen-Orient, où ils exploitent actuellement 5 restaurants. La présence internationale actuelle de Chipotle comprend 58 établissements au Canada, 20 au Royaume-Uni, 6 en France et 2 en Allemagne.
L'entreprise exploite actuellement plus de 3 700 restaurants et prévoit d'en ouvrir entre 315 et 345 nouveaux cette année, avec un objectif à long terme de 7 000 établissements aux États-Unis et au Canada.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) hat eine Entwicklungsvereinbarung zur erstmaligen Erschließung des mexikanischen Marktes bekannt gegeben und arbeitet dabei mit Alsea zusammen, einem führenden Gastronomiebetreiber in Lateinamerika und Europa. Der erste Standort in Mexiko soll Anfang 2026 eröffnen.
Diese Expansion folgt auf Chipotles jüngstes internationales Wachstum, einschließlich der ersten internationalen Entwicklungsvereinbarung mit der Alshaya-Gruppe im Juli 2023 für den Nahostmarkt, wo aktuell 5 Restaurants betrieben werden. Die bestehende internationale Präsenz von Chipotle umfasst 58 Standorte in Kanada, 20 im Vereinigten Königreich, 6 in Frankreich und 2 in Deutschland.
Das Unternehmen betreibt derzeit über 3.700 Restaurants und plant, in diesem Jahr 315-345 neue Restaurants zu eröffnen, mit einem langfristigen Ziel von 7.000 Standorten in den USA und Kanada.
- Strategic expansion into Mexico market represents new growth opportunity
- Partnership with established operator Alsea reduces market entry risks
- Aggressive expansion plan with 315-345 new restaurants planned for 2025
- Strong international presence with 86 locations across multiple countries
- Clear long-term growth target of 7,000 locations in U.S. and Canada
- Significant delay until first Mexico location opens (2026)
- Heavy dependence on third-party operators for international expansion
Insights
Chipotle's Mexico entry creates a unique "reverse import" situation, with success hinging on brand adaptation in the cuisine's homeland.
Chipotle's expansion into Mexico represents a fascinating strategic paradox – an American chain inspired by Mexican cuisine now entering the very market that influenced its creation. This "reverse globalization" move creates unique positioning challenges and opportunities not typically faced by expanding restaurant chains.
The partnership with Alsea, one of Latin America's most experienced restaurant operators with extensive regional presence, provides Chipotle with crucial local market intelligence and operational infrastructure. Alsea's experience adapting international brands to Latin American consumer preferences will be invaluable as Chipotle navigates this sensitive market entry.
Mexico represents significant potential with its large population and growing middle class, but success will require careful brand positioning. As Nate Lawton notes, the "country's familiarity with our ingredients" could be either an advantage or challenge – Mexican consumers have sophisticated understanding of authentic local cuisine, potentially creating higher expectations for Chipotle's offering.
This expansion builds on Chipotle's measured international approach, following recent entry into Middle Eastern markets through a similar partnership model with Alshaya Group. The 2026 target opening date indicates a deliberate planning timeline, allowing for thoughtful adaptation of menu, operations, and positioning for this uniquely challenging market.
Chipotle's strategic Mexico expansion with Alsea demonstrates disciplined international growth while focusing on their 7,000 North American restaurant target.
Chipotle's Mexico expansion represents a strategic complement to their ambitious North American growth targets. With over 3,700 existing restaurants and plans for 315-345 new locations this year, the company maintains focus on their stated long-term goal of 7,000 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada while methodically exploring international opportunities.
Partnering with Alsea provides Chipotle significant advantages through an established operator with deep regional expertise. Alsea's extensive experience managing international brands in Mexico and throughout Latin America creates operational efficiencies and market intelligence that would take Chipotle years to develop independently.
The 2026 timeline for the first location demonstrates Chipotle's patient approach to international expansion – prioritizing proper execution over rapid scaling. This measured entry strategy aligns with their historical expansion philosophy of ensuring operational excellence before accelerating growth.
This development, alongside their recent Middle East market entry with five locations already operating through Alshaya Group, signals Chipotle's increased comfort with partnership models for international growth. While maintaining company-owned operations domestically, these strategic partnerships enable capital-efficient global expansion leveraging local expertise.
The mention of "exploring additional expansion markets in the region" suggests Mexico will serve as a gateway to broader Latin American opportunities if successful, potentially creating a meaningful new growth vector beyond Chipotle's maturing core markets.
- In partnership with Alsea, Chipotle expects to open its first location in
Mexico by early 2026
"We are confident that our responsibly sourced, classically-cooked real food will resonate with guests in
"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's International Expansion
Chipotle signed its first international development agreement in July 2023 with Alshaya Group to open restaurants in the
Chipotle's business development group, led by Chief Business Development Officer Nate Lawton, is exploring additional opportunities for growth via outside partnerships. Information on submitting a proposal can be found at https://ir.chipotle.com/contact-us.
ABOUT CHIPOTLE
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. There are over 3,700 restaurants as of December 31, 2024, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Kuwait, and United Arab Emirates and it is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. With over 130,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit chipotle.com.
ABOUT ALSEA GROUP
Alsea is a leading restaurant operator in
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about the timing of openings the first Chipotle restaurant in
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chipotle-signs-development-agreement-with-alsea-to-open-restaurants-in-mexico-for-the-first-time-302432851.html
SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill
FAQ
When will Chipotle (CMG) open its first restaurant in Mexico?
How many international locations does Chipotle (CMG) currently operate?
What is Chipotle's (CMG) expansion target for new restaurant openings in 2025?
What is Chipotle's (CMG) long-term restaurant target for the U.S. and Canada?
