Chipotle to open its first Mexico restaurant in Monterrey area
Chipotle said its first Mexico location will open this week under a development deal with restaurant group Alsea.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
2 min read
Chipotle will open its first restaurant in Mexico this week, CNBC reported, marking the U.S. fast-casual chain’s entry into a market central to the food it sells. The company said the opening is part of a broader international push built around local development partners.
According to CNBC, the restaurant is scheduled to open Thursday in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, within the Monterrey metropolitan area. Chipotle said the location is the first to open under its development agreement with Alsea, a restaurant operator based in the region.
Chipotle told CNBC that the Monterrey-area debut will start a wider rollout in Mexico. The company said it also plans to enter Mexico City in 2027, though CNBC did not report the number of restaurants planned for that market.
The company said it picked the Monterrey area because of its strong economy, population growth and role as a business and innovation center in Mexico, CNBC reported. Chipotle said the restaurant will offer the same menu served at its U.S. locations.
Chief Executive Scott Boatwright said in a company statement cited by CNBC that Chipotle is entering Mexico with respect for the country’s culinary traditions and a focus on delivering its usual restaurant experience. He said the company’s research pointed to demand for freshly prepared food that customers can customize and receive with convenience.
Part of a broader growth plan
CNBC reported that Chipotle plans to open 350 to 370 restaurants this year as it tries to restore momentum after a year of flat growth. The company is also trying to draw customers with new menu items, according to CNBC.
International expansion through partnerships is one piece of that strategy, CNBC reported. Chipotle and Alsea signed the Mexico development agreement last year as the chain prepared to enter the country.
Chipotle operates more than 4,100 restaurants worldwide, according to CNBC. Its current international footprint includes restaurants in parts of the Middle East and Europe.
The Mexico opening gives Chipotle a new test outside its core U.S. market, CNBC reported. The company’s plan starts in one of Mexico’s wealthiest metropolitan areas before moving into the capital in 2027.
This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.