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Chipotle Mexican Grill will open its first restaurant in Mexico by early 2026 as part of a newly signed international development agreement to expand in the region.
The Newport Beach-based restaurant chain has partnered with Alsea, an operator of over 4,700 locations in Latin America and Europe, to develop a brick-and-mortar footprint in Mexico.
“The country’s familiarity with our ingredients and affinity for fresh food make it an attractive growth market for our company,” Chipotle’s Chief Business Development Officer Nate Lawton said in a statement.
Chipotle counts around 91 international locations and more than 3,700 in total. The company is expecting to add between 315 and 345 new locations companywide in 2025.
“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,” Alsea Chief Executive Armando Torrado said.
Alsea marks Chipotle’s second international partnership following its first agreement with Alshaya Group in 2023 to focus on expansion in the Middle East.
The restaurant company is ranked as Orange County’s second largest locally based chain with annual systemwide sales of $11.3 billion.