Chipotle Mexican Grill is entering the Mexican market with the opening of its first restaurant in the country on July 16 in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, part of the Monterrey metropolitan area.
The launch, carried out in partnership with restaurant operator Alsea, marks a key milestone in the company’s international expansion strategy and brings Chipotle’s customizable menu of burritos, bowls, salads, tacos and quesadillas to Mexican consumers.
The restaurant is the first to open under the development agreement Chipotle and Alsea announced in April 2025. The companies plan to open additional locations across Nuevo León later this year before expanding 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.”
Chipotle executives said the company intends to use the first restaurant as an opportunity to better understand local consumer preferences before accelerating its expansion across the country.
“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 will serve Chipotle’s core menu, prepared throughout the day using the company’s established cooking methods and ingredient standards. Chipotle said it sources many ingredients from suppliers across the region and remains committed to serving food made without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
The company selected the Monterrey metropolitan area for its Mexican debut because of its expanding economy, growing population and reputation as one of the country’s leading business and innovation centers. The opening represents the first stage of a broader expansion strategy as Chipotle and Alsea assess opportunities in 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.
The Mexico launch builds on Chipotle’s broader international expansion efforts. The company signed its first international development agreement in July 2023 with Alshaya Group to establish restaurants in the Middle East. Alshaya currently operates 15 Chipotle restaurants across the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar. In September 2025, Chipotle also announced a joint venture with South Korea’s SPC Group to introduce the brand to Asia, with plans to open its first restaurant in South Korea later this year and in Singapore early next year.
Outside the US and Canada, Chipotle operates more than 80 company-owned restaurants in Canada, 20 in the UK, six in France and two in Germany. Globally, the company operates more than 4,100 restaurants and expects to open between 350 and 370 new locations in 2026 as it pursues its long-term “Recipe for Growth” strategy, which includes a goal of operating 7,000 restaurants across the US and Canada.
Find out more at: https://www.chipotle.com/