Chipotle Mexican Grill will open first restaurant in Mexico in 2026

America’s favorite Mexican restaurant is about to test its formula with the real Mexican food experts when Chipotle Mexican Grill opens its first restaurant in Mexico 🇲🇽 in early 2026.

The global fast-casual chain has signed a development agreement with Alsea S.A.B. de C.V., a restaurant operator with thousand of restaurants from quick service, coffee shop and full-service brands in many countries in Latin America and Europe. If successful, and I have no doubt it will, Alsea will follow with additional restaurants in other Latin American markets in the region. Armando Torrado, CEO of Alsea plans to expand Chipotle internationally for years to come.

The deal with Alsea is similar to a deal that Chipotle made two years ago with the Alshaya Group, which together with Chipotle, has since opened three locations in Kuwait and two in the UAE.

Chipotle plans to open between 315 and 345 new locations in 2025. The chain will also accelerate growth in Canada and the Middle East in 2025, according to Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright.

The global chain ultimately plans to have as many as 7,000 restaurants across North America under the Chipotle banner. Known for its burritos and bowls, Chipotle currently has a presence in six international markets: Canada, the U.K., France, Germany, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Read more: Chipotle to open Mexican locations for the first time in 2026 (Fox Business)