• by Teresa Buyikian , April 22, 2025

After focusing almost exclusively on the U.S. since its launch in 1993, Chipotle is finally making moves south of the border.

The 3,700-unit chain has signed a development deal and partnered with restaurant operator Alsea to launch a new location in Mexico by “early 2026.” Alsea also operates Domino’s, Starbucks, Burger King, Chili’s and other brands across Latin America and Europe.

"We are confident that our responsibly sourced, classically cooked real food will resonate with guests in Mexico," said Chipotle’s Chief Business Development Officer Nate Lawton in the brand’s announcement. "The country's familiarity with our ingredients and affinity for fresh food make it an attractive growth market for our company."

The Mexico expansion comes as Trump continues his tariff war with the world. Chipotle goes through 129.5 million pounds per year of avocados, which were recently subject to a 25% tariff, later paused on “goods compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.” Half of Chipotle’s avocados come from Mexico, while the other half is a supply from Colombia, Peru and the Dominican Republic, per CNBC.

The Mexico Chipotle stores are representative of the chain’s growing global footprint, as it partnered with Alshaya Group to open a restaurant in Kuwait last year, which was its first new market in over 10 years. The brand now has three locations in Kuwait and two in the United Arab Emirates, with 58 locations in Canada; 20 in the United Kingdom; six locations in France and two in Germany. Chipotle plans to open between 315 and 345 new restaurants this year, with a long-term goal of 7,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada, per the announcement.

Chipotle isn’t the first U.S. Mexican chain to try to make it in Mexico. Taco Bell attempted to launch in Mexico City with several units in 1992, but all closed within a few years, per the Associated Press. Taco Bell tried again with a store in Monterrey, Mexico, in 2007, which also shuttered soon after opening.