Dee-Ann Durbin
Chipotle Mexican Grill is in Mexico.
The California-based chain said Monday that it plans to open a restaurant in Mexico early next year.
Chipotle is partnering with Alcy in Mexico City, a company that operates Domino’s, Starbucks, Burger King, Chile and other brands in South America and Europe. Alsie will explore additional expansions in Mexico and elsewhere in the area.
Chipotle Chief Business Development Officer Nate Lawton said the company is confident the menu will resonate with Mexican diners.
“A country that is well-versed in our affinity for our ingredients and fresh food will become an attractive growth market for us,” Lawton said in a statement.
But at least one US-based Mexican chain is struggling to make it in Mexico. Taco Bell opened several stores in Mexico City in 1992, but closed within two years. The brand opened another store in Monterrey, Mexico in 2007, but it also didn’t last long.
The expansion comes as President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Mexican imports could increase the costs of US Chipotle locations.
Last week, the US Department of Commerce said it plans to withdraw from its 2019 contract to halt anti-dump investigations on fresh tomato imports from Mexico. Its termination, set to take effect on July 14th, means that most tomatoes in Mexico will be subject to a 20.91% tariff.
Chipotle has earned about half of the avocados from Mexico, but so far they are not subject to customs duties.
Founded in Denver in 1993, Chipotle has 3,700 restaurants and plans to open up to 345 new locations this year.
It focuses on expanding its international footprint. Last year, they partnered with Alshaya Group to open a restaurant in Kuwait, their first new market in 10 years. Currently, there are three restaurants in Kuwait, two in the United Arab Emirates.
Original issue: April 21, 2025, 6:13pm EDT
