MEXICO CITY — Chipotle Mexican Grill is crossing the border in a big way, announcing plans to open its very first restaurant in Mexico. The location will be in Nuevo Leon, a northern Mexican state that shares a border with the United States.
The news came Tuesday from Alsea, the local company that will serve as Chipotle’s development and expansion partner in the country. Alsea is no stranger to big-name restaurant brands — its portfolio already includes Domino’s Pizza, Starbucks, and Burger King across Europe and Latin America, with more than 4,830 locations under its management.
The first Chipotle in Mexico is scheduled to swing open its doors on Thursday in Nuevo Leon.
In a formal statement, Alsea described the milestone this way: “The opening of this first restaurant represents the beginning of Chipotle’s growth strategy in Mexico.”
The company also pointed to strong business potential in the country, saying Mexico’s market has “high potential for the development of innovative proposals within the quick-service restaurant segment.”
Chipotle currently runs more than 4,100 restaurants around the world, offering customers a menu built around burritos, bowls, tacos, and salads.
Alsea operates across a wide footprint that includes Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, France, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Uruguay.
