Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has secured its first London location and is finalizing design and building plans. The restaurant, located at 114-116 Charing Cross Rd., will be Chipotle's first location in Europe and is slated to open in April of 2010.
"We are very encouraged by the prospects for Chipotle in the UK," said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-chief executive officer of Chipotle. "London has become an important food city over the years, especially because of the awareness of and desire for things like locally sourced, seasonal, and artisanal ingredients. We believe Londoners will appreciate our efforts to serve food that is raised right and in a way that is so accessible."
The majority of Chipotle's growth through 2010 will be in the United States, though the company continues to look for additional sites in London. Beyond its interest in the United Kingdom, Chipotle also has started to look for locations in Paris and Munich, but has not identified specific sites or released timelines for expansion into these markets.
The landlord for Chipotle's first London restaurant is London-based Estates & Agency Holdings Limited. The company is working with local brokerage firms in London, Paris and Munich to help identify potential locations as it looks for additional sites.
