Franchising

Chipotle expanding to Asia

Photo: Chipotle

September 10, 2025

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced a joint venture with SPC Group on Wednesday to open its first restaurants in Asia, with initial locations planned for South Korea and Singapore in 2026.

The partnership with the South Korea-based food company marks Chipotle's latest international expansion. The fast casual chain also recently signed development agreements to open restaurants in the Middle East and Mexico.

"With a rapidly evolving dining-out business, fueled by preferences for variety and convenience, expanding into Asia presents an incredible growth opportunity for Chipotle," Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright said in a company press release.

Heesoo Hur, executive vice president and owner of SPC Group, highlighted the brand's existing popularity in the region.

"Given the familiarity of this iconic brand among Koreans and Singaporeans, and their passion for exceptional culinary experiences, these two markets are ideal entry points for Chipotle in Asia," Hur said in the release.

Chipotle's brand recognition in South Korea has grown in recent years, thanks in part to several popular K-pop artists who have publicly expressed their love for the chain. In 2021, a member of a best-selling K-pop group mistakenly referred to the brand as "Chicotle." In response, Chipotle temporarily changed its name on X, formerly Twitter, to "Chicotle" and gave away free entrees to fans in the U.S.

The company operates more than 3,800 restaurants globally, including more than 60 in Canada, 20 in the United Kingdom, six in France and two in Germany. It signed a development agreement with Alshaya Group in July 2023 to open restaurants in the Middle East, where there are currently three locations in Kuwait and three in the United Arab Emirates.

In April 2025, Chipotle signed an agreement with Alsea to open its first restaurants in Mexico, with the first location also set to open in 2026.

Chipotle aims to open between 315 and 345 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada this year, with a long-term goal of operating 7,000 locations in those two countries.