Newport Beach, Calif. — Chipotle Mexican Grill will open its first restaurant in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) later this month in partnership with Alshaya Group, a leading international franchise retail operator. Located at Sidra, the premier dining destination in Riyadh next to the Granada Mall, the restaurant marks Chipotle’s entry into Saudi Arabia and another milestone in the company’s international growth strategy.
“We’re pleased to introduce Chipotle to guests in Saudi Arabia for the first time,” says Nate Lawton, chief business development officer at Chipotle. “Expanding into the Kingdom advances our international growth strategy and provides a compelling opportunity to serve one of the Middle East’s most dynamic consumer markets. Riyadh is home to one of the region’s leading shopping and leisure destinations, making it an exceptional place to introduce our brand to both local guests and international visitors. Together with Alshaya Group, we look forward to delivering the distinctive Chipotle experience and establishing a strong long term presence in the country.”
The opening builds on Chipotle’s continued expansion in partnership with Alshaya Group. Since 2024, Chipotle has opened 16 restaurants across the Middle East, including seven in the United Arab Emirates, seven in Kuwait and two in Qatar.
“Since its launch in the region over 2 years ago, Chipotle has surpassed all expectations to become one of our most loved brands,” says Jeff Kellen, president, hospitality division, at Alshaya Group.
Chipotle continues to expand its international footprint with more than 80 company-owned restaurants in Canada, 21 in the U.K., six in France and two in Germany. The company, in partnership with Alsea, a leading restaurant operator in Latin America, recently entered Mexico with its first restaurant in Nuevo León. Chipotle currently operates more than 4,200 restaurants worldwide and expects to open between 350 and 370 new restaurants in 2026, with a goal of operating 7,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.Chipotle.com.
Alshaya Group is a family-owned business first established in Kuwait in 1890. Alshaya Group is one of the world’s leading brand franchise operators, offering an unparalleled choice of over 50 well-loved, international brands to customers. Alshaya Group’s portfolio extends across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Türkiye and Europe, with over 3,500 stores, cafes, restaurants and leisure destinations, major logistics and food production operations. For more information, visit www.alshaya.com.
SOURCE: Chipotle Mexican Grill