One of the most popular and growing restaurant chains in the U.S. has just announced plans to build up to 345 new locations by the end of the year.
Based in Newport Beach, California, Chipotle Mexican Grill, otherwise known by the shorthand Chipotle, has already seen explosive growth, going from around 500 locations in 2005 to well above the 3,700 today.
Now the company, in a move that it says is designed to respond to its digital orders, wants to build new locations almost everywhere in the country, with most of the new facilities featuring what is called the Chipotlane used primarily for delivery drivers.
Earlier this year the company reported that its total earnings for 2024 had exceeded $11.3 billion, representing a 14.6 % increase over the previous year. In just the final quarter of 2024, Chipotle realized revenue of $2.8 billion, a 13.1% jump over late 2023.
In remarks delivered at the time of the company’s revenue statement, Scott Boatwright, chief executive officer of Chipotle, said the company was “gaining momentum in key industry leading brand metrics.”
Boatwright also said that Chipotle has a “long term ambitious goal of reaching 7,000 restaurants in North America.”
One of the reasons why Chipotle has become so popular, especially with college-age diners, notes the publication The Street, is because it offers “high quality ingredients,” including “fresh avocados, tomatoes, lettuce, cauliflower rice, and house-made salad, with seemingly endless customization options.”
The company has for years had a well-established presence in the Southwest, with around 500 restaurants currently in California, just over 100 in Arizona, nearly 90 in Colorado, and well over 300 in Texas.
New locations in the last month have been announced for Corpus Christi, Texas; Framingham, Massachusetts; and Jacksonville, Florida.
The typical Chipotle restaurant measures anywhere from 2,200 square feet to 2,500 square feet. Those restaurants are designed in a utilitarian manner with an emphasis on corrugated metal, stainless steel, and plywood.
May 16, 2025
By Garry Boulard
