Chipotle

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is a prominent name in the fast-casual dining sector, known for its customizable menu of burritos, bowls, tacos, and salads, all crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The company was founded in 1993 by Steve Ells in Denver, Colorado. It started as a single restaurant near the University of Denver, funded by a loan from Ells' father. This humble beginning laid the foundation for a brand that quickly gained popularity due to its innovative service model, which allowed diners to personalize their meals, and its dedication to using naturally sourced ingredients.

In the late 1990s, Chipotle's growth was significantly bolstered by an investment from McDonald's, enabling the chain to expand from 16 locations in 1998 to over 500 by 2005. After McDonald's divested in 2006, Chipotle went public and continued its expansion, opening its first international restaurant in Toronto in 2008.

As of November 2025, Chipotle operates over 3,300 restaurants across the United States, Canada, and several European countries, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The company is headquartered in Newport Beach, California, and employs more than 110,000 people globally.

In recent years, Chipotle has maintained an aggressive expansion strategy, focusing on both traditional in-line stores and innovative formats like the Chipotlane drive-thru locations. These drive-thrus have been particularly successful in enhancing digital sales and accommodating off-premise dining, aligning with current dining trends. The brand is actively targeting new locations in both established and emerging markets, leveraging its robust digital infrastructure and consistent operations to support its rapid growth.

Chipotle's extensive scale, reliable operations, and strong consumer loyalty position it as a significant player in the fast-casual dining landscape. For landlords and developers, Chipotle represents a stable and credible tenant with a proven track record of successful expansion, making it an attractive partner in the commercial real estate market.