Chipotle Mexican Grill is entering Saudi Arabia, opening its first restaurant in the Kingdom as the fast-casual chain accelerates an international expansion strategy that is increasingly relying on experienced local partners.
The restaurant, located at Sidra in Riyadh, marks Chipotle’s entry into Saudi Arabia and is being developed with Alshaya Group, the Kuwait-based international franchise operator that has been Chipotle’s exclusive Middle East franchise partner since 2023. The Riyadh location will serve Chipotle’s core menu of burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas and salads, with guests able to customize meals with proteins, rice, beans, salsas and toppings.
For Chipotle, Saudi Arabia is the latest step in a Middle East rollout that began in 2024. The company first entered the region through Alshaya with restaurants in Kuwait and the UAE, followed by expansion into Qatar. The partnership has now grown to 16 restaurants across the Middle East—seven in the UAE, seven in Kuwait and two in Qatar—before the Saudi opening.
Nate Lawton, Chipotle’s Chief Business Development Officer, said the Saudi expansion supports the company’s international growth strategy and described the country as one of the Middle East’s most dynamic consumer markets. He also pointed to Riyadh’s major shopping and leisure destinations as a strong setting for introducing the brand.
That international push is becoming an increasingly visible part of Chipotle’s growth model. In its second-quarter results, the company said it expects to open 350 to 370 restaurants in 2026, including 10 to 15 international partner-operated locations. Around 80% of new company-owned restaurants are expected to include a Chipotlane.
