Chipotle Hits 4,000 Restaurants and Accelerates Global Growth
HOSPITALITY
Chipotle opens its 4,000th restaurant, located in Manhattan, Kansas.
It’s a moment of major celebration for one of the world's leading fast-casual dining brands. Chipotle Mexican Grill today announced a landmark achievement: the opening of its 4,000th restaurant. In a nod to its massive coast-to-coast growth, the milestone location is situated not in the "Big Apple," but in the "Little Apple", Manhattan, Kansas.
To commemorate reaching this significant midpoint in its long-term goal of operating 7,000 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada, Chipotle’s executive leadership team rang The Opening Bell® at The New York Stock Exchange this morning.
The Growth Engine
The journey from 2,300 to 4,000 locations has been a rapid and focused effort. Since CEO Scott Boatwright joined the company in 2017, Chipotle has added approximately 1,700 locations, increasing its restaurant count by over 70% in just eight years.
"Achieving 4,000 restaurants underscores the strength of our strategic initiatives and commitment to Cultivate a Better World," said Scott Boatwright, Chief Executive Officer. "Most importantly, our continued growth has allowed us to bring real food made with responsibly sourced ingredients to more communities throughout the world and create new career opportunities for our team members."
Tech and Throughput: The Store of the Future
The new Manhattan, Kansas location exemplifies the high-tech, high-efficiency design driving Chipotle’s growth strategy. It features two crucial modern innovations:
Chipotlane: The signature drive-thru pick-up lane allows guests to retrieve digital orders without leaving their cars, boosting convenience and throughput.
High-Efficiency Equipment Package: This suite of equipment, including a Three-Pan Rice Cooker, a Dual Sided Plancha, and a High-Capacity Fryer—is designed to simplify cooking processes for employees while maintaining the brand's high culinary standards and improving speed during peak hours.
"This location showcases more convenient access points, sustainable design features and equipment upgrades that elevate the experience for our team members and our guests," said Stephen Piacentini, Chief Development Officer.
Looking forward, Chipotle plans to open between 350 to 370 new restaurants in 2026, with an increased focus on international partner-operated locations in Mexico, South Korea, and Singapore.