Chipotle CEO confirms opening of 345 new locations by 2026 and promises return of fan-favorite item

Chipotle CEO has confirmed that 345 new restaurants will open throughout the country by the end of the year.

The step of expansion in the chain of restaurants exceeds some of the major competitors in the fast food industry.

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At least, this is what the CEO of Scott Boatwright noted in calling Chipotle in the first quarter on Wednesday.

Boatwright told investors that restaurant openings “exceed the size and size of most of our competitors.”

While 345 is the goal of the target, Chipotle noticed a range between 315 and 345 per openings by 2026, with at least 80 % including Chipotlane.

Chipotlanes is noticeable in driving as customers can capture mobile or online applications that have been submitted early.

Internationally, the boats also noted that the company will add about 15 to 20 new restaurants in Canada and five others in the Middle East.

He added that Chipotle also reached a new development agreement with Alsea, the leading restaurant operator in the region, to bring restaurants to Mexico.

While no timetable or accurate amount of holes has been revealed, CEO indicated that Chipotle would open sites in the country in 2026.

Boatwright has also confirmed that Chipotle has fought through changes in consumer spending habits over the past few months.

“While the results of the first quarter were affected by many opposite winds, including weather and slowdown in consumer spending, our teams continue to make significant progress in improving implementation in our restaurants, creating our back, and building Chipotle in a distinctive global brand,” noted in the call.

However, she expressed confidence in the traffic traffic over the rest of the year, as Chipotle kept the cost of its most popular purposes, the chicken -based borritose and borrito, less than $ 10 on average.

This is 30 % lower than some competitors, for all CEO.

“I am sure that we have a strong plan to return to positive transactions companies by the second half of the year, and during these unsure times, we will continue to invest in things that make Chipotle a special brand – our people, cooking, value suggestion, innovation and growth.”

Introductory Hadith

The expected effects of the global mutual tariff announced by the Trump administration earlier in April by Chipotle CFO Adam Rymer were discussed.

Rimmer said that some increases in the expected sales later this year are likely to be compensated by “high inflation across several elements, the normalization of avocado prices, and the impact of newly enactive definitions …”

“We appreciate that these definitions will have a continuous impact of about 50 basis points, and because of the available stock, we expect an impact on the basis point 20 in the second quarter, which is included in our instructions.”

Rimmer explained that the estimates “do not include any impact of the definitions that were postponed” by Trump's stop for 90 days “or 25 % definitions on Mexico and Canada.”

Return again soon?

Customers may also be keen on knowing that they can soon see Chipotle honey chicken again when they disappear from the lists soon.

After the tests in 2024, it was available to order in the chain restaurants since March 6, 2025.

Boatwright indicated on Wednesday's profit call that Chipotle Honey Chicken was so successful that the company was “confident in returning it in the future.”

There was no sure exit history when Chipotle's chicken was, but it is likely to stay until May.

Chipotle also paid attention to other reasons in recent months.

In March, online rumors arose about the chain of restaurants that are likely to be submitted for bankruptcy after some closure.

The company also returned the Vault game this month, which gives customers a chance in Burritos Free Free for a year.