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Chipotle is partnering with Alsea in Mexico City, a company that
operates Domino’s, Starbucks, Burger King, Chili’s and other
brands in South America and Europe. Alsea plans to explore
additional expansion in Mexico and other locations in the
region.
Nate Lawton, Chipotle’s chief business development officer, said
the company is confident that its menu will resonate with
Mexican diners.
“The country’s familiarity with our ingredients and affinity for
fresh food make it an attractive growth market for our company,"
Lawton said in a statement.
But at least one U.S.-based Mexican chain has struggled to make
it in Mexico. Taco Bell opened a few outlets in Mexico City in
1992 but they closed within two years. The brand opened another
store in Monterrey, Mexico, in 2007 which also didn't last.
The expansion arrives as President Donald Trump’s tariffs on
Mexican imports could increase costs for U.S. Chipotle
locations.
Last week, the U.S. Commerce Department said it plans to
withdraw from a 2019 agreement suspending an antidumping
investigation into fresh tomato imports from Mexico. That
termination, set to take effect July 14, means most tomatoes
from Mexico will be subject to a 20.91% tariff.
Chipotle gets around half of its avocados from Mexico, but so
far those are not subject to tariffs.
Chipotle, which was founded in Denver in 1993, has 3,700
restaurants and plans to open up to 345 new locations this year.
It has been focused on growing its international footprint. Last
year, it partnered with Alshaya Group to open a restaurant in
Kuwait, its first new market in a decade. It now has three
restaurants in Kuwait and two in the United Arab Emirates.
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