Alshaya Group Expands Chipotle’s Middle East Presence With First Saudi Arabia Opening

Alshaya Group, the leading international retail franchise operator in the region announced the official opening of the first Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) restaurant in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

The launch marks a major milestone in Chipotle’s continued expansion across the Middle East, bringing the brand’s responsibly sourced, classically cooked real food to guests in Saudi Arabia for the first time.

Located at Sidra, a popular dining destination in the heart of the Kingdom’s capital located next to Granada Mall, the first Chipotle restaurant in Saudi Arabia welcomes guests in Riyadh with the brand’s signature menu of burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, and salads, all made with real ingredients and prepared fresh in an open kitchen. Guests can personalise their meals with a choice of proteins, rice, beans, salsas, toppings, and Chipotle’s famous guacamole, bringing the brand’s distinctive made-to-order experience to Saudi Arabia for the first time.

Nate Lawton, Chief Business Development Officer at Chipotle, said: “Opening our first restaurant in Saudi Arabia is an exciting step in Chipotle’s international growth journey. Riyadh is a vibrant, fast-growing city with a dynamic dining scene, and we are proud to introduce guests here to our responsibly sourced, classically cooked real food. Together with Alshaya Group, we look forward to building a strong connection with Saudi guests and creating the same distinctive Chipotle experience that our fans around the world know and love.”

John Hadden, CEO at Alshaya Group, said: “We are delighted to celebrate Chipotle’s official arrival in Saudi Arabia with the opening of its first restaurant in Riyadh. This launch reflects our commitment to bringing world-leading brands and exceptional dining experiences to our customers across the region. We know there has been strong anticipation for Chipotle in KSA, and we are excited for guests to enjoy its fresh, flavourful, real-ingredient menu for the very first time.”

The Saudi Arabia launch builds on Chipotle’s growing presence in the region through its partnership with Alshaya Group. Since entering the Middle East in 2024, Chipotle now has 17 restaurants across the GCC, including seven each in the UAE and Kuwait, two in Qatar, and its first location in Saudi Arabia, bringing its distinctive fast-casual dining experience to more guests across the region. This momentum is set to continue in 2027, with Chipotle planning to launch in Bahrain and further expand in Saudi Arabia with a new location in Jeddah.

Chipotle’s existing international portfolio of owned and operated restaurants includes locations across Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, as well as partner locations in the Middle East and Mexico. In North America, the Company continues to pursue significant long-term growth, supported by its commitment to responsibly sourced ingredients, culinary innovation, and digital convenience.