- In partnership with the Alshaya Group, a leading international
franchise retail operator, Chipotle's first location in the
Middle East has opened in
Kuwait
- This marks the first time Chipotle has entered a new country in
over 10 years
- The new restaurant debuts the company's latest design format
and offers a variety of in-restaurant ordering experiences that
help introduce Chipotle's menu offerings to new guests in the
region
- Alshaya Group plans to further accelerate Chipotle's
international growth by opening the company's first location in
Dubai later this
year, with a total of four new restaurants anticipated in 2024
NEWPORT
BEACH, Calif., April 22,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:
CMG) today announced the opening of its first location in
Kuwait City in partnership with
leading international franchise retail operator Alshaya Group.
The restaurant has been operating with adjusted hours since
the beginning of the month to account for holidays and training and
will hold its official grand opening on April 23. Chipotle's location in Kuwait marks the first time the company has
entered a new country in over 10 years.
The new restaurant is located at The Avenues, Kuwait's largest shopping mall and a hub for
international and local brands with over 1,100 stores and
approximately one million visitors per week*.
For photos and B-roll video of Chipotle's Kuwait City restaurant, see here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/untyp75stb06i84mo5j5c/AGr1V_1A2rBr0mgp6cTe3k8?rlkey=pct8qn1yz7m4c7q2366mpfxzi&st=3goiitg4&dl=0.
"In partnership with Alshaya Group, we worked tirelessly to
ensure that we delivered an exceptional first impression in
Kuwait with our freshly prepared
menu of real ingredients and we are encouraged by the early
results," said Chief Business Development Officer Nate Lawton. "Together, we'll continue to gather
insights on regional preferences and adapt accordingly as we grow
our presence in the region and expand upon our mission to Cultivate
a Better World."
John Hadden, Chief Executive
Officer, Alshaya Group, said: "Consumers have long awaited
Chipotle's arrival here in the Middle
East and the feedback we've received so far has confirmed
that we're delivering the same delicious culinary experience that
guests have had in their U.S. locations. We're proud to have
introduced this popular American restaurant to Kuwait and we're looking forward to
Dubai later this
year, as the first locations in our exclusive partnership with
Chipotle."
Expanding Access
To simplify its ordering
experience for new guests, the Kuwait restaurant in The Avenues Mall offers
three ordering methods:
- Guests can order their craveable burritos, bowls, tacos, and
salads in traditional Chipotle fashion by progressing through the
front makeline and ordering ingredient by ingredient.
- The Kuwait restaurant features
a kiosk ordering system that executes pick-up orders and enables
menu exploration for first time guests.
- Tables at the restaurant feature QR codes that drive guests to
download the Alshaya Chipotle mobile app for pick-up orders. This
method is especially convenient for large families ordering
multiple entrees.
- As a digital-only menu item, guests can order a quesadilla via
the kiosk or mobile app.
Unveiling a New Design
The new location in
Kuwait is the first Chipotle
restaurant featuring the company's all new design format. Over the
past several years, Chipotle's development team has been building
out concepts that deploy new materials, textures, and artwork to
amplify the company's commitment to Food with Integrity while
paying homage to historic designs. New elements include:
- Wood Tile Floor: replacing Chipotle's traditional concrete
floor, it fills the restaurant with warmth and rich patterns.
- Corten Art Wall: the legacy architectural material is
transformed into an elevated focal wall that heroes the iconic
Chipotle pepper.
- Corten Ceiling Element: this large-scale metal ceiling and
lighting element creates a layer of visual richness throughout the
space.
- New Wall Finishes: updated surfaces and artisan materials are
more textural and help impart a feeling of freshness.
Growing Chipotle's International Presence
In
July 2023, Chipotle signed its
first-ever development agreement to open restaurants in partnership
with the Alshaya Group. Chipotle and Alshaya plan to open the first
Chipotle location in Dubai later this year.
Chipotle's existing international portfolio of owned and
operated restaurants includes 41 locations in Canada; 19 in the United Kingdom; six locations in France; and two in Germany. In North
America, the company currently owns and operates over 3,400
restaurants and is targeting 8 to 10% growth per year for the
foreseeable future with at least 80% including a Chipotlane.
*M2R Group - The Avenues 2022 Report.
About Chipotle
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:
CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced,
classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without
artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle has over
3,400 restaurants in the United States, Canada,
the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Kuwait and it is the only restaurant company
of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants
in North America and Europe. Chipotle is ranked on
the Fortune 500 and is recognized on Fortune's Most Admired
Companies 2024 list and Time Magazine's Most Influential Companies.
With over 115,000 employees passionate about providing a great
guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in
the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more
accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a
demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and
sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an
order online, visit WWW.CHIPOTLE.COM.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in
this press release are forward-looking statements as defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including
statements under the heading "Growing Chipotle's
International Presence" and statements beginning with words
such as "plans," "expects" or "intends." The forward-looking
statements in this press release are based on currently available
operating, financial and competitive information available to us as
of the date of this release and we assume no obligation to update
these forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those described in the statements, including risk
factors described from time to time in our SEC reports, including
our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q,
all of which are available on the investor relations page of our
website at www.ir.Chipotle.com.
About Alshaya Group
Alshaya Group is a dynamic
family-owned enterprise, first established in Kuwait in 1890. With a consistent record of
growth and innovation, Alshaya Group is one of the world's leading
brand franchise operators, offering an unparalleled choice of
well-loved international brands to customers,
Alshaya Group's portfolio extends across MENA, Türkiye and
Europe, with thousands of stores,
cafes, restaurants and leisure destinations, as well as a large
scale online and digital business.
Operating in multiple sectors including Fashion, Food, Health
& Beauty, Pharmacy, Home Furnishings and Leisure &
Entertainment, Alshaya Group colleagues are united by a commitment
to authentically deliver great customer service and brand
experiences.
Fresh, modern and relevant, Alshaya's constantly evolving
portfolio reflects the choices and lifestyle of its customers. From
flagship stores and restaurants in prestige malls, through to local
coffee shops, drive-thrus and online, Alshaya Group brings
customers the brands they love in the places they want to
be. Learn more about Alshaya Group at www.alshaya.com.
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SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill