Foodies of Dubai, we have some spec-taco-lar news for you! American fast food chain Chipotle has announced they’ll be landing in Dubai next year. The Mexican Grill franchise known for their burritos, bowls, tacos and quesadillas have signed a franchise deal with UAE-based Alshaya Group to launch restaurants in the Middle East.
As part of the deal, new restaurants will be up and running in Dubai, and neighbouring Kuwait, in early 2024. No fixed dates have been finalised yet but you’ll be the first to know the minute we get wind of it.
Why’s Chipotle such a big deal?
For the uninitiated, here’s a primer on what all the buzz is about. Think of Chipotle as the McDonald’s of Mexican-inspired food, serving up affordable quick meals you can eat on the go. Its signature feature is the assembly line serving set-up that lets customers pick and choose what goes into their meals and watch it happen live.
While Chipotle outlets have existed outside of the US in countries like the UK, Germany and France, this is the brand’s first foray into the Middle East. They’re partnering with Alshaya Group – the folks who brought global F&B brands Starbucks, The Cheesecake Factory and Shake Shack to Dubai.
The casual fast food chain boasts some big celebrity fans, from skateboarder Tony Hawk to singer Olivia Rodrigo who’s rumoured to have the infamous Chipotle celebrity card – a lifetime access card that grants the user one year of unlimited free food at Chipotle.
Will Chipotle Middle East roll out similar perks in Dubai? We’ll have to wait and watch.
Since its humble beginning in 1993 as a burrito store outside of the University of Denver by chef Steve Ells, the restaurant chain has come a long way, with over 3,200 restaurants around the world. Details about the locations in Dubai that will be home to this popular burrito place are still under wraps but bookmark this page for more updates!