How Many Chipotle Locations Are There?

Last Updated on October 15, 2022 by Lauren Beck

If you’re wondering how many Chipotle locations there are in the United States, the answer is more than 3,000. That number includes both company-owned restaurants and those that are franchisee-operated. There are also international Chipotle locations in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.

The first Chipotle opened in Denver, Colorado in 1993. From those humble beginnings, the company has grown to be a leader in the fast-casual dining category. Chipotle is known for its burritos, tacos, and other Mexican-inspired dishes. The company prides itself on using high-quality ingredients and preparing food fresh in each restaurant.

Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, there’s likely a Chipotle nearby. The next time you’re in the mood for Mexican food, be sure to check out one of these popular restaurants.

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How Many Chipotle Stores Are There in the United States?

As of October 2022, there were 3,102 Chipotle restaurants in the United States. The majority of these locations are franchised (2,462), while the remaining 640 are company-owned.

Top 10 States With the Most Chipotle Stores

The following states have the most Chipotle locations.

California – 449
Texas – 273
Ohio – 222
Florida – 211
New York – 192
Illinois – 158
Virginia – 119
Pennsylvania – 111
Maryland – 103
Arizona – 90

The state with the most Chipotle restaurants is California, followed by Texas and Colorado. These three states alone account for more than 1,000 of the company’s locations in the United States.

While Chipotle is headquartered in Colorado, the state doesn’t even crack the top three when it comes to store count. This is likely due to the fact that the company has been aggressively expanding in other parts of the country in recent years.

States and Territories Without Any Chipotle Stores

There are a handful of states and territories without any Chipotle locations. These include:

Puerto Rico
Hawaii
Alaska
American Samoa
Guam
U.S. Virgin Islands
Northern Mariana Islands

Cities With the Most Chipotle Locations

The following cities have the most Chipotle restaurants.

New York, NY – 37
Los Angeles, CA – 36
Chicago, IL – 30
Houston, TX – 28
Dallas, TX – 27
Phoenix, AZ – 26
San Diego, CA – 25
San Antonio, TX – 23

Not surprisingly, the majority of these cities are large metropolitan areas with a large population. New York City, for example, has more than 8 million residents.

Chipotle History

Chipotle was founded in 1993 by Steve Ells. The first restaurant was opened in Denver, Colorado.

The company rapidly expanded in the early 2000s and became a publicly-traded company in 2006.

In recent years, Chipotle has faced challenges due to food safety scares. However, the company has worked hard to overcome these issues and regain the trust of its customers.

Looking to the future, Chipotle plans to continue expanding its reach both domestically and internationally. The company is also working on new menu items, such as a breakfast burrito, that it hopes will appeal to customers.

How Chipotle Makes Money?

Chipotle makes money through the sale of food and beverages at its restaurants. The company also generates revenue from franchise fees and royalties.

In addition, Chipotle has a growing catering business. This segment of the business accounted for approximately 10% of sales in 2019.

Alternatives to Chipotle

If you’re looking for an alternative to Chipotle, there are a few other fast-casual restaurants that offer similar menu items. These include:

Qdoba
Panda Express
Chick-fil-A
Noodles & Company
Moe’s Southwest Grill

While these restaurants all serve Mexican-inspired dishes, they each have their own unique twist. For example, Qdoba offers nachos and bowls in addition to burritos and tacos. Chick-fil-A, on the other hand, is known for its chicken sandwiches.

Why Isn’t Chipotle in Every State?

Chipotle is not in every state because the company has not yet expanded to all 50 states [1]. The company is actively expanding its reach and plans to open more locations in the future.

Chipotle is also not present in some states because of franchise restrictions. For example, the company does not currently have any franchised restaurants in New Jersey.

Conclusion

Chipotle is a popular fast-casual restaurant chain with more than 3000 locations in the United States. The company is headquartered in Colorado but has a significant presence in other parts of the country, including California, Texas, and Ohio. While Chipotle is not yet in every state, the company is actively expanding its reach.

Reference:

https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2018/01/08/chipotle-has-no-plans-to-open-in-hawaii.html

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Lauren Beck

Lauren Beck is a Food Science & Technology graduate, born and raised in NYC, but lived in Japan for more than eight years. Her love forAmerican food and Japanese culture led her to create Kitsune Restaurant. She loves taking walks with her dog - an American Akita she aptly named Hachiko. Learn more about us here or you can email us contact@kitsunerestaurant.com.