BIG MILESTONE IN THE "LITTLE APPLE:" CHIPOTLE OPENS ITS 4,000TH RESTAURANT, LOCATED IN MANHATTAN, KANSAS

Rhea-AI Summary

Chipotle (NYSE: CMG) opened its 4,000th restaurant in Manhattan, Kansas on Dec 12, 2025 and marked the milestone with an NYSE Opening Bell event.

The location features a Chipotlane drive-thru and a new High-Efficiency Equipment Package to boost throughput and streamline kitchen prep. Since 2017 the company added about 1,700 locations, a ~70% increase. Management projects 315–345 openings in 2025 (≥80% with Chipotlane) and anticipates 350–370 openings in 2026, plus expansion agreements in Mexico, South Korea and Singapore.

Positive

• 4,000 restaurants reached on Dec 12, 2025
• ≈1,700 net locations added since 2017 (≈70% growth)
• 315–345 restaurants planned for full-year 2025
• 350–370 restaurants targeted for 2026
• ≥80% of 2025 openings expected to include Chipotlane
• 100+ restaurants operating outside the U.S. (including 75 Canada)

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Current price $34.87 Pre-news close for CMG

52-week range $29.75–$66.74 52-week low and high for CMG

Restaurant count 4,000 locations Total restaurants after Manhattan, Kansas opening

Long-term goal 7,000 restaurants Target for U.S. and Canada units

Locations added 1,700 locations Added since 2017 under current leadership

Restaurant growth 70% increase Restaurant count growth over eight years

2025 openings plan 315–345 restaurants Expected 2025 new restaurant openings

International stores Over 100 restaurants Locations outside the U.S.

Market Reality Check

$34.87 Last Close

Volume Volume 16,669,927 vs 20-day average 19,331,220 (relative volume 0.86) normal

Technical Shares at $34.87, trading below 200-day MA of $45.15 and 47.75% under 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

CMG gained 2.74% with several restaurant peers also positive (e.g., DRI +1.81%, YUMC +1.32%, SBUX +0.62%), while QSR slipped 0.31%, pointing to broadly supportive but mixed sector sentiment.

Common Catalyst Limited same-day peer news; one buyback headline at YUMC without a clear shared catalyst.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 04	Brand collaboration	Positive	+0.7%	Launch of travel capsule collection with BÉIS for Chipotle fans.
Dec 02	Earnings date notice	Neutral	-0.6%	Announcement of Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings release and call.
Dec 01	Promotional campaign	Positive	-0.8%	December BOGO and rewards offers including Unwrap Extra promotion.
Nov 25	Board appointment	Positive	+7.1%	Appointment of Josh Weinstein to the board and governance committee.
Nov 20	Promotional offer	Positive	-2.1%	Thanksgiving Eve BOGO and holiday delivery/discount promotions.

Pattern Detected

Recent promotional and partnership news produced modest or negative moves, while governance/capital-related updates, such as the November board appointment, saw a stronger positive reaction.

Recent Company History

Over the past few weeks, CMG has issued frequent brand and corporate updates. Promotional campaigns and collaborations in late November and early December (news tag) saw small to negative next-day moves between about -2.1% and +0.65%. In contrast, the board appointment on Nov 25 drove a stronger +7.09% reaction. Today’s milestone of reaching 4,000 restaurants continues the growth narrative highlighted in prior filings and openings guidance.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights CMG reaching 4,000 restaurants, moving further toward its long-term 7,000-unit goal in the U.S. and Canada. The company plans 315–345 openings in 2025 and 350–370 in 2026, including international expansion, while also introducing efficiency-focused kitchen equipment. Investors may track whether actual opening numbers, international growth, and operational metrics from future filings continue to support this scaling strategy and justify the stock’s position below its 200-day average.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

• Chipotle is now over halfway to its long-term goal of operating 7,000 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada
• Since CEO Scott Boatwright joined Chipotle in 2017, the company has added approximately 1,700 locations, increasing its restaurant count by more than 70%

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Dec. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today announced the opening of its 4,000th restaurant, located in Manhattan, Kansas, known as the "Little Apple." To commemorate this achievement, Chipotle's executive leadership team and restaurant leaders will ring The Opening Bell® at The New York Stock Exchange today at 9:30 a.m. ET in the "Big Apple."

For additional images and B-roll video of Chipotle's 4,000^th restaurant, see here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/grt72jc9ufzea50upo0bv/ABv9OXFSA-nlT6-ahZZFA6A?rlkey=n7m71epuvqdf8e6x68do0i5em&st=pfnarc62&dl=0.

The new Manhattan, Kansas restaurant includes the brand's signature Chipotlane, a drive-thru pick-up lane that allows guests to retrieve digital orders without leaving their cars. It also features Chipotle's new High-Efficiency Equipment Package, which consists of a Three-Pan Rice Cooker that enables higher cooking volumes and consistent batching, a Dual Sided Plancha that reduces cook time for steak, chicken and fajita veggies, a High-Capacity Fryer that improves throughput for fresh chips, and a Produce Slicer that automates the slicing of produce to streamline prep. The package allows staff to be deployed more effectively during peak hours and is designed to simplify cooking processes for employees while maintaining Chipotle's high culinary standards.

"Our 4,000th restaurant in Manhattan, Kansas is both a milestone for our growth and a celebration of the guests who have asked us to bring Chipotle to their communities," said Stephen Piacentini, Chief Development Officer. "This location showcases more convenient access points, sustainable design features and equipment upgrades that elevate the experience for our team members and our guests."

Chipotle's Continued Growth
Since current CEO Scott Boatwright joined Chipotle in 2017 as Chief Restaurant Officer, the company has grown from over 2,300 restaurants to 4,000 locations, a 70% increase in only eight years. Chipotle will open between 315 to 345 restaurants for the full year 2025, with at least 80% featuring a Chipotlane. For 2026, management is anticipating 350 to 370 new restaurant openings, including 10 to 15 international partner-operated locations.

"Achieving 4,000 restaurants underscores the strength of our strategic initiatives and commitment to Cultivate a Better World," said Scott Boatwright, Chief Executive Officer. "Most importantly, our continued growth has allowed us to bring real food made with responsibly sourced ingredients to more communities throughout the world and create new career opportunities for our team members."

Chipotle's International Expansion
To date, Chipotle has over 100 restaurants outside the U.S., including 75 in Canada, 28 in Europe and 11 partner-operated locations in the Middle East. Last month, in partnership with Alshaya Group, the first Chipotlane outside of North America opened at Bneid Al Gar in Kuwait. Additionally, the company signed a development agreement to open restaurants in Mexico for the first time next year with Alsea, S.A.B. de C.V. (Alsea), a leading restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe. Through a joint venture with SPC Group, a leading South Korea-based food company, the first Chipotle restaurants in South Korea and Singapore are also scheduled to open in 2026.

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. There are over 3,900 restaurants as of September 30, 2025, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Middle East and it is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. With over 130,000 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 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 about the timing of openings the first Chipotle restaurants in Mexico, South Korea and Singapore, Chipotle's plans to open between 350 to 370 new restaurants in 2026, including 10 to 15 international partner-operated locations, and its long-term target of operating 7,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada. We use words such as "anticipate," "expect," "believe," "could," "should," "may" and similar terms to identify forward-looking statements. 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 the risks 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 ir.chipotle.com.

 

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SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill

FAQ

What does Chipotle's (CMG) 4,000th restaurant announcement mean for growth targets?

The milestone shows progress toward a long-term 7,000-restaurant goal; management reported ~70% growth since 2017.

How many new restaurants is Chipotle (CMG) planning for 2025 and 2026?

Chipotle guided to 315–345 openings in 2025 and anticipates 350–370 openings in 2026.

What proportion of Chipotle (CMG) 2025 openings will include a Chipotlane?

Management expects at least 80% of 2025 openings to feature a Chipotlane drive-thru pickup lane.

What operational upgrades were included at the Manhattan, Kansas Chipotle (CMG)?

The restaurant includes a Chipotlane and a High-Efficiency Equipment Package (rice cooker, dual plancha, high-capacity fryer, produce slicer).

How much has Chipotle (CMG) grown since CEO Scott Boatwright joined in 2017?

Chipotle grew from over 2,300 restaurants to 4,000—about a 70% increase since 2017.

Where is Chipotle (CMG) expanding internationally after the 4,000th restaurant milestone?

The company cited >100 international restaurants and signed development deals for Mexico, plus joint-venture openings in South Korea and Singapore.