Chipotle opens first Asian restaurant in Seoul, plans Singapore launch by 2027

Chipotle launched its first restaurant in Asia in Seoul's Gangnam district through a joint venture with South Korean company Sangmidang Holdings, marking its first international expansion via partnership. The opening drew long lines and social media buzz, reflecting strong local interest in Mexican food. The joint venture aims to build a scalable model for growth in Asia, with plans to enter Singapore by the first half of 2027. This expansion taps into growing consumer openness to international cuisines in Asia, though competition and operational challenges remain.