American heavyweight fast food chain Chipotle to open raft of new restaurants on Britain's high streets

Joe Sledge
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:54:36 +0000

Chipotle Mexican Grill has opened a new restaurant at Westfield Stratford City, marking its first ever food court location in the UK.

The East London opening is the company’s first British launch of 2026 and will create 30 jobs in the local area.

The new site also includes an offer for customers, with the first 100 visitors receiving a free side of guacamole with their meal.

Chipotle, which was founded in 1993, now operates more than 4,000 restaurants globally, with the majority based in the United States.

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The company said it has seen strong performance in Britain over the past year, with the UK emerging as its leading European market following its strongest year on record in 2025.

Bosses are now planning to expand their presence in Britain by 20 per cent in 2026, with several additional locations already in development.

Anat Davidzon said the company would take a targeted approach when selecting future sites.

She said: "The opening in Stratford will be the first of 2026 and then we have a couple more already lined up this year."

"We had a really positive 2025 and are looking to grow the brand more in London following that."

Ms Davidzon said location strategy would focus on visibility and footfall.

She said: "We will take the time to select the right units, looking at those with high street visibility, ideally locations in central London with the dense foot traffic."

Central London remains a priority market for the chain, where it already operates around 20 sites.

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Looking ahead, Chipotle said it sees significant long-term growth potential across Europe.

The company identified London, Frankfurt and Paris as key cities for expansion, with ambitions to open hundreds of restaurants across the continent over time.

Chipotle’s growth comes amid a wider trend of American fast food brands expanding in the UK market.

Chains including Popeyes and Wingstop have also accelerated their British expansion plans in recent years.

Industry data shows that American brands accounted for 44 per cent of fast food visits in the UK in 2025, underlining their strong appeal among British consumers.

Nearly one in two fast food chains operating in the UK are now US-based, reflecting sustained demand for American dining concepts.

The UK has become an increasingly attractive market for international operators, with investors favouring established brands and vacant high street units providing opportunities for expansion.