Chipotle will be doubling the amount of Alberta restaurants this year
Chipotle has been chipping away at its Canadian expansion for over 15 years. Despite entering Canada in Toronto in 2008, the brand didn’t open its first location in Alberta until 2023.
When it opened its first Calgary location in Sunridge, it was clear there was a demand for Chipotle, with the location breaking the chain’s single-day record for opening-day sales in its entire 30-year history.
Now, the company operates three stores in YYC and three more in Edmonton, but according to Anat Davidzon, Chipotle’s managing director of international, there’s plenty more to come.
Speaking to Dished, Davidzon said Chipotle would be doubling its presence across Alberta in 2025, bringing the total number of restaurants in the province to over 10.
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Earlier this year, Chipotle opened its third Edmonton outpost at 891 Tamarack Way. While Chipotle’s expansion has been largely focused on the suburbs of each city so far, both cities will start to see more inner-city locations this year.
“When we looked at the strategy of opening new Calgary and in Edmonton, which are the main big cities in Alberta, we mapped both cities and determined which trade areas we would like to be in,” Davidzon said.
In Calgary, there are currently three outposts in the Northeast, Seton, and Northland Mall. There will also be more Chipotle locations in prime locations, such as its soon-to-open 17th Avenue spot.
“As you’ll see this year, we’re filling in the gap between the Northeast and the other two that we have today, which are not really central. You’ll see a lot more central restaurants together with some of the suburbs,” she explained.
This year is set to be a big year for Chipotle, opening around 20 restaurants across Canada while also focusing on its current markets in Ontario, B.C. and Alberta, and that level of growth is set to continue for the next couple of years.
“We’re anticipating seeing more than 20 restaurants a year, but maintaining a similar growth rate,” Davidzon said.
“Our focus is going to remain in the provinces we’re operating today… but that’s the plan for the next one to three years.”