Chipotle Mexican Grill made its Kuwait City debut earlier this month in partnership with international franchise retail operator Alshaya Group. The restaurant, located inside The Avenues, Kuwait’s largest shopping mall, has been operating with adjusted hours, is hosting its grand opening on Tuesday. The store marks the first time the company has entered a new country in over 10 years. It features an updated design with new materials, textures and artwork to amplify the company’s commitment to Food with Integrity while paying homage to historic designs.
“In partnership with Alshaya Group, we worked tirelessly to ensure that we delivered an exceptional first impression in Kuwait with our freshly prepared menu of real ingredients, and we are encouraged by the early results,” Chief Business Development Officer Nate Lawton said in a company press release. “Together, we’ll continue to gather insights on regional preferences and adapt accordingly as we grow our presence in the region and expand upon our mission to Cultivate a Better World.”
Consumers have long awaited Chipotle’s arrival in the Middle East, said John Hadden, CEO, Alshaya Group.
“The feedback we’ve received so far has confirmed that we’re delivering the same delicious culinary experience that guests have had in their U.S. locations,” he said in the release. “We’re proud to have introduced this popular American restaurant to Kuwait and we’re looking forward to Dubai later this year, as the first locations in our exclusive partnership with Chipotle.”
Expanding access
To simplify the ordering experience, the Kuwait restaurant offers three ordering methods, including:
- the traditional Chipotle fashion by progressing through the front makeline and ordering ingredient by ingredient
- Kiosks that execute pick-up orders and enables menu exploration.
- Tables featuring QR codes that drive guests to download the Alshaya Chipotle mobile app for pick-up orders.
Unveiling a new design
Design elements of the location include:
- Wood Tile Floor, which replaces the traditional concrete floor.
- Corten Art Wall featuring the Chipotle pepper.
- Corten Ceiling Element, a large-scale metal ceiling and lighting element that creates a layer of visual richness throughout the space.
- New wall finishes, surfaces and artisan materials are more textural and help impart a feeling of freshness.
In July 2023, Chipotle signed its first development agreement to open restaurants in partnership with the Alshaya Group. Chipotle and Alshaya plan to open the first Chipotle location in Dubai later this year. The chain’s international portfolio of owned and operated restaurants includes 41 locations in Canada; 19 in the United Kingdom; six locations in France and two in Germany. In North America, the company has over 3,400 restaurants and is targeting 8 to 10% growth per year for the foreseeable future with at least 80% including its drive-thru, digital order pick-up lane, Chipotlane.
Source: Fastcasual.com
