Chipotle Mexican Grill has opened at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. It is the brand’s third restaurant in the UAE with the Alshaya Group. Doors open 10:00 to 23:00 on weekdays, and until 00:00 on weekends. The site spans 237.7 square metres. It follows a steady rollout across the Gulf that started in April 2024. Another branch is scheduled to open in Doha in September.
What’s new at Yas Mall
Chipotle is now open at Yas Mall. It is the third UAE location run by Alshaya Group.
- Location: Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi
- Floor area: 237.7 m²
- Weekday hours: 10:00–23:00 (GST)
- Weekend hours: 10:00–00:00 (GST)
This site adds another option for quick, custom burritos, bowls, tacos and salads on Abu Dhabi’s main retail strip. Hours are set for mall trade. Weekdays run until 23:00. Weekends push to midnight. The footprint is sizable for a fast casual restaurant, which should help alleviate queues at peak times.
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GCC rollout with Alshaya Group
Chipotle’s Middle East push started last year and is tracking upwards.
- First GCC opening: April 2024 at The Avenues, Kuwait
- Six restaurants since then: 3 in Kuwait, 3 in the UAE
- Next confirmed site: Villaggio Mall, Doha, in September 2025
- More openings are planned by the end of 2025 in the UAE and Kuwait
The Alshaya partnership is doing the heavy lifting here. The chain re-entered international expansion mode in April 2024 with Kuwait. Since then, the footprint has expanded to six locations across Kuwait and the UAE. The next stop is Qatar with Villaggio Mall in September. Alshaya is signalling more UAE and Kuwait sites before year-end. That points to a measured, mall-led rollout, with operations and supply already in place.
Chipotle’s global footprint and targets
The brand’s wider numbers explain the pace and priorities.
- Over 3,800 restaurants as of 30 June 2025 across the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Kuwait and UAE
- International owned-and-operated: 60+ Canada, 20 UK, 6 France, 2 Germany
- North America plan: 8–10% annual growth; long-term 7,000 locations
- New openings this year: 315–345 restaurants
- Format mix: at least 80% with a Chipotlane (drive‑through pickup)
Chipotle still makes most of its money in North America, and it owns and operates all sites there and across Europe. The growth algorithm is simple: open 8–10% more stores each year, keep digital orders flowing, and add Chipotlanes where possible. GCC markets sit alongside Europe as the next wave, with franchise expertise from Alshaya handling the buildout.
Menu basics and sourcing
The model stays the same across markets: cooked-to-order ingredients, assembled fast.
- Custom bowls, burritos, tacos and salads
- Real ingredients with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives
- Focus on digital ordering alongside in-restaurant service
Chipotle leans on a short menu and simple assembly. That keeps service quick and consistent. The brand highlights “classically cooked” food and a sourcing stance that avoids artificial additives. Digital ordering is a core habit for the customer base in North America and carries over in new markets. If you want the origin story, menu and allergen notes, head to its website.
FAQs
When did Chipotle at Yas Mall open?
31 August 2025.
What are the opening hours in Abu Dhabi?
Weekdays 10:00 to 23:00, weekends 10:00 to 00:00.
How many Chipotle restaurants are in the UAE right now?
As of 31 August 2025, three. Two in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi
