Chipotle's national expansion (1993–present)
Steve Ells opened the first Chipotle in Denver in 1993. The single burrito shop grew over the following decades into one of the largest fast-casual restaurant chains in the United States.
Chipotle expanded within Colorado before opening locations in new states.
It became a widely cited example of scaling a Mexican restaurant concept from one unit to a national chain.
Guac Time operates a single location on Long Island and is navigating New York City permitting for a Brooklyn site, an early-stage version of the expansion move Chipotle made from a single Denver shop.
