How Chipotle is run
Chipotle owns and operates all of its restaurants in the US and Canada. At the end of 2025 it owned 3,938 restaurants in the US and 104 outside it. (Chipotle annual report, 2025)
Outside the US
In the Middle East, 14 Chipotle restaurants were run by the Alshaya Group at the end of 2025. Chipotle plans more partner-run restaurants in the Middle East, Mexico and Asia. (Chipotle annual report, 2025)
Franchises like Chipotle
If you want to own a Mexican fast casual business, these franchise brands sell the closest thing to Chipotle, largest first.
| Brand | Cost to open | Fee | Royalty | Locations | Sales a location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QdobaFee $40K · Royalty 5% · Sales $1.7M a location | $548K–$1.29M | $40K | 5% | 827+94 in 3 yrs | $1.7M |
| Moe's Southwest GrillFee $36K · Royalty 5% · Sales $1.18M a location | $644K–$1.97M | $36K | 5% | 568−69 in 3 yrs | $1.18M |
| Fuzzy's Taco ShopFee $40K · Royalty 5% of gross sales · Sales $1.61M a location | $1.05M–$3.04M | $40K | 5% of gross sales | 106−31 in 3 yrs | $1.61M |
| Bubbakoo's BurritosFee $35K · Royalty 6% · Sales $932K a location | $331K–$700K | $35K | 6% | 98+66 in 3 yrs | $932K |
| Costa VidaFee $30K · Royalty 6% · Sales $2.16M a location | $675K–$1.34M | $30K | 6% | 93+2 in 3 yrs | $2.16M |
| PancherosFee $30K · Royalty 5% of gross revenue · Sales $1.6M a location | $755K–$1.55M | $30K | 5% of gross revenue | 73−1 in 3 yrs | $1.6M |
| Baja FreshFee $30K · Royalty 5% plus weekly surcharge · Sales $823K a location | $429K–$1.03M | $30K | 5% plus weekly surcharge | 68−16 in 3 yrs | $823K |
| Chronic TacosFee $30K · Royalty 6% + minimum · Sales $959K a location | $284K–$909K | $30K | 6% + minimum | 25−12 in 3 yrs | $959K |
Locations are US locations, franchised and company-owned, at the end of the latest year filed. Sales are yearly, before costs, where the brand publishes them.
Qdoba is the largest, with 827 US locations, and Chronic Tacos costs least to open, from $284,000. Qdoba added the most locations, +94 over 3 years. Of the brands that publish sales, Costa Vida reports the most per location, $2.16M a year. The typical mexican food franchise starts at $457K to open; see where the money goes.
Sources
Questions
Which of these Mexican fast casual franchises loses the fewest owners?
Qdoba. About 2.1% of its franchised locations a year closed, were terminated or weren't renewed over the years its latest filing covers, against 17.8% a year at Chronic Tacos. Buy-backs by the franchisor and sales to new owners don't count as exits. Failure rates by brand
Is there a cheaper way into a Mexican fast casual franchise like Chipotle?
Yes, a smaller format. Qdoba lists a non-traditional unit from $235K, against $548K for its standard location. Formats like these go into sites such as campuses, airports or other businesses, so there are fewer of them and they usually sell less.