Chipotle Marks 32 Years Since Opening Its First Restaurant in Denver 13th July and why is it important

By Ayush Sachan

“When we opened, I thought we’d sell about 100 burritos a day,” Ells later recalled. “Pretty soon we were doing over 1,000.”

The inspiring story of how Chipotle became the Global brand as we know of it today.

Denver, July 13
It was on this day in 1993 that a small Mexican grill opened its doors near the University of Denver campus, unknowingly setting the stage for a global fast-casual revolution. Today, Chipotle Mexican Grill celebrates 32 years since the opening of its very first restaurant.

Founded by Steve Ells, a classically trained chef and Culinary Institute of America graduate, Chipotle started with a modest goal: serve high-quality, freshly prepared Mexican food quickly and affordably. Ells believed there was a market for gourmet-style burritos and tacos that didn’t require a sit-down, full-service restaurant experience.

The success of Chipotle can be understood by understanding there humble beginnings that was majorly fueled by word of mouth and a growing appetite for customizable, made-to-order meals. By focusing on simple menus, fresh ingredients, and a transparent kitchen model where customers could watch their food being prepared, Chipotle set itself apart from traditional fast-food chains.

The “Food with Integrity” campaign also helped solidify the chains strong foot in now a multibillion-dollar industry. The campaign was also about responsibly sourced meats, organic produce, and non-GMO ingredients long before such practices became mainstream. That just proved the seriousness that Chipotle has for providing people with fresh food.

From starting a single Denver storefront to now having over 3,400 locations across the United States, Canada, the UK, France, and Germany. It has offered local tastes by adapting to the location it is based in while also trying its very best in staying true to its true mission of providing people quality food.

You would be surprised to know at as of July 2025, Chipotle Mexican Grill is yet to open there first restaurant in India. There could be many reasons for Chipotle not being in India, be it Chipotle’s menu which is centered on beef, pork, and non-vegetarian protein-heavy bowls and burritos or Chipotle’s market focus, which has been consolidating operations in North America and Europe, focusing on digital growth, delivery, and drive-thrus.

So, if you see “Chipotle-style” bowls or burritos here, they’re typically local restaurants imitating the brand’s fast-casual format.