American restaurant chain Chipotle to open first Southeast Asian store

American fast-casual chain Chipotle will enter Singapore next year with a restaurant at Jewel Changi Airport, its first outlet in Southeast Asia.

The restaurant, which specializes in customizable Mexican-inspired food, will be on Level 2 of the mall, according to Channel News Asia.

Diners will be able to choose from Chipotle’s customizable menu of burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas and salads, the company said in a release.

Chipotle’s operations in Singapore and South Korea will be managed by S&C Restaurants Holdings, a joint venture between Chipotle and Big Bite Company, an affiliate of Sangmidang Holdings.

South Korea-based Sangmidang Holdings also operates Shake Shack and Paris Baguette in Singapore.

Chipotle opened its first restaurant in Asia on Sep 2 on Seoul’s Gangnam-daero. Its second location opened on Oct. 28 at Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam in Sweet Park.

"Singapore’s vibrant food culture and appreciation for high-quality ingredients make it an exciting market for Chipotle," said Hee Soo Hur, president and chief vision officer of Sangmidang Holdings, as reported by The Straits Times.

"What sets Chipotle apart is its commitment to real food, prepared fresh every day, and the ability for every guest to customise their meal exactly how they want it. We look forward to bringing that distinctive Chipotle experience to Singapore and introducing more guests to the brand."

Founded in Denver, Colorado, in 1993, Chipotle has more than 4,200 restaurants in the U.S. and operates in countries including Canada, the U.K., France, Germany and Mexico.

Chipotle’s Singapore entry follows the arrival in recent years of other international food and beverage brands, including American fast-food chain Chick-fil-A and Korean burger brand Lotteria.