Chipotle Mexican Grill posted first-quarter (Q1) 2026 revenue of $3.1bn, an increase of 7.4% compared with $2.88bn in the same period of 2025.

The increase in revenue was attributed to new restaurant openings.

Chipotle opened 49 company-owned restaurants during the quarter, with 42 of those locations incorporating a Chipotlane drive-through format.

Comparable restaurant sales also rose 0.5% for the three months ended 31 March 2026, supported by higher transaction volumes.

Digital sales accounted for 38.6% of total food and beverage takings.

However, the company’s quarterly net income declined to $302.8m, or $0.23 per diluted share, from $386.6m, or $0.28 per diluted share, a year earlier.

On an adjusted basis, net income came in at $316.2m or $0.24 per adjusted diluted share. This marks a drop from $396.8m, or $0.29 per adjusted diluted share, in Q1 2025.

Operating margin for the quarter narrowed to 12.9%, from 16.7% in the prior-year period.

Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.24, representing a 17.2% decline from $0.29.

Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright said: “Our first quarter exceeded expectations as we advanced our 'Recipe for Growth' strategy, delivering tangible progress across operations, digital, menu innovation, people, and development.”

For 2026, management expects comparable restaurant sales to be roughly unchanged from the prior year.

The group plans to launch between 350 and 370 new restaurants in 2026, including ten to 15 sites to be run by international partners. Around 80% of the new company-operated outlets are expected to feature a Chipotlane.

The company recently appointed Fernando Machado as its new chief brand officer. The appointment is set to become effective on 1 June 2026.