If you saw headlines claiming Chipotle is filing for bankruptcy or closing down restaurants, you’re not alone.
The internet lit up this week with viral posts warning fans to “say goodbye” to their burrito bowls. But the truth is far less dramatic, and the guac isn’t going anywhere.
The Rumor That Sparked a Social Media Spiral
The panic seems to have started overseas, when a Madrid-based media outlet published a story that mistakenly suggested Chipotle was going bankrupt and closing restaurants. In reality, the report referred to the closure of Farmesa Fresh, a Chipotle-backed ghost kitchen venture that quietly wrapped up in 2024.
The headline was misleading, and once translated and shared online, it triggered widespread confusion. Popular social media accounts amplified the claim, and suddenly, Chipotle was trending for all the wrong reasons.
Chipotle Sets the Record Straight
The company was quick to shut down the speculation. In statements to outlets like Newsweek and PIX11, Chipotle confirmed it has no plans to close any restaurants.
In fact, Chipotle is doing the opposite. The company reported a 14.6% revenue increase in 2024 and opened over 300 new restaurants last year. It currently operates more than 3,700 locations and plans to open another 300 in 2025, many featuring its popular “Chipotlane” mobile pickup windows.
The company also emphasized its strong financial standing:
- $2 billion in cash reserves
- Zero debt
- Continued international expansion
Not exactly the profile of a business on the brink.
What Actually Closed: Farmesa Fresh
The original confusion stemmed from the shuttering of Farmesa Fresh, a small-scale experimental concept Chipotle had piloted through ghost kitchens. It was never rolled out nationally and was discontinued in mid-2024 after limited testing. A Spanish news site mistakenly equated this closure with Chipotle’s core operations, and the story spiraled from there.
The episode is another reminder of how fast misinformation spreads, and how easily it can blur the line between fact and fiction when brands have multiple ventures or international partnerships.
For now, Chipotle fans can rest easy: your local store isn’t going anywhere, and your burrito is safe.
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