A US chain\u2019s plan to sell its version of Mexican food to Mexicans with a first branch south of the border has prompted bemusement, skepticism and anger among local people.<\/p>\n
Chipotle Mexican Grill, known for its customisable burritos, tacos and bowls, has more than 4,000 locations worldwide and announced on Tuesday that it was expanding into Mexico<\/a> in what it described as a significant milestone.<\/p>\n The first restaurant will open on Thursday in the upmarket neighbourhood of San Pedro Garza Garc\u00eda in the city of Monterrey in the northern state of Nuevo Le\u00f3n.<\/p>\n Many social media users expressed excitement at the prospect of Chipotle\u2019s arrival in Mexico, but others were less than impressed.<\/p>\n \u201cBold move selling Mexico a corporate version of Mexico,\u201d wrote one user on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cNext up, Panda Express opening its first mainland China location,\u201d wrote another<\/a>, referring to the US Chinese fast-food chain.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s support what\u2019s local,\u201d wrote one user on Instagram. \u201cThe earnings of Chipotle will go to the USA, they won\u2019t stay in Mexico. On the other hand, if you buy from a local neighbourhood fonda the money goes toward local taxes and generates further economic impact for a circular economy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like the dog teaching a duck to fly!\u201d another said.<\/p>\n \u201cYummi mexican food made by gringos \u2026 said no one ever!\u201d wrote one user on Facebook.<\/a><\/p>\n Some predicted that Chipotle would suffer the same fate as other US fast-food chains that have failed to make it in the countries that inspired their cuisine. Taco Bell has twice tried to launch<\/a> in Mexico, but closed all of its restaurants there in 2010.<\/p>\n It opened its first restaurant in Monterrey in 2007, complete with french fries on the menu. Marco Fragoso, a local office worker, told the Associated Press at the time: \u201cThey\u2019re not tacos. <\/a>They\u2019re folded tostadas. They\u2019re very ugly.\u201d<\/p>\n The philosopher and journalist Carlos Mons\u00edvais described Taco Bell\u2019s attempt to expand into Mexico as \u201clike bringing ice to the Arctic\u201d.<\/p>\n Starbucks has been somewhat more successful in Italy, launching its first outlet in a former post office in 2018. Domino\u2019s Pizza, however, crashed out<\/a> of Italy after seven years in 2022, when its local franchise filed for bankruptcy and closed all of its 29 restaurants.<\/p>\n