A popular fast-casual Mexican restaurant opened its newest restaurant in Neptune Beach as the nationwide chain continues expanding throughout Northeast Florida.
Chipotle Mexican Grill debuted Aug. 26 at 628 Atlantic Blvd. in the Publix-anchored Seminole Shoppes shopping center. It is the first in Neptune Beach.
The opening coincides with Chipotle’s launch of a new ‘Build-Your-Own’ meal kit designed to feed four to six people.
The Mexican restaurant replaces the former BurgerFi, which closed abruptly in September 2024 when the Fort Lauderdale-based “better burger” chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. BurgerFi exited bankruptcy in June, online federal court records show.
Chipotle takes over the 2,100-square-foot storefront. It joins other dining spots, including Cousins Maine Lobster, Renna’s Pizza, KFC, Tokyo Ramen & Sushi Burrito, and Hurricane Grill and Wings in the shopping center owned by Regency Centers.
Headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif., Chipotle is known for its freshly made-to-order burritos, bowls, tacos and salads.
The Neptune Beach restaurant comes two months after Chipotle opened its newest standalone restaurant featuring its signature drive-thru pick-up lane in the sprawling Beachwalk mixed-use retail and residential community of Saint Johns.
Founded in July 1993, Chipotle has more than 3,800 restaurants — as of June 30 — in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, according to an Aug. 25 company news release.
The Chipotle website lists 278 Florida locations, including 14 in Jacksonville, two in Orange Park, and one each in Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Saint Johns, St. Augustine and Yulee.
The Neptune Beach restaurant is open from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Nationwide fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain opens in Neptune Beach
Reporting by Teresa Stepzinski, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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