A new Chipotle under construction in southwest Ocala has plans to open later this year.
Chipotle originally reported that it would open its third location in Ocala on May 27, according to an online business listing. That online business listing has since been updated and no new date has been established.
Located at 8440 SW State Road 200, the Mexican restaurant is currently being built out as part of Corta Commons, a new commercial and residential development that was approved in May 2024.
Chipotle has been expanding its footprint aggressively throughout Marion, Sumter, and Lake counties over the past several years, with new locations sprouting up in Eustis, Lady Lake, and Minneola.
In 2023, Chipotle opened its second location in Ocala along East Silver Springs Boulevard.
In addition to the Mexican restaurant, the Corta Commons development will be anchored by a Sprouts Farmers Market and over two dozen townhomes. It will also feature a Tropical Smoothie Café and a mattress store.
In total, five commercial parcels will occupy approximately 7.1 acres of the property, while the proposed 30-unit, townhome development will occupy 1.625 acres. The multifamily section of the development will include a park and other amenities.
Chipotle is second only to Taco Bell in its number of locations in the United States. The Mexican restaurant chain is not owned by a single entity and is publicly traded.
Although McDonalds initially owned a majority stake of Chipotle nearly two decades ago, that company sold its stake when Chipotle became publicly traded.
Now, The Vanguard Group and BlackRock are in possession of large amounts of shares of Chipotle.
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UPDATE: After this story was published, Chipotle adjusted its online business listing and removed its projected opening date.