DENVER — Chipotle said the rumors about it filing for bankruptcy and closing restaurants are just rumors.

Chipotle Mexican Grill is refuting online rumors that it filed for bankruptcy and said it actually plans to open hundreds of restaurants this year.

A Chipotle spokesperson confirmed to 9NEWS on Wednesday that the restaurant chain has no plans to close locations despite reports that circulated online.

“The false information stemmed from an inaccurate online article confusing Chipotle with a venture it tested in 2023. The story has since been corrected,” said a Chipotle spokesperson. “We anticipate opening between 315 to 345 new restaurants this year, with at least 80% including a Chipotlane.”

“Chipotle’s Q4FY2024 earnings call indicated zero debt and over $2 billion in cash reserves,” the Chipotle spokesperson said. “Total revenue for 2024 was $11.3 billion, an increase of 14.6% compared to 2023.”

“Chipotle had another outstanding year [in 2024], delivering strong transaction driven comps each quarter, expanding margins, adding over 300 new restaurants, gaining momentum in key industry leading brand metrics, making progress on many restaurant operating initiatives and building our footprint internationally,” Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright said in a news release. 

“I want to make sure that as we continue to scale Chipotle, everything we do is in service of our guests or those who serve our guests which will enable us to achieve our long-term ambitious goals of reaching 7,000 restaurants in North America, growing our AUVs beyond $4 million, expanding margins and making progress toward becoming a global iconic brand,” Boatwright said.

Earlier in March, Chipotle launched Chipotle Honey Chicken at its restaurants across North America and Europe. The company said Chipotle Honey Chicken was the restaurant’s best-selling limited-time offer in a market-wide test after it debuted in Nashville and Sacramento in 2024.