Construction is moving forward on a new standalone Chipotle restaurant at the Walnut Hill Shopping Center in Gaithersburg, with a building permit valued at $600,000 associated with the project.
According to Maryland Newsletters, the permit covers construction of the shell building for the future Chipotle at 8950 N. Westland Drive at the former bank building that occupied the property was demolished during the winter.
The project has been in the making for more than a year. In August 2025, we reported that Chipotle planned to open a new standalone location at the shopping center. The proposal moved forward in December 2025 when the City of Gaithersburg Planning Commission approved plans for the 2,385 SF restaurant, which will feature a drive-thru pickup lane for customers placing orders in advance.
This past June we let you know that an additional 2,406 SF freestanding Gaithersburg Chipotle restaurant will be built on a currently undeveloped portion of property located in the northwest quadrant of Route 355 and Watkins Mill Road. That restaurant will include outdoor seating and a drive-thru lane and is being be built on the lot between the existing Royal Farms and Chennai Hoppers. An opening timeline is not available for either Chipotle location.
