Chipotle Mexican Grill, a fast-casual Mexican food chain, is readying its first Western New York restaurant.

Destined for Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst, it will be located in Boulevard Consumer Square. The company is shooting for a December or early 2010 opening date. Chipotle is in the process of hiring what will be a total of 25 to 30 employees.

The chain serves a limited, fresh menu of mostly burritos, burrito bowls, tacos and salads. It competes with Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina and Moe’s Southwest Grill, two similar fast Mexican chains that have recently entered the Western New York market.

The Denver-headquartered corporation has more than 830 locations in more than 30 states plus Ontario. Currently, the closest Chipotle restaurants are in Toronto and Rochester.