Sept 10 (Reuters) - Chipotle Mexican Grill ( CMG ) plans

to foray into Asia next year by opening restaurants in South

Korea and Singapore, as the bowls and burritos maker seeks to

expand its global footprint amid easing consumer spending on

dining out in key U.S. market.

The California-based company will open the restaurants

through a joint venture with South Korea-based food company, SPC

Group, it said on Wednesday.

"With a rapidly evolving dining-out business, fueled by

preferences for variety and convenience, expanding into Asia

presents an incredible growth opportunity for Chipotle," said

CEO Scott Boatwright.

In April, Chipotle announced its plans to open restaurants

in Mexico for the first time, following last year's deal with

Alshaya Group to expand into the Middle East market via Dubai

and Kuwait.

The company lowered its annual sales growth target in July

and missed quarterly sales estimates, hurt by fewer restaurant

trips in an uncertain economy. U.S. President Donald Trump's

trade tariffs are also set to drive up supply-chain costs.

Chipotle's existing international portfolio of owned and

operated restaurants includes locations in Canada, the UK,

France and Germany.

The company currently operates more than 3,800 restaurants

and plans to open between 315 and 345 new outlets this year,

with a long-term target of operating 7,000 locations in the U.S.

and Canada, it said.