COMPANY INFO
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. was founded by Steve Ells on July 13, 1993. It is a public company in the restaurant industry with approximately 130,504 employees as of 2024. Chipotle operates a multinational chain of fast casual restaurants specializing in bowls, tacos, and Mission burritos made to order in front of the customer. The company is headquartered in Newport Beach, California, and its website is chipotle.com.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is a leading multinational fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in customizable Mexican cuisine, known for its mission-driven approach and focus on “food with integrity.” Founded by Steve Ells in 1993, the company now operates over 3,700 restaurants worldwide and employs more than 130,000 people.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is steered by an experienced group of executives with diverse expertise in operations, technology, brand development, finance, legal, human resources, and food safety. The Chipotle leadership team’s collective background across global QSR operations, digital transformation, brand marketing, supply chain, and public affairs has been instrumental in driving the company’s industry-leading growth, innovation in digital sales, and commitment to transparency and sustainability.
Scott Boatwright is currently the CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., having taken the helm in November 2024. Boatwright has led the company's "total guest experience" strategy, integrating advanced technology and menu innovation to drive record same-store sales growth, robust digital sales, and sustained guest satisfaction. His tenure is also marked by operational excellence and the expansion of digital ordering and delivery platforms.
Before joining Chipotle as COO in 2017, Boatwright spent 18 years at Arby's Restaurant Group, where he advanced to Senior VP of Operations, overseeing 1,700 restaurants. He earned his MBA from Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business and serves on the boards of Academy Sports + Outdoors and the National Restaurant Association’s Fast Casual Industry Council.
Jason Kidd has served as Chief Operating Officer at Chipotle since May 2025, overseeing operations for nearly 3,700 global restaurants. His focus on optimizing performance, driving field leadership development, and integrating digital platforms has resulted in increased efficiency and elevated guest experiences.
Kidd previously served as Global COO at Taco Bell, where he managed international operations. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Georgia and brings over 20 years of quick-service restaurant leadership experience to Chipotle’s executive management team.
Curt Garner, as Chief Customer and Technology Officer since 2015, has led the digital transformation of Chipotle through the launch of its mobile app, loyalty program, advanced data analytics, and comprehensive cybersecurity initiatives. His initiatives have contributed to digital sales climbing to over 30% of total revenue.
Prior to Chipotle, Garner spent 17 years at Starbucks, rising to Executive VP and CIO, where he led global digital and technology strategy. He holds a BA in Economics from The Ohio State University and is recognized for his ability to leverage technology to drive rapid change in customer experience.
John R. (Jack) Hartung has been Chipotle’s Chief Financial and Administrative Officer since 2002, managing all aspects of financial reporting, investor relations, and corporate strategy. Hartung guided the company through its IPO, implemented cost-saving supply chain measures, and steered it through multiple cycles of growth amid rising commodity prices.
Previously, Hartung worked 18 years at McDonald’s, including as VP & CFO of its Partner Brands Group. He holds degrees in Accounting & Economics and an MBA from Illinois State University, and actively participates on the boards of Honest Company and Zocdoc.
Since joining in 2018, Chris Brandt has overseen all facets of marketing, branding, real estate, and development at Chipotle. He launched the successful “Cultivate Your World” campaign and spearheaded store renewal projects, which have driven the brand’s equity and supported 10% annual unit growth.
Brandt’s career includes senior marketing roles at Bloomin’ Brands (EVP & CBO) and Taco Bell (CMO). He earned an MBA from UCLA Anderson and a BA in Economics from UC San Diego.
Laurie Schalow has overseen corporate affairs and food safety at Chipotle since 2017, where she has rebuilt consumer trust by overhauling crisis management, enhancing supplier audits, and reinforcing the company’s food safety protocols post-2015. Her efforts have been key to restoring brand reputation and ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory standards.
Previously, Schalow served as VP of Public Affairs at Yum! Brands. She holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve and Wayne State University, and is a board member of the National Restaurant Association.
Roger Theodoredis manages all legal, regulatory, and risk management functions at Chipotle, including navigating franchise and international expansion, and leading the company's major acquisition and compliance programs. He has played a crucial role in guiding the company’s ethical standards and global compliance initiatives.
Theodoredis was previously SVP, General Counsel, and Secretary at WhiteWave Foods and Danone North America. He earned his JD from Boston University School of Law.
Since 2023, Ilene Eskenazi has led Chipotle's HR strategy, spearheading talent acquisition, leadership development, and diversity and inclusion programs that have amplified employee retention and engagement during a period of rapid expansion and digital innovation.
Eskenazi previously held C-suite HR and legal roles at Petco and Boardriders. She holds a JD from UCLA School of Law and a BA in Philosophy from the University of Michigan.
Kerry Bridges is responsible for food safety standards and quality assurance across all operational levels at Chipotle, implementing advanced risk management systems and supply chain audit processes. Her leadership has resulted in a 40% reduction in food safety incidents since 2019.
Bridges formerly directed food safety programs at Walmart, managing oversight for tens of thousands of suppliers. She holds a B.S. in Food Science from Kansas State University and is HACCP certified.
Steve Ells, co-founder and former CEO from 1993 to 2017, pioneered Chipotle's farm-to-table fast casual model with an emphasis on sustainable ingredient sourcing through the “food with integrity” philosophy. He led Chipotle to its 2006 IPO and now serves as Executive Chairman Emeritus, advising on menu innovation and brand direction.
Ells graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and studied Art History at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Before founding Chipotle, he worked as a sous chef at Stars in San Francisco.
The Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. leadership team blends deep restaurant industry expertise with innovative digital, operational, and sustainability strategies. This balanced management structure is anchored by dynamic leaders drawing from technology, finance, multinational restaurant operations, and brand strategy backgrounds—ensuring Chipotle's continued adaptability, scalability, and mission-driven growth. The presence of original founder Steve Ells as Executive Chairman Emeritus underscores a culture that values both legacy and agile innovation, making the Chipotle CEO and executive team one of the most respected management teams in the restaurant sector.
Websets is a powerful natural language search and data enrichment tool that helps you research executive teams for any company. Whether you're analyzing the Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. leadership team or exploring management structures at other organizations, Websets provides comprehensive insights into executive backgrounds, roles, and team dynamics.
With Websets, you can access detailed executive team profiles, management structures, and leadership insights through intuitive natural language queries. Sign up now to enhance your executive team research capabilities.