Newport Beach, Calif. — The chairman and CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., Brian Niccol, has accepted the role as chairman and CEO of Starbucks and will be leaving Chipotle on August 31, 2024. Niccol has served as Chipotle’s CEO since 2018 and as chairman of the board since 2020. Chipotle’s board of directors has appointed Scott Boatwright, chief operating officer, as interim CEO.
Boatwright joined Chipotle in 2017 and has been instrumental in driving restaurant operations for the company’s more than 3,500 restaurants. He also led the integration of new technology into restaurants. Boatwright played a critical role as part of the leadership team that created and executed the turnaround strategy that began in 2018. Boatwright and the esteemed leadership team will continue to execute the company’s strategic plan without interruption.
In addition, Jack Hartung, who recently announced his retirement from Chipotle in 2025, has agreed to remain with the organization indefinitely as president of strategy, finance and supply chain to ensure a smooth transition. In this new role, Hartung will support Boatwright as interim CEO, and continue his current oversight of Adam Rymer, vice president of finance and incoming CFO, as well as Carlos Londono, global head of supply chain.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. operates more than 3,500 restaurants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Kuwait and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. For more information, visit www.Chipotle.com.
SOURCE: Chipotle Mexican Grill