• Kidd’s 25 years of operational and retail experience will be an asset to the company’s Executive Committee.
• Hartung will transition from his executive role to become a senior advisor for the company starting June 1.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., May 6, 2025 – Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) has announced the appointment of Jason Kidd as its new chief operating officer, effective May 19. Kidd will be in charge of overseeing operations for Chipotle’s approximately 3,800 restaurants, reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer Scott Boatwright at the company’s headquarters in Newport Beach. In addition, President and Chief Strategy Officer Jack Hartung, who has been with Chipotle for almost 25 years, will step down from his current position on June 1 and continue to serve the company as a senior advisor until early March 2026.

Kidd is joining Chipotle from Taco Bell, where he held the position of global chief operating officer. Before that, he was the president of Hearing Lab Technology, LLC. Prior to that role, Kidd spent six years managing operations at 99 Cents Only Stores, most recently as president and chief operating officer. He also spent 20 years at Sam’s Club, taking on roles with increasing responsibility in operations, merchandising, planning, and supply chain.

Boatwright commented that Kidd’s proven achievements and extensive knowledge will greatly support their 130,000 team members in providing exceptional hospitality to guests. He added that Kidd’s significant operational experience in large-scale, multi-unit retail will bring a strong foundation and fresh strategic insights to their executive team.

Kidd stated his gratitude for the opportunity to join Chipotle’s leadership team and expressed his eagerness to improve the experiences for both team members and guests. He also noted his excitement about Chipotle’s focus on building a guest-obsessed culture and modernizing the back of house, believing that there is substantial growth potential for the brand.

Hartung, who started at Chipotle in 2002 and has held positions such as chief financial and administrative officer, will transition to a senior advisor role next month before retiring in 2026. He has been working closely with Boatwright and Chief Financial Officer Adam Rymer for the past nine months as they transitioned into their new roles. This smooth transition demonstrates Chipotle’s strong talent pool and well-planned succession strategy, as the company continues to pursue its strategic objectives.

Hartung stated his strong confidence in the company’s leaders and strategies to create value for guests, employees, and shareholders. He noted that during his tenure, Chipotle opened over 3,700 restaurants across seven countries and expressed confidence in the company’s future growth potential. He considered it an honor to serve the company, which he said created an entirely new category of dining and made real food accessible to everyone, and looks forward to seeing the organization continue to “Cultivate a Better World.”

Boatwright acknowledged Hartung’s immeasurable contributions to Chipotle over nearly three decades and expressed his gratitude for Hartung’s leadership, guidance, and friendship. He also thanked Hartung for delaying his retirement to help the organization through the leadership transition, recognizing his instrumental role in ensuring Chipotle consistently delivered on its mission.

As part of Hartung’s transition, Curt Garner, the chief customer and technology officer, will expand his responsibilities to include overseeing supply chain as the president, chief strategy and technology officer. Additionally, Chris Brandt, the chief brand officer, will lead a cross-functional team to manage all menu and ingredient processes as president, chief brand officer.

About Chipotle
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is dedicated to cultivating a better world by offering responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food made with wholesome ingredients and without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. As of March 31, 2025, there are nearly 3,800 Chipotle restaurants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. Chipotle is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all of its restaurants in North America and Europe. With a workforce of over 130,000 employees who are passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle has long been an innovator and leader in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible while maintaining its commitment to purpose-driven initiatives in digital innovation, technology, and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit .

 

SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.