Chipotle Mexican Grill announced August 13, 2024, that Brian Niccol, chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has accepted the role as chairman and CEO of Starbucks and will be leaving Chipotle August 31, 2024.
Niccol has served as Chipotle’s CEO since 2018 and as chairman of the board since 2020.
Starbucks announced that Niccol will start his new position September 9.
Starbucks chief financial officer, Rachel Ruggeri, will serve as interim CEO until that time. Mellody Hobson, Starbucks board chair, will become lead independent director.
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 120,000 employees and over 3,500 restaurants. He also led the integration of new technology into restaurants, built a strong culture aligned to the organization’s values, and achieved industry-leading retention rates yielding impressive results and improvements in throughput and the overall guest experience,” the company said.
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.
With this leadership change, Scott Maw, Chipotle’s lead independent director, has been named chairman of the board, effective immediately.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work that has been accomplished since I joined Chipotle in 2018,” said Brian Niccol, in a news release. “The strategic priorities this team has put in place have positioned Chipotle to win today and enable future growth. It’s hard to leave such a great company and all of the talented people I’ve had the pleasure to work with, but I depart knowing the business is in great shape and poised for growth with a strong, experienced leadership team.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Brian to Starbucks,” said Starbucks’ Hobson, in a news release. “His phenomenal career speaks for itself. Brian is a culture carrier who brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of driving innovation and growth. Like all of us at Starbucks, he understands that a remarkable customer experience is rooted in an exceptional partner experience.”
“I am excited to join Starbucks and grateful for the opportunity to help steward this incredible company, alongside hundreds of thousands of devoted partners,” said Niccol. “I have long-admired Starbucks iconic brand, unique culture and commitment to enhancing human connections around the globe. As I embark upon this journey, I am energized by the tremendous potential to drive growth and further enhance the Starbucks experience for our customers and partners, while staying true to our mission and values.”
