NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) has announced the appointment of Jason Kidd as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective May 19, in a strategic move to strengthen its executive team. Kidd, with over two decades of experience in operations and retail, will oversee the operations of the company’s nearly 3,800 restaurants.
Kidd transitions to Chipotle from Taco Bell, where he served as the global chief operating officer. His previous roles include president of Hearing Lab Technology, LLC, and president and chief operating officer of 99 Cents Only Stores. He also brings a 20-year tenure at Sam’s Club, where he held various operational and leadership positions.
Chief Executive Officer Scott Boatwright expressed confidence in Kidd’s ability to enhance the company’s operations and support its 130,000 team members. Kidd himself is enthusiastic about joining Chipotle and contributing to its growth and guest experience initiatives.
In addition to Kidd’s appointment, the company also announced the upcoming transition of Jack Hartung from his role as President and Chief Strategy Officer. Hartung, who joined the company in 2002, will step down on June 1 to serve as a senior advisor until early March 2026. His tenure at Chipotle has seen the opening of over 3,700 restaurants worldwide.
Boatwright praised Hartung’s significant contributions and leadership during his nearly three decades with the company. Hartung’s extended advisory role is part of a well-planned leadership succession, ensuring a seamless transition and continued strategic execution.
Following Hartung’s transition, Curt Garner, Chief Customer and Technology Officer, will assume additional responsibilities, including oversight of supply chain operations. Chris Brandt, Chief Brand Officer, will lead a team focused on menu and ingredient processes.
This leadership reshuffle comes as Chipotle continues to focus on providing a great guest experience and maintaining its position as a leader in the food industry. The company prides itself on serving real food with wholesome ingredients and is committed to sustainable business practices and digital innovation. With a return on equity of 46% and strong five-year performance, Chipotle demonstrates solid fundamentals. For deeper insights into Chipotle’s financial health and growth prospects, investors can access comprehensive analysis through the InvestingPro Research Report, which offers detailed metrics and expert analysis among 1,400+ top US stocks.
The information for this article is based on a press release statement from Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.
In other recent news, Chipotle Mexican Grill’s first-quarter earnings for 2025 revealed a slight decline in same-store sales, falling short of analysts’ expectations. Guggenheim Securities responded by lowering its price target for Chipotle to $47, maintaining a Neutral rating, citing broader industry challenges. UBS also adjusted its price target to $60 while retaining a Buy rating, noting better-than-expected margins and robust restaurant development. Stifel maintained its Buy rating and a $65 target, expressing optimism about Chipotle’s marketing strategies to counteract the sales dip. Bernstein reiterated an Outperform rating with a $60 target, highlighting Chipotle’s strong fundamentals despite the challenging quarter.
TD Cowen lowered its price target to $57 but kept a Buy rating, supporting Chipotle’s new sales initiatives amid macroeconomic declines. Analysts across the board have adjusted their earnings forecasts, with TD Cowen predicting a 4% decrease in earnings per share for 2025. Chipotle has revised its full-year guidance to reflect low single-digit growth, adapting to the current economic environment. The company is focusing on new marketing efforts and menu innovations to boost sales during the slower summer months. Despite the setbacks, analysts remain generally positive about Chipotle’s long-term prospects, emphasizing its strategic initiatives and resilient margins.
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