Sponsored By

Chipotle executive returns to work following drug chargesChipotle executive returns to work following drug charges

Charges still pending for Mark Crumpacker, but are unrelated to work, company officials say

Lisa Jennings, Executive Editor

September 16, 2016

2 Min Read
Nation's Restaurant News logo in a gray background | Nation's Restaurant News

Mark Crumpacker is officially back as chief creative and development officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., after being placed on administrative leave following an indictment on drug possession charges in June, executives confirmed Friday. 

Chris Arnold, the Denver-based company’s communications director, said Crumpacker’s return was announced internally on Sept. 8.

“After careful consideration and review, we’ve learned that any mistake Mark may have made in his personal life was not related to, nor did it affect, his work,” Arnold said in a statement. “In the eight years that he has been with Chipotle, he has been an extremely valuable member of our leadership team and contributed greatly to Chipotle’s success.”

Arnold added that Crumpacker voluntarily completed a rehabilitation program while on leave, and that “he is excited to get back to work at the company he loves.”

According to the Associated Press, Crumpacker’s case is still open. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 18. 

Crumpacker was arraigned on seven misdemeanor counts related to the purchase of cocaine and other controlled substances between January and May of this year, a time when Chipotle was grappling with the aftermath of a series of foodborne illness events last year that sent sales and the company’s stock price plunging.

Chipotle has slowly regained some traffic with the help of marketing efforts that have included freebies and buy-one-get-one offers, a summer loyalty program, animated short films to refocus customers on quality ingredients, and the rollout of chorizo as a new protein option.

The past few months have been personally challenging for Crumpacker, “but he has remained committed to doing what is best for Chipotle,” Arnold said. “Our executive team and board of directors believe that having Mark continue to lead our marketing and development efforts is what is best for our company, our employees, our investors and our future.”

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected]
Follow her on Twitter: @livetodineout

About the Author

Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality

Lisa Jennings is executive editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She joined the NRN staff as West Coast editor in 2004 as a veteran journalist. Before joining NRN, she spent 11 years at The Commercial Appeal, the daily newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., most recently as editor of the Food and Health & Wellness sections. Prior experience includes staff reporting for the Washington Business Journal and United Press International.

Lisa’s areas of expertise include coverage of both large public restaurant chains and small independents, the regulatory and legal landscapes impacting the industry overall, as well as helping operators find solutions to run their business better.

Lisa Jennings’ experience:

Executive editor, NRN (March 2020 to present)

Executive editor, Restaurant Hospitality (January 2018 to present)

Senior editor, NRN (September 2004 to March 2020)

Reporter/editor, The Commercial Appeal (1990-2001)

Reporter, Washington Business Journal (1985-1987)

Contact Lisa Jennings at:

[email protected]

@livetodineout

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jennings-83202510/

 

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.