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Chipotle CFO Jack Hartung to remain on as president and chief strategy officerChipotle CFO Jack Hartung to remain on as president and chief strategy officer

Chipotle announced an acceleration of leadership restructuring: incoming CFO Adam Rymer will now start Oct. 1 and Jamie McConnell was appointed chief accounting and administrative officer

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

August 28, 2024

2 Min Read
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Chipotle is going through some leadership changes in the wake of Brian Niccol's departure.Chipotle

Joanna Fantozzi

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced Wednesday the acceleration of leadership restructuring in the wake of Brian Niccol’s departure as CEO. Originally, longtime CFO Jack Hartung had announced his retirement effective March 2025, and now Hartung will be remaining on indefinitely as Chipotle’s president and chief strategy officer starting Oct. 1, 2025, to support interim CEO Scott Boatwright as Chipotle begins its search for a replacement head of the Newport Beach, Calif.-based company.  

Hartung’s former position of chief financial and administrative officer will be split into two roles. As previously announced, his successor to the role of chief financial officer will be Adam Rymer, a 15-year Chipotle veteran who most recently served as vice president of finance. Originally, Rymer was supposed to start in his new on Jan. 1, but the company has moved his start date up to Oct. 1.

Jamie McConnell, a six-year Chipotle veteran who most recently served as vice president, controller of the company, will transition into the role of chief accounting and administrative officer and report to Rymer.

"There's tremendous growth opportunity ahead for Chipotle, and I look forward to delivering on our strategic priorities and driving value for our guests, our employees and our shareholders,” Rymer said in a statement. “For well over a decade, I've had the privilege of supporting one of the leading and longest tenured CFOs in the business, and I am grateful for the deep institutional knowledge that was bestowed upon me, Jamie, and the entire finance organization, as we continue executing on our mission to cultivate a better world.”

Related:Chipotle is testing chipotle honey chicken as latest menu innovation

In addition to these leadership changes, Chipotle also announced that the company has put retention plans in place for its executive leadership team to “ensure continuity through this transitional time.”

Niccol announced his departure from Chipotle on Aug. 13 after more than six years with the company. He will transition to the role of Starbucks CEO on Sept. 9. The surprising announcement comes after an outstanding second quarter for the fast-casual chain with double-digit revenue and same-store sales growth.

Contact Joanna at [email protected]

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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