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Portillo’s adds Chipotle’s Jack Hartung to boardPortillo’s adds Chipotle’s Jack Hartung to board

Executive joins Chicago sandwich brand as director after more than two decades with Mexican brand

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

January 10, 2025

1 Min Read
Portillo's Grapevine TX exterior sign
Portillo's Inc. has added Chipotle's Jack Hartung to its board.Ron Ruggless

Portillo’s Inc., the fast-casual restaurant concept, has named Jack Hartung, Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.’s president and chief strategy officer, to its board, effective immediately, the company said Friday.

Portillo's-board-Jack-Hartung-Headshot.jpgChicago-based Portillo’s said its board has expanded to eight directors. Hartung joined Chipotle in 2002.

"Jack Hartung has been a pioneer of the fast casual restaurant sector and an architect behind one of its greatest success stories,” Mike Miles, Portillo’s chair, said in a statement. “His experience driving operating excellence and developing restaurants with best-in-class cash-on-cash returns with Chipotle will be invaluable to Portillo's as we accelerate our growth in new markets across the country.”

Hartung played a pivotal role in Chipotle's growth. He served as chief financial officer for 22 years before moving into his current role. Hartung helped guide the company through its 2006 initial public offering and from fewer than 500 restaurants to more than 3,600 locations.

Prior to Chipotle, he spent nearly two decades at the Chicago-based McDonald's Corp. in various management positions, ultimately serving as chief financial officer of its Partner Brands Group.

"Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, I've long admired Portillo's commitment to quality food and exceptional service," Hartung said.

Related:Portillo’s opens ‘Restaurant of Future’ in Grapevine, Texas

Portillo’s, founded in 1963, has more than 90 restaurants in 10 states.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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