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.”
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.
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