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Chipotle Mexican Grill chief development officer Tabassum Zalotrawala steps downChipotle Mexican Grill chief development officer Tabassum Zalotrawala steps down

After more than four years with the fast-casual burrito bowl brand, Zalotrawala is moving on to a new, undisclosed position

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

March 14, 2023

1 Min Read
chipotle store (2)
Zalotrawala did not disclose where she will be going next.Nancy Luna

Joanna Fantozzi

Chipotle Mexican Grill chief development officer Tabassum Zalotrawala announced on LinkedIn this week that she is stepping down from her position after four and a half years at the Newport Beach, Calif.-based burrito bowl chain. Zalotrawala did not disclose where she will be going next.

During her time with the company, Zalotrawala led the company’s new restaurant growth, including the highly successful Chipotlane strategy, which helped lead to 33% store growth and 750 new restaurants since 2019. She also led the Development Center of Excellence “for restaurant design, concept, and innovation” for the company.

“I'm grateful for the opportunity to have helped Chipotle cultivate a better world by making their food more accessible and convenient,” Zalotrawala said in her LinkedIn post.

Before working at Chipotle, Zalotrawala served as chief development officer for Panda Express, and has also held multiple development leadership positions at companies including Arby’s.
“It has been an honor of a lifetime to be part of a purpose-driven, people-centric organization that's committed to making a positive impact on the world. As I close this chapter at Chipotle, I'm thrilled to embark on my next adventure.”

Contact Joanna at [email protected]

Related:Chipotle launches fajita quesadillas inspired by TikTok creators

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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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