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Chipotle (CMG) CEO Scott Boatwright cut a fine figure while visiting with staff at a New York City store on a recent Friday afternoon.
The restaurant manager was eager to see him and share how the operation was going. What appeared to be an investment banker in a black vest randomly approached Boatwright and told him he recognized him.
It was all in one day for Boatwright, an avid weightlifter with a linebacker’s build, a high-voltage smile and the looks of an OG Abercrombie & Fitch model.
Over a bag of chips and guacamole, he told me he’s exploring adding desserts to the menu in some way. Breakfast is still prohibited as it would hinder operations. Expect a big boost in the restaurant sector. He lights up when I ask him how fast the queues get at rush hour. (Much faster).
And he’s had enough of the perception that Chipotle has become too expensive.
“We’re affordable for all walks of life and we’re for everyone. We want everyone to have access to healthy, nutritious food,” Boatwright said on Power Players (video above; listen below).
He’s also fed up with the view that Chipotle has reduced the size of its famous portions to boost its profits.
“We would have to ask for a little more,” he said. “It’s always been the ethos of our brand, and it still is to this day. We serve big, beautiful bowls and burritos. Full stop, no questions asked. If you want more, ask the team member. I promise there will never be a team member on that line who is going to say no.”
Boatwright was officially named CEO of Chipotle at the end of 2024 after serving as chief operating officer for seven years. He first rose to interim CEO when his former boss, Brian Niccol, shocked the restaurant world by accepting the CEO job at Starbucks (SBUX).
During his tenure as COO, Boatwright was one of the primary architects of Chipotle’s digital transformation, overseeing the launch of “Chipotlanes” and advanced kitchen technology to improve speed of service.
Before joining Chipotle in 2017, Boatwright spent 18 years at Arby’s Restaurant Group, where he rose to senior vice president of operations and was credited with revitalizing the brand’s operating culture.
All of Boatwright’s expertise is being put to the test at Chipotle, where growth has slowed from its heyday. Chipotle shares are down 35% over the past year.
Chipotle had a mixed but better-than-expected first quarter after a challenging 2025. Total revenue grew 7.4% to $3.1 billion, driven primarily by new restaurant openings and a 0.5% increase in same-store sales. The higher transaction volume of 0.6% was partially offset by a slight drop in the average check.