Denver-based fast-casual chain Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. said today that Brian Niccol, chief executive of Taco Bell, will be its next CEO, replacing founder Steve Ells.
Niccol has headed Taco Bell — the Mexican-fast-food brand of Louisville, Kentucky-based Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE: YUM) — since 2015.
He will become just the second solo CEO at Chipotle (NYSE: CMG). Ells had a 25-year run in that position, either alone or as co-CEO.
Ells has come under criticism for failing to turn around the performance of the 2,400-store chain following various health scares at its restaurants, including an E. coli scare that sent dozens of customers to hospitals in late 2015.
Read more at the Denver Business Journal: http://bit.ly/2sphvBg
