Chipotle Taps Taco Bell CEO as New Leader in Major Culture Shift

• February 13 2018
• Leslie Patton

Brian Niccol, the Taco Bell head who drove growth with quirky dishes such as Doritos Locos Tacos, is taking the vacant chief executive officer post at Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.

Brian Niccol, the Taco Bell head who drove growth with quirky dishes such as Doritos Locos Tacos, is taking the vacant chief executive officer post at Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.

Chipotle named Niccol to the post on Tuesday, after founder Steve Ells announced last year that he was stepping down from that role while staying on as chairman. Yum! Brands Inc., Taco Bell’s parent, also said that Niccol was departing.

Niccol, who’s led Taco Bell since 2015, has been credited with turning around sales and speeding the introduction of technology at the chain. Now, he’ll face a struggling company that’s been rocked by a string of foodborne illnesses spanning several years, along with a recent data breach. Niccol will also be in charge of a chain obsessed with the quality of its ingredients -- a big change from his past role.

The shares jumped in extended trading on the news, rising as much as 13 percent to $283.21.