DENVER — Laurie Schalow has been named chief communications officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. In the newly created position, Ms. Schalow will oversee the restaurant company’s internal and external communications functions.
Ms. Schalow joins Chipotle from Yum! Brands, Inc., where most recently she was vice-president of public affairs, with responsibility for managing the brand reputations of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants in 140 countries. She has bachelor’s degrees from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and a master’s degree from Wayne State University, Detroit. She will report directly to Steve Ells, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill.
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| Steve Ells, founder, chairman and c.e.o. of Chipotle Mexican Grill |
“We have been actively working to strengthen our leadership team to better prepare Chipotle for continued growth and success,” Mr. Ells said. “Laurie is an extremely talented executive, and I am confident that her broad expertise will help to strengthen our communications and better integrate all of our internal and external communications functions to amplify our messages.”
Ms. Schalow’s appointment is the latest in ongoing efforts from the company to strengthen its leadership in the aftermath of a series of food safety incidents that began in 2015. Earlier this year, the company named its first ever chief restaurant officer, Scott Boatwright, formerly senior vice-president of operations at Arby’s Restaurant Group.
“Chipotle is a great brand and I have been a longtime admirer of the company and its mission,” Ms. Schalow said. “There is considerable opportunity ahead for Chipotle, and I am thrilled to join the company to help shape and strengthen its strategic communications in support of a very important vision to make great tasting food, made with real, whole ingredients available to everyone.”
