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Chipotle (CMG) CEO Scott Boatwright cut quite a figure as he checked in on 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 doing. What looked to be an investment banker in a black bro vest randomly came up to Boatwright and said he recognized him.
It was all in a day for Boatwright, an avid weightlifter with a linebacker frame, high-wattage smile, and the looks of an OG Abercrombie & Fitch model.
He told me over a bag of chips and guac that he’s exploring adding desserts to the menu in some capacity. Breakfast is still a no-go, as it would clutter up operations. Expect a big push into catering. He lights up when I ask how much faster the lines are getting at peak times. (Much faster.)
And he has had enough with the perception that Chipotle has gotten too expensive.
“We have an affordable price point for all walks of life, and we’re for everyone. We want everyone to have access to wholesome, nutritious food,” Boatwright said on Power Players (video above; listen in below).
He’s also had it with the view that Chipotle has cut down on its famous portion sizes to pad its profits.
“You should ask for a little more,” he said. “It has always been our brand ethos, and it is still to this day. We serve big, beautiful bowls and burritos. Full stop, no questions asked. If you want more, just ask the team member. I promise you there’s never a team member on that line that’s going to say no.”
Boatwright was officially named CEO of Chipotle in late 2024 after serving as COO for seven years. He first rose to interim CEO when his former boss, Brian Niccol, shocked the restaurant world by taking the CEO gig at Starbucks (SBUX).
During his tenure as COO, Boatwright was a primary architect of Chipotle’s digital transformation, overseeing the rollout of “Chipotlanes” and advanced kitchen technology to improve service speed.
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 operational culture.
All of Boatwright’s experience is being put to the test at Chipotle, where growth has slowed from its heyday. Chipotle stock is down 35% over the past year.
Chipotle delivered 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. Higher transaction volume of 0.6% was partially offset by a slight dip in the average check.
