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Trading in coffee for burritos: Former Starbucks CIO joins Chipotle

Chipotle Mexican Grill has hired Curt Garner as chief information officer.

October 12, 2015

Chipotle Mexican Grill has hired Curt Garner as chief information officer. Garner, who held the same position at Starbucks Coffee, will join Chipotle effective November 23, and become the company's first CIO, according to a company press release.

"We are changing the way people think about and eat fast food," said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle. "Inherent in that vision is our quest to provide the very best restaurant experience we can. As we look for ways to create efficiencies in our restaurants and improve the customer experience through the strategic use of technology, Curt's experience and expertise make him an ideal and welcome addition to our management team."

Garner held a variety of positions in Starbucks' information technology group throughout his 18 years with the company. During his tenure Garner's work on technology infrastructure began when the company had fewer than 2,000 stores, and continued through its development of the infrastructure to support a global business that is recognized as a leader in digital platform technology, according to the release.

Prior to Starbucks, Garner held a technology leadership position at Wendy's International. He is a 1991 graduate of Ohio State University, with a bachelor's degree in economics.

"Chipotle is a tremendous company with and important mission and remarkably loyal customers," said Garner. "I am thrilled to join such a dynamic organization at a time when investments in technology infrastructure can help the company create a technology platform that is on par with the leadership they have already established in terms of their food culture, people culture, and unit economic model."

 Garner will report to Jack Hartung, chief financial officer, at Chipotle.