Brian Niccol
The current CEO of Chipotle, who is set to take over as the new CEO of Starbucks. He has a reputation as a cost-cutter and efficiency driver, having previously turned around Taco Bell and Chipotle.
entitydetail.created_at
8/26/2025, 6:01:55 AM
entitydetail.last_updated
8/26/2025, 6:03:22 AM
entitydetail.research_retrieved
8/26/2025, 6:03:22 AM
Summary
Brian Niccol is an American businessman who currently serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Starbucks, a role he began on September 9, 2024. Prior to this, he was the Chairman and CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill from March 2018 until August 31, 2024, where he was instrumental in doubling the business through digital innovation, new menu items, and international expansion. His move to Starbucks is a significant leadership transition aimed at addressing the company's operational challenges, including inflation, complexity, and rising labor costs, with an anticipated strategic focus on increased automation. Niccol's career also includes leadership roles at Taco Bell, where he served as CEO, and earlier positions at Procter & Gamble and Pizza Hut.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Born
1974-08-16
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) from University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Birthplace
Orange County, California, USA
Fraternity
Phi Delta Theta
Nationality
American
Native Origin
Philadelphia, USA
Timeline
- Born. (Source: Web Search)
1974-08-16
- Graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. (Source: Web Search)
1996
- Worked at Procter & Gamble and Pizza Hut. (Source: Web Search)
1995-2011
- Joined Taco Bell. (Source: Web Search)
2011
- Served as President of Taco Bell (until 2014). (Source: Web Search)
2013
- Promoted to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Taco Bell. (Source: Web Search)
2015-01-01
- Became Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Chipotle Mexican Grill. (Source: Web Search)
2018-03
- Became Chairman of Chipotle Mexican Grill. (Source: Web Search)
2020-03
- Left Chipotle Mexican Grill. (Source: Web Search)
2024-08-31
- Started as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Starbucks, replacing Laxman Narasimhan. (Source: Web Search)
2024-09-09
Web Search Results
- Brian Niccol - Wikipedia
| Brian R. Niccol | | --- | | Image 4 Niccol in 2023 | | Born | (1974-08-16) August 16, 1974 (age 50)_[citation needed_] | | Nationality | American | | Education | Miami University (BA) University of Chicago (MBA) | | Occupation | CEO of Starbucks | Brian R. Niccol is an American businessman and the chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks, a role which he started on September 9, 2024, replacing Laxman Narasimhan. He previously was chairman and CEO of Chipotle until August 31, 2024.( [...] Education --------- [edit] Niccol is a native of Philadelphia.( He went to Miami University to study engineering. However, a marketing class piqued his interest, causing him to take several elective courses in business.( Niccol is a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Niccol graduated from Miami University in 1996. He also has an MBA from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business.( Career ------ [edit] ### Procter & Gamble, Pizza Hut (1995–2011) [edit")] [...] On January 1, 2015, Niccol was promoted to chief executive officer (CEO) of Taco Bell.( He presented an ongoing plan for Taco Bell to be appealing to Millennials and future generations.( Niccol led a successful turnaround effort at Taco Bell as CEO.( ### Chipotle Mexican Grill (2018–2024) [edit")]
- Brian Niccol, Walmart Board of Directors
Brian Niccol is the chairman and CEO of Starbucks Corporation. He joined the company in September 2024 after leading Chipotle Mexican Grill through a period of growth and transformation as its CEO since March 2018 and chairman since March 2020. During his tenure, he more than doubled the business by establishing Chipotle as a culinary leader, pioneering digital innovation, introducing new menu items, and expanding internationally.
- Brian Niccol
Brian Niccol - Phi Delta Theta =============== Skip to content Image 1: Phi Delta Theta Menu Back Miami '96 Brian Niccol ============ CEO, Starbucks Image 2 Brian R. Niccol is an American businessman and the chief executive officer of Starbucks, a role which he started on September 9, 2024. He previously served as chairman and CEO of Chipotle until August 31, 2024. [...] As CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Brian Niccol is responsible for driving the overall brand strategy and performance of over 2,400 restaurants in North America and Europe. He is passionate about Chipotle’s purpose of Cultivating a Better World and bringing a truly unique dining experience to consumers. Niccol takes pride in leading a purpose-driven brand offering extraordinary ingredients that are not only fresh, but that are raised responsibly, with respect for the animals, land, and people [...] Prior to joining Chipotle, Brian Niccol was at Taco Bell from 2011 and served as CEO from January, 2015 and president from 2013 to 2014. Under his leadership, he successfully repositioned Taco Bell as a lifestyle brand and successfully launched numerous product initiatives, including the new breakfast daypart, the fastest growing daypart in the industry. He transformed Taco Bell into a social media leader and revolutionized its digital approach through mobile ordering and payment across their
- Brian Niccol - Business Roundtable
Policy Perspectives Corporate Initiatives Media About Us Member Portal # Brian Niccol ## Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Starbucks Corporation Brian Niccol is Starbucks chairman and chief executive officer. He is a proven leader with a record of delighting customers, driving innovation, building culturally relevant brands and ensuring operational excellence. He’s recognized for his focus on people and for nurturing strong and creative company cultures.
- Brian Niccol: From Taco Bell to Starbucks CEO - Quartr
In August 2024, Brian Niccol was appointed the new CEO of Starbucks, a pivotal move that signals a new era for the struggling coffee giant. Declining sales and customers abandoning the mobile app due to congested stores highlighted the company’s operational weaknesses and fueled mounting pressure for change. [...] Brian Niccol was born and raised in Orange County, California. He began his academic journey at Miami University in Ohio, initially pursuing a degree in engineering. However, a marketing class would change his career trajectory. Captivated by the creative possibilities of marketing, Niccol shifted his focus to business, combining his technical background with an emerging passion for consumer behavior and brand management. [...] Brand revitalization: Brian Niccol excels at reviving struggling brands through innovative strategies and consumer-focused initiatives, as seen in his successes at Taco Bell and Chipotle. Operational leadership: As Starbucks’ new CEO, Niccol faces operational issues, including declining sales and shifting consumer preferences, drawing on his proven ability to implement effective change.