How Chipotle’s COO Scoops Up Future Leaders Over Dinner

Last year, the restaurant chain promoted 23,000 employees, and every single regional vice president role was filled from within. Kidd, who joined the company after serving as COO at Taco Bell, believes these informal settings reveal character traits that daily operations often obscure. He evaluates candidates based on four specific markers of potential: a commitment to caring for colleagues, an ability to own outcomes, a knack for anticipating issues, and a talent for solving problems rather than just reporting them.

Kidd emphasizes that because Chipotle is fundamentally a people business, collaboration is non-negotiable. He avoids those who act like firefighters—merely reacting to crises—and instead seeks leaders who stay ahead of the curve. By identifying these qualities during intimate team dinners, he ensures that the company’s rapid expansion, which includes plans for 370 new restaurants this year, is supported by a pipeline of proven, internal talent.