Chipotle Mexican Grill has named Fernando Machado as Chief Brand Officer, effective June 1, 2026, and Arlie Sisson as its first-ever Chief Digital Officer, as the company continues to execute its Recipe for Growth strategy. The dual appointments strengthen Chipotle’s leadership across brand marketing and technology innovation at a company with more than 4,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Middle East.
Machado is one of the most decorated marketing executives in the industry, recognized as Ad Age’s 2020 CMO of the Year and ranked among Forbes’ Top 3 Most Influential CMOs globally. He spent more than seven years as Chief Marketing Officer at Restaurant Brands International, overseeing marketing across Burger King, Popeyes, and Tim Hortons, where he earned global recognition for industry-leading campaigns. He also spent 18 years at Unilever across executive roles in its consumer brand portfolio and served as Chief Marketing Officer at Activision Blizzard. He currently serves as an Operating Partner at Garnett Station Partners and on the board of Braze. Machado holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Universidade Estadual de Campinas and an MBA from INSEAD.
Sisson joins from Hyatt Hotels, where she served as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Digital, Commercial Services, leading a global organization spanning product, design, engineering, loyalty, analytics, and digital strategy. Prior to Hyatt, she founded and served as CEO of UpPurpose, a SaaS company she built from the ground up, and held senior roles at Condé Nast and Marriott. In her newly created role, Sisson will report to Curt Garner, President, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer.
Chipotle trades on the NYSE under the ticker CMG and employs more than 130,000 people worldwide.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are thrilled to welcome Fernando to Chipotle’s leadership team. His proven track record in building iconic brands, driving category-defining innovation, and leading customer-centric marketing strategies positions him to elevate our brand, deepen guest loyalty, highlight the value of our real food, and accelerate our long-term growth.”
Scott Boatwright, Chief Executive Officer, Chipotle Mexican Grill
“Chipotle has built one of the most distinctive and culturally relevant brands in the industry, and I look forward to building on that strong foundation through authentic storytelling, focused product development, and meaningful guest experiences.”
Fernando Machado, Chief Brand Officer, Chipotle Mexican Grill
“Sisson is a proven leader with a deep understanding of how technology can elevate both the guest and team member experience. In this newly established role, she will help advance our digital strategy, grow loyalty, strengthen how we operate across our restaurants, and unlock new opportunities to innovate at scale. Sisson’s leadership will be instrumental as we continue to evolve our capabilities, drive greater efficiency, and deliver best-in-class technology that supports our teams and enhances every interaction with our brand.”
Curt Garner, President, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer, Chipotle Mexican Grill
“I’m thrilled to join Chipotle at such a dynamic moment in its journey. The brand’s commitment to real ingredients, operational excellence, and a differentiated guest experience creates a powerful foundation for continued digital advancement. I look forward to partnering with our teams to introduce new solutions that drive long-term growth.”
Arlie Sisson, Chief Digital Officer, Chipotle Mexican Grill
