Chipotle Mexican Grill vs McDonald's: Founders, CEOs and History
Chipotle Mexican Grill was founded in 1993 by Steve Ells and is led by Scott Boatwright. McDonald's was founded in 1940 by Maurice James McDonald, Richard James McDonald, Ray Kroc and is led by Chris Kempczinski.
Company facts
Chipotle Mexican Grill
- Founded
- 1993
- Headquarters
- Newport Beach, California
- Current CEO
- Scott Boatwright
- Employees
- 130,301
McDonald's
- Founded
- 1940
- Headquarters
- Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Current CEO
- Chris Kempczinski
- Employees
- 150,000
Founders
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Steve Ells
Steve Ells founded Chipotle in July 1993, opening the first restaurant in a former ice cream shop near the University of Denver. Inspired by San Francisco Mission District taquerias, he applied fine-dining technique to burritos and tacos.
McDonald's
Maurice James McDonald
Maurice "Mac" McDonald co-founded McDonald's with his brother Richard in 1940, opening a barbecue drive-in in San Bernardino, California.
Richard James McDonald
Richard McDonald co-founded McDonald's and played a leading role in the 1948 redesign that turned a local drive-in into the template for modern fast food.
Ray Kroc
Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald's franchise in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1955 and built the franchising organization that made the brand famous far beyond California.
CEOs and their tenures
Chipotle Mexican Grill
- Steve Ells1993–2018
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Founded Chipotle in 1993 and led it as CEO (co-CEO 2009-2016) until 2018, then served as executive chairman until 2020.
Source - Brian Niccol2018–2024
Chief Executive Officer
Led the post-2015 recovery and digital pivot, including Chipotlanes and Chipotle Rewards, before leaving to become CEO of Starbucks in 2024.
Source - Scott Boatwright2024–present
Chief Executive Officer
Became interim CEO in August 2024 and permanent CEO in November 2024 after serving as Chief Operating Officer and, earlier, Chief Restaurant Officer since joining in 2017. Launched the 'Recipe for Growth' strategy in 2026.
Source
McDonald's
- Ray Kroc1967–1973
CEO
By prioritizing radical operational simplification and large digital integration across the global franchise network, he successfully transformed the organization into a profoundly modern enterprise.
Source - Fred Turner1974–1987
CEO
By prioritizing radical operational simplification and large digital integration across the global franchise network, he successfully transformed the organization into a profoundly modern enterprise.
Source - Jim Skinner2004–2012
CEO
By prioritizing radical operational simplification and large digital integration across the global franchise network, he successfully transformed the organization into a profoundly modern enterprise.
Source - Steve Easterbrook2015–2019
CEO
By prioritizing radical operational simplification and large digital integration across the global franchise network, he successfully transformed the organization into a profoundly modern enterprise.
Source - Chris Kempczinski2019–present
CEO
By prioritizing radical operational simplification and large digital integration across the global franchise network, he successfully transformed the organization into a profoundly modern enterprise.
Source
Timeline: Chipotle Mexican Grill and McDonald's side by side
1940McDonald's
First McDonald's Opens in San Bernardino
Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first McDonald's restaurant on May 15, 1940 in San Bernardino, California. The original drive-in gave the brothers a live operating laboratory before they stripped the model down to a faster, lower-cost menu.
1948McDonald's
Speedee Service System Introduced
The brothers simplified operations in 1948 around 15-cent hamburgers, shakes, and fries.
1955McDonald's
Ray Kroc Opens Des Plaines Restaurant
Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald's in Des Plaines, Illinois on April 15, 1955 after becoming the brothers' franchise agent. That restaurant became the base for converting a California operating idea into a national franchise system.
1961McDonald's
Hamburger University Opens
Hamburger University opened in the basement of an Elk Grove Village, Illinois restaurant in 1961. The training program mattered because it formalized the standards and operating routines that franchisees needed to deliver a consistent experience.
1961McDonald's
Kroc Buys the Brothers' Company
McDonald's says it acquired the rights to the brothers' company in 1961 for $2.7 million. The deal gave Kroc control of the name and system, setting up the real estate-backed franchise model that later defined parent-company economics.
1968McDonald's
Big Mac Added to National Menu
The Big Mac, developed by owner-operator Jim Delligatti of Pittsburgh, was added to the national menu in 1968. It became a durable core product and a recognizable signal of the company's ability to turn franchisee ideas into systemwide menu platforms.
1975McDonald's
Egg McMuffin Builds Breakfast
The Egg McMuffin, created by owner-operator Herb Peterson of Santa Barbara, California, was added to the national menu in 1975. It helped turn breakfast into a major daypart rather than leaving the restaurants dependent on lunch and dinner traffic.
1993Chipotle Mexican Grill
First Chipotle opens in Denver
Steve Ells opens the first Chipotle near the University of Denver, funded by an $85,000 loan from his father.
1998Chipotle Mexican Grill
McDonald's invests
McDonald's makes its first investment in Chipotle, eventually becoming the largest shareholder and funding national expansion.
2006Chipotle Mexican Grill
IPO on the NYSE
Chipotle goes public in January 2006 under ticker CMG; McDonald's fully exits its stake later that year.
2015Chipotle Mexican Grill
Food-safety outbreaks
E. coli and norovirus outbreaks linked to Chipotle restaurants sicken customers in several states, causing a sharp drop in sales.
2017McDonald's
Global McDelivery Day with UberEATS
McDonald's marked Global McDelivery Day in 2017 to support the broader launch of McDelivery with UberEATS. Delivery expanded restaurant reach beyond the counter and drive-thru, while also adding packaging, marketplace-fee, and kitchen-throughput challenges.
2018Chipotle Mexican Grill
Brian Niccol becomes CEO; HQ moves to California
Former Taco Bell CEO Brian Niccol becomes CEO in March 2018, and the company moves its headquarters from Denver to Newport Beach, California.
2019Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle Rewards launches
Chipotle launches its national loyalty program, Chipotle Rewards, as digital ordering scales.
2019McDonald's
Dynamic Yield Acquisition
McDonald's agreed to acquire Dynamic Yield in 2019 to personalize drive-thru menu boards, kiosks, and app experiences using signals such as time of day, weather, restaurant traffic, and trending items.
2024Chipotle Mexican Grill
50-for-1 stock split and CEO transition
Chipotle completes a 50-for-1 stock split in June 2024. Brian Niccol leaves for Starbucks in August, and Scott Boatwright becomes interim CEO before being named permanent CEO in November 2024.
2024McDonald's
Quarter Pounder E. Coli Outbreak
U.S. Public health agencies linked a 2024 E. Coli outbreak to slivered onions served on McDonald's Quarter Pounders in affected states.
2025Chipotle Mexican Grill
Record unit growth
Chipotle opens 334 company-owned restaurants and 11 partner-operated restaurants, ending the year with 4,056 locations.
2025McDonald's
$26.9B FY2025 Revenue
McDonald's reported $26.885 billion in FY2025 revenue and $8.563 billion in net income.
2026Chipotle Mexican Grill
'Recipe for Growth' strategy
In February 2026 Chipotle launches its 'Recipe for Growth' strategy; Q2 2026 comparable sales rise 2.2% and full-year comp guidance is raised.
Acquisitions
Chipotle Mexican Grill
No verified acquisitions are listed.
McDonald's
- Dynamic Yield2019$300M
- Apprente2019Undisclosed
- Boston Market2000$173.5M
- Donatos Pizza1999Undisclosed
- Chipotle Mexican Grill stake1998Undisclosed
Questions about Chipotle Mexican Grill vs McDonald's
Who is the CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. and McDonald's Corporation?
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is led by Scott Boatwright and McDonald's Corporation is led by Chris Kempczinski. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. founded vs McDonald's Corporation?
McDonald's Corporation was founded in 1940 — 53 years before Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., which was founded in 1993. McDonald's Corporation's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc..
How many employees does Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. have compared to McDonald's Corporation?
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. employs approximately 130,301 people, while McDonald's Corporation employs approximately 150,000. McDonald's Corporation has the larger workforce at 150,000 employees, compared to Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.'s 130,301. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. and McDonald's Corporation headquartered?
Both Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. and McDonald's Corporation are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. and McDonald's Corporation?
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. was founded by Steve Ells. McDonald's Corporation was founded by Maurice James McDonald, Richard James McDonald, Ray Kroc.
Which company has a longer operating history — Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. or McDonald's Corporation?
McDonald's Corporation has been operating for approximately 86 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has been in operation for around 33 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Chipotle Mexican Grill vs McDonald's overview