The CMO Podcast Chris Brandt (Chipotle Mexican Grill) | Crafting Food with Integrity
Dec 3, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Chris Brandt, President and Chief Brand Officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill, shares his journey in transforming Chipotle into a purpose-driven lifestyle brand since 2018. He delves into the importance of innovation and storytelling while leading through industry headwinds. Chris also describes how employee-driven creativity enhances authenticity in campaigns and expands on the brand's Food with Integrity philosophy. His insights on balancing rapid execution with thoughtful strategy make for a captivating listen for marketers and food enthusiasts alike.
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Hire For Three Core Skills
- Hire people who innovate, tell stories, and collaborate and then give them real responsibility.
- Let teams test small, pivot quickly, and pour resources into what proves successful.
Purpose Anchors Performance
- Chipotle's purpose of "cultivating a better world" anchors strategy and motivates the team during headwinds.
- Chris Brandt says purpose lets you reinforce value beyond price-driven competitive noise.
Transparency Builds Credibility
- Chipotle's differentiation comes from fresh-in-restaurant preparation and higher-quality sourcing.
- Communicating those unique practices builds credibility, especially after past food-safety issues.
