The next time you drive past the Chipotle Mexican Grill on South Main Street near the southwest corner of campus you can boast a bit of trivia: The fast-casual chain’s financial chief is a former Redbird and this year’s keynote speaker for the College of Business’ 2015 Business Week.
Jack Hartung ’79, MBA ’80, joined Chipotle as chief financial officer in 2002, when Chipotle was a privately-held company with fewer than 200 restaurants. Chipotle became a public company with its highly successful initial public offering in 2006, and now has more than 1,700 restaurants, all company owned, and a market capitalization of nearly $20 billion. Chipotle is changing the way people think about and eat fast food, by serving food made from sustainably raised ingredients and by developing a high performing people culture where nearly all managers are promoted from crew.
In his current position, Hartung oversees all aspects of Chipotle’s finance department, including financial and strategic planning, financial reporting, investor relations, and tax and business strategy. He also oversees information technology and safety, and security and risk.
Prior to Chipotle, Hartung worked at McDonalds for 18 years in various capacities, most recently as chief financial officer for The Partner Brands group. He also worked for Coopers and Lybrand for four years.
Hartung holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting and economics, and an MBA with a concentration in finance, both from Illinois State University. He earned his CPA and CMA (certified management accountant) shortly after graduating from Illinois State. In 2007 Hartung was inducted into the Illinois State University College of Business Hall of Fame. Additionally, Hartung was the recipient of the 2014 Alumni Achievement Award that is presented to Illinois State alumni whose achievements in their field or avocation have received favorable statewide, national, or international recognition; who have received honors from associations or employers; or whose work has proven beneficial to a pronounced segment of society.
Hartung has a wife, Nancy, and five children. He is an avid runner, world traveler, and restaurant aficionado.
Hartung’s keynote address, “Building a Sustainable Business Culture,” will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, February 26, in the Center for the Performing Arts at Illinois State University. A College of Business Alumni Networking Reception will follow in the lobby of the Center for the Performing Arts.
For more information about Business Week events, visit Business.IllinoisState.edu/BusinessWeek.
