Steve Ells

Steve Ells who founded the company in 1993, will become executive chairman after his replacement is found, the restaurant chain announced Wednesday November 29 2017. Ells, who is a classically trained chef, was CEO until 2009 when the company's president and chief operating officer Monty Moran joined him as co-CEO. Moran stepped down in December 2016 and Ells became the sole CEO again. The company went public in 2006.