# 4 traits Chipotle's COO looks for in future leaders during weekly dinners Informal meals reveal promotion-worthy talent in the restaurant giant. - **Source:** [Fortune | FORTUNE](https://brifing.si/source/769282ef-327a-4454-909a-3c7936216004) - **Published:** 2026-07-13 - **Topic:** [Leadership](https://brifing.si/c/leadership) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/40c5af80-af48-4108-bd83-31b22064e167 ## Leadership scouting over meals Chipotle COO Jason Kidd discovers future leaders through weekly dinners with 3-4 employees from different locations. These 90-minute sessions strengthen team bonds while evaluating promotion potential. In 2025 alone, the company promoted 23,000 employees, with all top roles filled internally. ## Team player mentality first Kidd's primary criterion is team compatibility. 'We run a people business,' says the COO, prioritizing staff who support colleagues. The Taco Bell veteran values accountability - those who own their performance results demonstrate leadership potential according to his assessment. ## Proactive mindset matters The third key trait is problem anticipation. 'We need preventers, not firefighters,' Kidd emphasizes, advancing those who solve issues before they escalate. Despite slowing promotion trends industry-wide, Chipotle's investment in internal talent development stands out as a strategic differentiator. ## Solution-oriented approach The final critical quality is problem-solving ability. Employees who arrive with solutions, not just problems, fast-track their promotions. Kidd's method uniquely observes authentic behaviors in informal settings, contrasting with traditional performance reviews. ## Industry's promotion slowdown Gusto's 2025 research shows promotion rates at a five-year low (10%). Economic uncertainty and job market conditions make companies cautious. While firms like Accenture mandate AI usage for promotions, Cisco's CEO measures team approval for advancement decisions. ## Power of informal assessment Kidd's dinner strategy proves the effectiveness of evaluating leadership potential in casual environments. This approach to identifying individual talent in a 135,000-employee organization offers an alternative to traditional hiring processes. The business world increasingly favors 'real-life' evaluation methods. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/07/13/chipotle-coo-jason-kidd-takes-employees-dinner-every-week-spot-next-leaders-4-traits-hes-seeking/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._