DAVID VILKAMA

Chief Development Officer, Chipotle Mexican Grill

David Vilkama is the Chief Development Officer at Chipotle Mexican Grill, where he oversees the company’s development strategy, including new restaurant growth, real estate, design, construction, and portfolio optimization. He partners across the organization to expand access to Chipotle’s real food in domestic and international markets, supporting the company’s next phase of growth.

Vilkama joined Chipotle in 2019 as Global Vice President, Design & Construction, where he led the company’s development Center of Excellence, helping accelerate new restaurant expansion. During his tenure, he has established an innovation pipeline focused on new concepts, formats, and footprints designed to increase brand access and convenience.

Prior to Chipotle, Vilkama held senior global design and innovation leadership roles at McDonald’s Corporation, where he helped create retail strategies and restaurant concepts deployed across the globe. Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions at FITCH Worldwide and CallisonRTKL, leading retail and design initiatives for major brands including Target, Microsoft, Best Buy, Cole Haan, Buffalo Wild Wings, West Elm, and Pottery Barn.

Vilkama holds a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Minnesota.