8-KLeadership ChangesExhibits & Filings

CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL INC 8-K Report, Executive Changes (Mar 30, 2017)

Filed March 30, 2017For Securities:CMG

Summary

This Form 8-K filing from Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) on March 30, 2017, details modifications to performance share awards granted to key executives, including CEO Steve Ells, CFO Jack Hartung, and Chief Marketing Officer Mark Crumpacker, in February 2016. These changes were made following shareholder feedback and aim to align executive compensation more closely with stock price performance over a three-year period. The core of the modifications involves adjustments to the stock price hurdles and payout percentages for these awards. Specifically, the measurement period for stock price achievement was extended, the maximum payout was reduced, and a new end-of-period performance modifier was introduced. These changes reflect the Compensation Committee's response to shareholder input and the company's stock performance, seeking to re-align incentives while also capping potential payouts under certain conditions.

Key Highlights

  • 1Modifications made to performance share awards for CEO Steve Ells, CFO Jack Hartung, and Chief Marketing Officer Mark Crumpacker.
  • 2Awards originally granted in February 2016 based on Chipotle's stock price performance over a three-year period.
  • 3Original performance metric required an average closing stock price of at least $700 for any 30 consecutive trading days to trigger payout.
  • 4Key modifications include extending the stock price measurement period from 30 to 60 days.
  • 5Maximum payout reduced from 400% to 300% of target awards.
  • 6Introduced an end-of-period performance modifier: if the average stock price for the last 60 days of the performance period is below $650, the payout is capped at the target level.

Frequently Asked Questions

The performance share awards were modified following shareholder feedback, particularly after the 'say-on-pay' vote in 2016. The Compensation Committee and the named executive officers agreed to these changes to better align executive compensation with stock price performance and shareholder interests.

The original awards required an average closing stock price of at least $700 for any 30 consecutive trading days for payout. The modifications extended the measurement period to 60 days. While the threshold of $700 remains for potential payout, a new end-of-period modifier states that if the average stock price for the last 60 days of the performance period falls below $650, the payout will be capped at the target level, even if higher prices were achieved earlier.

The maximum potential payout under these awards has been reduced from 400% of the target awards to 300% of target awards. This caps the upside potential for the executives compared to the original grant terms.

No, this filing does not indicate any departures or appointments of directors or officers. It specifically addresses modifications to existing compensatory arrangements for named executive officers.