Who is Sabir Sami, Pakistan-born former KFC CEO appointed to Chipotle’s board?

Pakistan-born business executive Sabir Sami, who rose to become global chief executive of KFC, has been appointed to the board of directors of US-based fast-casual restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Sami served as KFC CEO from January 2022 to February 2025, overseeing the brand’s global strategy and performance and reporting directly to the CEO of parent company Yum! Brands.

Before becoming CEO, he served as the brand’s global COO, leading its worldwide operations team.

He joined Yum! Brands in 2009 and held several senior leadership positions during more than a decade with the company.

Before joining Yum! Brands, Sami held leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, The Coca-Cola Company and Reckitt Benckiser, building experience in marketing, operations and general management.

His career has spanned multiple markets, including Pakistan, Australia, Turkiye, the UAE, Canada, Singapore, Vietnam and the US.

Sami holds an MBA from the University of Karachi and is also an alumnus of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi.

After stepping down as KFC CEO, Sami remained with Yum! Brands in an advisory capacity until this year.

“I’m thrilled to join Chipotle’s Board at such an exciting time for the company,” Sami said following his fresh appointment.

His appointment adds another high-profile corporate role to the career of a Pakistani-origin executive who reached the top global leadership position at one of the world’s best-known restaurant brands.