New COO Joins Chili Shack Amid Planned Growth

Just over four months after announcing it would start franchising, Chili Shack is growing its senior leadership team to support the momentum.

As chief operating officer, Elizabeth Orona will oversee employees, operational growth, innovation and franchise scalability for the Denver-based chain. She’ll work to streamline processes, ensure consistency and efficiency organization-wide, enhance customer experiences and align the company’s long-term goals.

“Elizabeth has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic vision and a deep understanding of our culture, our guests and what makes this brand special,” says Chili Shack Founder Abraham Olivas. “This promotion is a testament to her hard work and invaluable contributions to our company’s success. I am confident that she will excel in this new role, leveraging her experience and insights to drive operational excellence and elevate our brand to new heights.”

Chili Shack offers Mexican-American fare smothered in its signature green chili. The brand currently spans six corporate-owned restaurants and is set to open its first franchise location in suburban Denver next month. Over the next several years, the brand aims to grow to comprise 100 new locations via franchising.