---
title: "Chili Shack Expands Senior Leadership Team with Appointment of New COO"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/d9f9672c-4c45-4ddc-bba0-aa316fce8035
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20260311_chili_shack_expands_senior_leadership_team_with_appointment_of_new_coo.html
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit","People"]
published: 2026-03-11T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T22:32:28.609Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1504674900247-0877df9cc836?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Chili Shack Expands Senior Leadership Team with Appointment of New COO

**TL;DR:** Chili Shack has expanded its senior leadership team with the addition of Elizabeth Orona as Chief Operating Officer. Orona will oversee employees, operational growth, innovation, and franchise scalability across the brand's footprint.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2026-03-11. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20260311_chili_shack_expands_senior_leadership_team_with_appointment_of_new_coo.html).*

## Story

DENVER— Chili Shack has expanded its senior leadership team with the addition of Elizabeth Orona as Chief Operating Officer.

At Chili Shack, Orona will oversee all employees, operational growth, innovation, and franchise scalability across the brand’s rapidly expanding footprint. Her role will focus on streamlining processes, ensuring consistency and efficiency throughout the organization, enhancing customer experiences, and aligning the company’s long-term goals while maintaining brand standards.

Orona previously served as general manager of several Chili Shack restaurants in the Denver area.

“Elizabeth has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and a deep understanding of our culture, our guests, and what makes this brand special,” said 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.”

Orona said of her promotion, “I’m incredibly excited to step into this role at such an important moment for Chili Shack. Having worked in the restaurants and alongside our teams in Denver, I’ve seen firsthand the passion behind this brand. I look forward to building on that foundation as we grow, supporting our employees and franchise partners, and continuing to deliver the bold flavors and welcoming experience our guests love.”

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- leadership team (topic)
- Chili Shack (company)
- operational growth (topic)
- franchise scalability (topic)
- senior appointment (topic)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20260311_chili_shack_expands_senior_leadership_team_with_appointment_of_new_coo.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/d9f9672c-4c45-4ddc-bba0-aa316fce8035).