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On with Kara Swisher
Can Chipotle Founder Steve Ells Strike "Fast-Casual" Gold Again?
May 6, 2024
Steve Ells, founder of Chipotle, returns with Kernel, an innovative plant-based restaurant aiming to shift the fast-casual landscape. He shares how automation can enhance worker wages and benefits without sacrificing quality. The conversation dives into the integration of tech in food prep, challenging the notion of a 'robot restaurant.' Ells also emphasizes the environmental benefits of a plant-based diet while discussing the importance of appealing to all diners, including meat eaters, with unique flavors and sustainable practices.
47:41
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Quick takeaways
- Kernel pays employees well above minimum wage with full benefits and stock programs, addressing industry turnover rates.
- Kernel integrates technology and automation to balance creating fewer jobs with providing higher-quality, fulfilling employment.
Deep dives
Steve Ells - The Chipotle Founder and Kernel Concept
Steve Ells, the founder of Chipotle, revolutionized fast casual dining by popularizing the concept of customizable meals. After leaving Chipotle due to foodborne illness outbreaks, he launched Kernel, a plant-based, robot-operated restaurant aiming to reinvent fast food operations. Kernel's unique model focuses on high-quality ingredients received at a central kitchen, then cooked with precise automation in individual restaurants, reducing waste and bolstering efficiency.
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