On with Kara Swisher cover image

On with Kara Swisher

Can Chipotle Founder Steve Ells Strike "Fast-Casual" Gold Again?

May 6, 2024
47:41
Snipd AI
Chipotle Founder Steve Ells discusses his new plant-based food chain, Kernel, focusing on automation, high wages, and benefits for workers. They explore the integration of tech in the food industry, the philosophy behind Kernel, and the shift towards plant-based diets for sustainability.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

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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