Insight certainty 4/5 debate potential 3/5

Ells: Fast-casual hospitality does not require face-to-face interaction

Steve Ells · When a robot cooks your lunch with Steve Ells of Chipotle and Kernel · Nov 9, 2023 · at 38:23

Steve Ells explains how automated restaurant chain Kernel delivers hospitality via software, speed, and product consistency rather than human counter staff.

0:00 / 0:17exact quote · 17.8s
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“While hospitality may not be face to face, With the customers, it's providing a really good experience through the app. It's providing reliability on service times. It's making sure that everything that we serve is delicious.”

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More from Steve Ells

Prediction Not checkable as stated
Steve Ells: Robots will not displace restaurant cooking anytime soon
“And so the, your question, will robots displace that? I mean, maybe someday, but certainly not Not anywhere in the near future.”
Steve Ells Apr 9, 2026 ▶ 4:56 Advice Line with Steve Ells of Chipotle
Disclosure
Ells: Kernel needs only three peak-period workers versus twelve at typical restaurants
“And so where a typical fast casual restaurant might have, you know, a dozen folks at peak period Colonel would have three.”
Steve Ells Nov 9, 2023 ▶ 17:25 When a robot cooks your lunch with Steve Ells of Chipotle and Kernel
Insight
Ells: Restaurant models reliant on large, high-turnover staffs are unsustainable
“I know for sure that continuing to operate these systems that's heavy, heavy, heavy on, on numbers of employees who turn over very frequently is not sustainable.”
Steve Ells Nov 9, 2023 ▶ 34:35 When a robot cooks your lunch with Steve Ells of Chipotle and Kernel
Disclosure
Steve Ells shut down both Kernel restaurants after less than a year
“So we closed down the two Kernel restaurants after less than a year spent a couple of months you know, retooling, and opened counter service”
Steve Ells Apr 9, 2026 ▶ 2:10 Advice Line with Steve Ells of Chipotle
Disclosure
Steve Ells: Kernel will offer restaurant workers stock options and full benefits
“And since we only have three people we'll be able to afford those higher wages. Plus I think our Purpose is bigger than our product. Being able to address global warming, being able to address some of the inequality with pay for folks in, in, in the world of f…”
Steve Ells Nov 9, 2023 ▶ 31:08 When a robot cooks your lunch with Steve Ells of Chipotle and Kernel
Insight
Ells: Fast food wages stay low because restaurant margins cannot afford raises
“I think you see depressed wages because margins are so tight, right? It's, and I think these operators would love to pay their folks more, but the model just can't afford to do it.”
Steve Ells Nov 9, 2023 ▶ 33:19 When a robot cooks your lunch with Steve Ells of Chipotle and Kernel
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