Chipotle founder Steve Ells discusses the startup capital and rollout plan for his automated, plant-forward restaurant chain Kernel with Guy Raz.
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“I just completed my series a round and raised thirty six million. And so, so, you know, that'll take us through the next couple of years and that will be a lot to open up 15 restaurants.”
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More from Steve Ells
PredictionNot 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 EllsApr 9, 2026▶ 4:56Advice 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 EllsNov 9, 2023▶ 17:25When 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 EllsNov 9, 2023▶ 34:35When 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 EllsApr 9, 2026▶ 2:10Advice 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 EllsNov 9, 2023▶ 31:08When 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 EllsNov 9, 2023▶ 33:19When a robot cooks your lunch with Steve Ells of Chipotle and Kernel
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