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

On with Kara Swisher

Thirty-one years after founding Chipotle, Steve Ells is back with what he hopes will be another fast-casual dining revolution: the highly-automated, plant-based food chain, Kernel. Ells says that streamlining and automation will allow him to pay workers well above minimum wage and give them more benefits – all while reducing labor costs. But don’t call it a robot restaurant! Kara and Ells discuss the mechanics and philosophy underpinning Kernel’s concept and the downstream effects of integrating tech into our food.

Questions? Comments? Email us at [e-mail] or find Kara on Threads/Instagram @karaswisher

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