When a robot cooks your lunch with Steve Ells of Chipotle and Kernel | How I Built This with Guy Raz

Intro

In this episode of “How I Built This with Guy Raz,” Steve Ells, the founder of Chipotle, shares his journey of building the popular fast-casual restaurant chain and his new venture, Colonel, a highly automated vegan restaurant. Ells discusses the challenges Chipotle faced during a foodborne illness crisis, his decision to step down as CEO, and the inspiration behind starting Colonel. He also delves into the innovative use of robotics and automation in the restaurant industry and his vision for addressing labor issues and environmental concerns.

Main Takeaways

Chipotle’s Crisis and Reinvention

• Chipotle faced a major crisis in 2017 due to foodborne illness outbreaks, leading to Steve Ells stepping down as CEO.
• Ells and his team implemented new safety protocols and best practices to ensure Chipotle became the safest place to eat.
• Despite a slow recovery, Ells recognized the need for new leadership to jumpstart the company.
• Brian Nichol took over as CEO and successfully rebuilt the team and regained public confidence through effective communication.

Colonel: A Plant-Based Restaurant

• Steve Ells started Colonel, a plant-based restaurant chain, after realizing the environmental impact of animal-based food sources.
• The menu focuses on whole grains, legumes, and vegetables, with one chicken sandwich that mimics the taste of chicken.
• Colonel aims to provide compelling and delicious plant-based options that people want to eat frequently.
• The startup cost for Colonel is lower than traditional fast-casual restaurants, and they raised $36 million for future expansion.

Robotics and Automation in the Restaurant Industry

• Colonel utilizes a hub and spoke model, with a central kitchen handling food preparation throughout the day.
• Customers can order food through an app or web app, and the system automates the cooking and assembly process.
• Each Colonel location only requires three human employees, operating on a smaller footprint without traditional menu boards or counters.
• Colonel uses off-the-shelf robots and custom programming to engage with specialized pans and ovens.

Addressing Labor Issues and Environmental Concerns

• Colonel aims to provide a better experience for restaurant workers by offering higher wages and technology training.
• Steve Ells believes reinventing the restaurant industry is necessary to attract and retain employees.
• Human interaction remains essential in the industry, and Colonel emphasizes the importance of team dynamics and training.
• Metrics for success include customer habits, frequency, and affinity for the Colonel brand.

Summary

Reinventing Chipotle and Starting Colonel

Steve Ells, the founder of Chipotle, faced a significant crisis when foodborne illness outbreaks hit the chain in 2017. He stepped down as CEO and worked with his team to reinvent safety protocols and regain public trust. Brian Nichol took over as CEO and successfully rebuilt the team. Ells, inspired by Bill Gates’ book on climate change, started Colonel, a plant-based restaurant chain aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The menu features nutritious plant-based options, and the startup cost is lower than traditional restaurants. Ells envisions Colonel as a solution to labor issues and environmental concerns in the industry.

The Role of Robotics and Automation

Colonel utilizes robotics and automation to streamline the restaurant experience. The hub and spoke model centralizes food preparation, and customers can conveniently order through an app. The system automates cooking and assembly, reducing the number of human employees required. Colonel’s use of off-the-shelf robots, custom programming, and specialized equipment demonstrates the potential for technology in the industry.

Addressing Labor Issues and Environmental Impact

Colonel aims to provide a better experience for restaurant workers by offering higher wages and technology training. Ells believes that reinventing the industry is necessary to attract and retain employees. Despite automation, human interaction remains crucial, and Colonel emphasizes the importance of team dynamics and training. The success of Colonel will be measured by customer habits, frequency, and affinity for the brand.

Conclusion

Steve Ells, the founder of Chipotle, has embarked on a new venture with Colonel, a highly automated vegan restaurant chain. Through his experiences with Chipotle and the challenges faced during the foodborne illness crisis, Ells has reinvented safety protocols and now focuses on addressing labor issues and environmental concerns. Colonel’s innovative use of robotics and automation aims to streamline the restaurant experience while providing delicious plant-based options. Ells envisions a future where the restaurant industry undergoes significant transformation, benefiting both workers and the environment.