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The founder who turned an $85,000 loan into a $10 billion fast-casual empire is back — this time building Kernel, a robotics-driven restaurant serving affordable plant-based meals at quick-service prices.
Steve Ells is the Founder of Counter Service, the automated restaurant concept (formerly known as Kernel) using robotics to prepare affordable plant-based meals.
He previously founded Chipotle Mexican Grill in 1993, building it into a publicly traded company with over 3,000 locations and pioneering the fast-casual category before stepping down as CEO. Ells continues to innovate in food technology and sustainable quick-service dining.
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