# Chipotle: Steve Ells

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2017-10-30
- Length: 50m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-10-30-chipotle-steve-ells

## Summary

Chipotle founder Steve Ells explains how he used profits from a single burrito shop in Denver to fund his dream of a high-end restaurant, only for the burrito concept to explode into a global chain. Ells details the economic model that attracted McDonald's investment, his decision to reject franchising to maintain control, and the 2015 E. coli crisis that forced a complete overhaul of food safety protocols. He also discusses the importance of sourcing ingredients like Nyman Ranch pork and the leadership challenges of scaling from a chef to a CEO.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-10-30-chipotle-steve-ells#t=0) Introduction: Steve Ells and Chipotle
- [2:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-10-30-chipotle-steve-ells#t=169) Culinary Roots and the Burrito Idea
- [10:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-10-30-chipotle-steve-ells#t=648) Opening the First Denver Location
- [13:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-10-30-chipotle-steve-ells#t=797) Design Aesthetic and Early Operations
- [25:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-10-30-chipotle-steve-ells#t=1516) Rapid Expansion and Funding
- [30:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-10-30-chipotle-steve-ells#t=1858) McDonald's Investment and Strategic Independence
- [32:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-10-30-chipotle-steve-ells#t=1952) Sourcing and the 'Food with Integrity' Model
- [38:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-10-30-chipotle-steve-ells#t=2314) The 2015 E. coli Crisis and Safety Overhaul
- [47:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-10-30-chipotle-steve-ells#t=2842) Postscript: Alexander Harik and Zesty Z

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Chipotle (company)
- McDonald's (company)
- Nyman Ranch (company)
- Zesty Z the Za'atar Company (company)
- Stars Restaurant (company)
- Culinary Institute of America (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Jeremiah Tower (other)
- Steve Ells (other)
- Alexander Harik (other)

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## Citing this page

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