# Chipotle: Steve Ells (2017)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2021-01-04
- Length: 46m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-01-04-chipotle-steve-ells-2017

## Summary

Chipotle founder Steve Ells explains how he used burrito sales to fund a high-end restaurant, pivoting when the Denver location became unexpectedly profitable. He details the company's early design philosophy, sourcing of ingredients like Nyman Ranch pork, and the transformative investment from McDonald's that enabled rapid scaling. Ells also discusses the 2015 E. coli crisis, the implementation of rigorous food safety protocols like blanching avocados, and his journey from chef to CEO.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-01-04-chipotle-steve-ells-2017#t=0) Introduction: Steve Ells and Chipotle's Origin
- [3:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-01-04-chipotle-steve-ells-2017#t=197) Culinary Background and the Taqueria Inspiration
- [10:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-01-04-chipotle-steve-ells-2017#t=629) Opening the First Denver Store and Design Aesthetic
- [24:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-01-04-chipotle-steve-ells-2017#t=1446) Rapid Expansion and the McDonald's Investment
- [33:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-01-04-chipotle-steve-ells-2017#t=1985) Sourcing Ingredients and the Nyman Ranch Partnership
- [38:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-01-04-chipotle-steve-ells-2017#t=2335) The 2015 E. coli Crisis and Food Safety Protocols
- [42:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-01-04-chipotle-steve-ells-2017#t=2549) Scaling Challenges, Leadership, and Future Vision

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, companies scaling up, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Chipotle (company)
- McDonald's (company)
- Nyman Ranch (company)
- Stars restaurant (company)
- Jeremiah Tower (other)
- Culinary Institute of America (other)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Rocky Mountain News (company)
- Bill St. John (other)
- Al Baldocki (other)
- The Art of Eating (other)
- Taco Bell (company)

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## Citing this page

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