# When a robot cooks your lunch with Steve Ells of Chipotle and Kernel

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-11-09
- Length: 42m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-09-when-a-robot-cooks-your-lunch-with-steve-ells-of-chipotle-and-kernel

## Summary

Steve Ells, founder of Chipotle, discusses his new venture Kernel, a chain of highly automated, vegan fast-casual restaurants designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve labor conditions. He explains the hub-and-spoke operational model, where food prep is centralized and delivered by bicycle, allowing for small 800-square-foot locations staffed by only three people using off-the-shelf robotics like a Cuckoo robot arm and modified impingement ovens. Ells reflects on stepping down from Chipotle after foodborne illness crises and details how Kernel’s $36 million Series A funding supports its initial rollout in New York City with plans for 15 locations.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-09-when-a-robot-cooks-your-lunch-with-steve-ells-of-chipotle-and-kernel#t=0) Introduction: Steve Ells and the Kernel Concept
- [1:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-09-when-a-robot-cooks-your-lunch-with-steve-ells-of-chipotle-and-kernel#t=106) Stepping Down from Chipotle and Climate Motivation
- [9:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-09-when-a-robot-cooks-your-lunch-with-steve-ells-of-chipotle-and-kernel#t=567) Kernel’s Vegan Menu and Product Design
- [17:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-09-when-a-robot-cooks-your-lunch-with-steve-ells-of-chipotle-and-kernel#t=1032) The Hub-and-Spoke Operational Model
- [23:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-09-when-a-robot-cooks-your-lunch-with-steve-ells-of-chipotle-and-kernel#t=1392) Robotics, Automation, and Equipment Sourcing
- [31:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-11-09-when-a-robot-cooks-your-lunch-with-steve-ells-of-chipotle-and-kernel#t=1875) Labor Economics, Wages, and Future Scaling

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Chipotle (company)
- Kernel (product)
- Cuckoo robot (tool)
- In-N-Out Burger (company)
- McDonald's (company)
- Lumi (product)
- U.S. Bank (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Podcast: Hello Robot exits stealth; White Castle turns to automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-07-15-podcast-hello-robot-exits-stealth-white-castle-turns-to-automation) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [The Future Of Food Automation: How Chef Robotics Tackles Labor Shortages With Ai Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-11-27-the-future-of-food-automation-how-chef-robotics-tackles-labor-shortages-with-ai) (Over the Air)
- [208: Why High-Mix Manufacturing Is a Sweet Spot for Flexible Automation and AI with Rajat Bhageria, Founder & CEO of Chef Robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-10-22-208-why-high-mix-manufacturing-is-a-sweet-spot-for-flexible-automation-and-ai-wi) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Inside Canada’s robotics ecosystem, world’s spookiest robots, Miso’s restaurant robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-10-28-inside-canadas-robotics-ecosystem-worlds-spookiest-robots-misos-restaurant-robot) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Robot Rundown | Episode 32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/built-2-scale/2025-12-16-robot-rundown-episode-32) (Built 2 Scale)

## Citing this page

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