Chipotle Founder to Launch Plant-Based Restaurants Operated by Robots

The founder of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is reinventing the food business and he will soon open robot-powered restaurants that will mainly offer plant-based menu items. Each of the locations will only have three staff and the rest of the workers will be robots.

All of the new store concepts will be operated by three people and they will join forces with robots to prepare and serve plant-based burgers, chicken sandwiches, acai bowls, side menus, and salads. According to Fox Business, the restaurant chain’s founder, Steve Ells, is planning to return to the business in 2024 and he will make his comeback via a new startup for meat-free menus in restaurants where staff will be robots and few human crew.

New Chipotle Restaurant Concept for Vegan Meals

The 58-year-old Chipotle founder who is also the former chief executive officer of the brand is rolling out a chain of new restaurants that was named “Kernel.” Based on the shared information, the first store will open in Manhattan then a dozen more outlets are set to follow in the next two years from 2024.

The new Kernel is specially designed to operate on fewer resources. It will also be environmentally friendly because it aims to be less wasteful not only in food but supplies as well. This design will allow the restaurant to run more efficiently and faster.

Robots in the House

Chipotle’s Ells reportedly invested $10 million, sourced from his personal account, to set Kernel in motion. Moreover, he was able to raise an additional $36 million from investors. For his new venture, Ells appointed Stephen Goldstein, former chief operating officer of Wonder food delivery company, to lead the company as president.

Baller Alert reported that the businessman also highlighted the significant role that robots will play in Kernel. He explained that when an order is placed, it is immediately relayed to the kitchen where a robotic arm manages the placement of pans with food in the oven.

At the same time, a programmed toaster sorts out buns and places them in the oven for heating. For the next step, conveyor belts move the dishes through the kitchen and finally, human staff add the final touches to the dishes before packaging and delivery in designated cubbies where customers can finally take their orders.

Photo by: Chipotle Press Release