BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Chipotle founder to launch robot-run vegetarian chain

  • New restaurant Kernel will focus on plant-based meals made by robots
  • The first location is set to open early next year
  • The Chipotle founder resigned after a series of illnesses tied to the chain

MIAMI, FL – MARCH 05: Guacamole sits on a dish at a Chipotle restaurant on March 5, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241114185800

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241115200405

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118165728

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118184948

(NewsNation) — Chipotle founder and ex-CEO Steve Ells is working on a new chain of restaurants powered by robots with minimal human involvement and serving vegetarian options.

Called Kernel, the first restaurant is set to open in Manhattan early next year, followed by other stores in New York in the following years.

The store will focus on vegetarian food with a menu that showcases plants and legumes rather than plant-based products designed to mimic meat. Ells was inspired in part by Bill Gates’ book “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster,” and said part of the goal is to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

With prices expected to be similar to other fast-casual chains, Ells is hoping the plant-based options will have broader appeal, even among those who aren’t vegetarian or vegan.

The kitchens at Kernel will be run by robots, with programmable toasters warming buns, robotic arms lifting and moving pans and conveyor belts sending dishes through the kitchen. Only three staff members will be required at each location, and Ells said he plans to invest the savings into higher salaries for the human members of the team.

Ells stepped down as Chipotle CEO in 2020 after the burrito chain was tied to a series of outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. The company paid $25 million after facing criminal charges from the Justice Department.

Chipotle has also been testing robotic technology in its kitchens.

Food

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241119133138

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Cloudy

la

60°F Cloudy Feels like 59°
Wind
6 mph S
Humidity
84%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.
52°F Considerable cloudiness. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
2 mph WSW
Precip
22%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Crescent