Steve Ells

Steve Ells is an American restaurateur and entrepreneur best known as the founder of the international fast-casual restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, he revolutionized the fast food industry by emphasizing high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients and a customizable dining format. Under his leadership, Chipotle grew from a single location near the University of Denver into a publicly traded company with thousands of locations, significantly influencing concepts like fast-casual dining and food with integrity.

Early life and education

Steve Ells was born in Indianapolis and grew up in Boulder, Colorado. He developed an early interest in cooking, influenced by his family's appreciation for food. Ells attended the University of Colorado Boulder, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history. His passion for cuisine led him to pursue formal culinary training at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, where he graduated with an Associate of Occupational Studies degree.

Career

After graduating from culinary school, Ells worked as a line cook under renowned chef Jeremiah Tower at the celebrated Stars restaurant in San Francisco. This experience in a high-end culinary environment exposed him to the importance of fresh, high-quality ingredients. In 1990, he moved to Denver, Colorado, where he worked as a sous chef at another local restaurant. Observing the success of popular taquerias in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ells conceived the idea for a restaurant that would combine the speed of fast food with the quality and flavors of the food he experienced in fine dining and authentic Mexican eateries.

Chipotle Mexican Grill

In 1993, using an $85,000 loan from his father, Ells opened the first Chipotle Mexican Grill near the University of Denver. The restaurant's initial menu was simple, focusing on large burritos and tacos made to order using high-quality ingredients like niman ranch pork and fresh guacamole. The concept was an immediate success. With the help of an initial investment from McDonald's Corporation in 1998, Ells oversaw rapid national expansion. Chipotle's initial public offering in 2006 was one of the best-performing IPOs in years. As CEO and chairman, Ells championed the "Food With Integrity" mission, sourcing from suppliers practicing humane animal husbandry and sustainable agriculture, which included partnerships with farms like Polyface Farm.

Other ventures

Beyond Chipotle, Ells has pursued other culinary ventures. In 2011, he founded the Asian-inspired fast-casual chain ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen, which operated in several cities including Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles before closing. In 2015, he invested in and became chairman of the burger chain Better Burgers, later rebranded as The Kitchen. His most significant post-Chipotle venture is the upscale Mexican restaurant Pizzeria Locale, which started in Boulder and expanded through a partnership with the group behind Cava. Ells has also been involved with the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, which supports initiatives in sustainable agriculture and food education.

Personal life

Ells maintains a relatively private personal life. He is a noted art collector and has served on the board of the Denver Art Museum. His philanthropic efforts are often channeled through culinary and artistic institutions. After stepping down as CEO of Chipotle in 2017 amid challenges following several foodborne illness outbreaks, he remained involved with the company as executive chairman before fully departing in 2020 to focus on new restaurant concepts and investments.

Category:American restaurateurs Category:American chief executives Category:1965 births Category:Living people Category:People from Indianapolis Category:University of Colorado Boulder alumni Category:Culinary Institute of America alumni