"Chipotle's Robot-Powered, Meat-Free Restaurants: A Game-Changer in Fast Food Industry"
Steve Ells, the founder of Chipotle, is launching a new startup called Kernel, which will feature robot-powered, meat-free restaurants. The first location is set to open in Manhattan, with plans for additional locations in New York. Each restaurant will have a skeleton crew of three people working alongside robots to prepare items such as meat-free burgers, faux chicken sandwiches, salads, and acai bowls. The concept aims to reduce waste and operate more efficiently. Ells has invested $10 million of his own money and raised an additional $36 million from investors. The use of robots in the fast-food industry is seen as a way to cut costs amid rising food prices and minimum wage hikes. Kernel plans to reinvest its efficiency savings into higher salaries and better benefits for its staff. The concept is also inspired by the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.