Date of Birth: September 12, 1965
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Biography
Steve Ells is a prominent American businessman best known as the founder, former CEO, and former Executive Chairman of Chipotle Mexican Grill, a fast-casual restaurant chain that revolutionized the dining experience by emphasizing fresh, high-quality ingredients sourced from sustainable farms. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Ells graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History. He later attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, where he honed his culinary skills. Ells founded Chipotle in 1993 with the idea of demonstrating that food served fast didn’t have to be a traditional “fast-food” experience. The first Chipotle opened in Denver, Colorado, and it quickly expanded due to its unique concept and commitment to “Food with Integrity”—a philosophy that promotes organic and locally grown ingredients free of hormones and antibiotics. Under Ells’ leadership, Chipotle grew from a single restaurant to a chain with over 2,600 locations worldwide. His innovative approach earned him various accolades, including being named in TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” list in 2007. Ells stepped down as CEO in 2017 but continued to serve as Executive Chairman until he left the company in 2020.
5 Interesting Facts about Steve Ells
1. Steve Ells’s inspiration for Chipotle came from the taquerias and food markets he experienced while working as a line cook in San Francisco.
2. He started Chipotle with an $85,000 loan from his father.
3. The first Chipotle in Denver was initially intended to be a stepping stone for Ells to open a fine-dining restaurant.
4. Chipotle was one of the pioneers in the fast-casual dining concept, focusing on high-quality ingredients and cooking methods.
5. Ells has been a strong advocate for sustainable farming and ethical treatment of animals, which shaped Chipotle’s sourcing policies.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Steve Ells
1. “The idea was to show that food served fast doesn’t have to be a typical fast-food experience.”
2. “We’re trying to change the way people think about and eat fast food.”
3. “Food with integrity is going back to the source, understanding where it comes from and how it’s raised.”
4. “The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.”
5. “A brand is not something you manufacture; it’s something that grows organically.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At his peak, Steve Ells achieved a net worth of approximately $200 million.
Children
Steve Ells has kept his personal life relatively private, and there is no publicly available information about him having any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Chipotle Mexican Grill Official Site](https://www.chipotle.com
2. [Forbes Profile on Steve Ells](https://www.forbes.com/profile/steve-ells/
4. [Steve Ells on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Ells
5. [Culinary Institute of America Alumni Page](https://www.ciachef.edu/steve-ells-bio/
