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The ups and downs of Chipotle founder and CEO Steve EllsThe ups and downs of Chipotle founder and CEO Steve Ells

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

November 30, 2017

16 Slides
The ups and downs of Chipotle founder and CEO Steve Ells

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Steve Ells, who will be stepping down as CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., parlayed a 1993 friends-and-family investment into a fast-casual behemoth worth more than $20 billion at one point.

The Culinary Institute of America graduate pioneered the fast-casual segment with his first Denver Chipotle and then, with an investment from McDonald’s Corp. in 1998, spread the company across the United States and abroad.

Chipotle now has 2,350 restaurants.

Here’s a look at Ells and Chipotle’s growth and challenges over the years, from scoring a big, early investor to working to regain consumer confidence after a foodborne illness outbreak.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected] 

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless 

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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