Steve Ells, Most Creative People

CEO and Founder, Chipotle

In 1998, McDonalds invested in Steve Ells's 15 Chipotle restaurants. By 2016, he had more than 2,000 locations of the fast food Mexican chain, all the while maintaining a commitment to natural ingredients and sustainability. Ells is a classically trained chef, having studied under Jeremiah Tower at San Francisco's famed Stars restaurant.

Work Life

How Chipotle Changed American Fast Food Forever

Chipotle set out to challenge fast food trends and be better than the competition–in the end, they launched a new industry. Here’s how they rose to the top of the fast-food chain.

Steve Ells

CEO and Founder, Chipotle

Stories about Steve Ells

After Uber, Here Are 5 CEOs We Can’t Believe Still Have Jobs

Sure, Travis Kalanick was ejected from the driver’s seat this week, but why are these bosses still at the wheel?

How Chipotle Changed American Fast Food Forever

Chipotle set out to challenge fast food trends and be better than the competition–in the end, they launched a new industry. Here’s how they rose to the top of the fast-food chain.

Impact

People get even more miserable online when it’s smoggy

Why MLK’s vision of love as a moral imperative still matters

Public schools seldom bring rich and poor together–and MLK would disapprove

Creativity

SNL drinks the Kool-Aid for that controversial Gillette ad

The definitive MLK Day playlist: songs of respect, justice, and equality

Top 5 ads of the week: AeroMexico airline hilariously trolls America

Co.Design

Why the airport of the future still doesn’t exist

The color gold can change the way you spend money

Enter the 2019 Innovation by Design Awards!

Work Life

Why it’s good for you to be wrong

Lessons in creative problem solving from MLK

You can’t be productive without routines and rituals. Here’s why