Steve Ells is opening at least 15 locations of Kernel, the first by early 2024 the remainder are on track for NYC in the next two years.

Kernel will serve vegetarian sandwiches, salads, and sides made in a space of around 1,000 square feet or smaller. Each location would employ three humans rather than the dozen that many fast-casual eateries have working.

The menu pricing will be on par with Chipotle's, and, Ells says, the company will pay more and offer better benefits for actual humans working than other chains, but then we guess they will not get tips.

Ellis is a controversial CEO. Chipotle had at least five foodborne illness outbreaks between 2015 and 2018, costing the company $25 million to the Justice Department.  He claims the new system's design helps better ensure food safety.

He has spent $10 million from his piggy bank to start Kernel and $36 million from investors.

The whole idea is themed on the concept that people really don’t like other people much.

"We've taken a lot of human interaction out of the process and left just enough," Ellis said.