--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our economic model allows us to invest a…" description: "\"Our economic model allows us to invest a disproportionate amount in our food costs. We have a very efficient system: customers go through a single line..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/steve-ells-9755_economics_our-economic-model-allows-us-to-invest-a_1771545.jpg" --- # Our economic model allows us to invest a disproportionate… ![“Our economic model allows us to invest a disproportionate amount in our food costs. We have a very efficient system: customers go through a single line, the people who serve you are the ones who make the food, and our menu board is not cluttered.” quote by Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/steve-ells-9755_economics_our-economic-model-allows-us-to-invest-a_1771545.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/steve-ells-9755_economics_our-economic-model-allows-us-to-invest-a_1771545.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a16/steve-ells-9755_economics_our-economic-model-allows-us-to-invest-a_1771545.jpg) > “Our economic model allows us to invest a disproportionate amount in our food costs. We have a very efficient system: customers go through a single line, the people who serve you are the ones who make the food, and our menu board is not cluttered.” [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The system minimizes waste and labor by having staff both prepare and serve food, keeping menus simple and lines short. **In simple terms:** Efficient, simple service reduces costs. Key Takeaway Adopt streamlined processes. Themes efficiency cost control operations customer experience Mood practical analytical Type business operational When to use this quote - restaurant chain - food service - budget planning Key Concepts lean management vertical integration menu design Questions to Reflect On - How can this model adapt to diverse markets? - What are the risks of over‑simplifying menus? A Different Perspective Complexity may increase when scaling. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [System](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/system/) ## Related quotes > [The economic model was formed by the constraints that I had: a small space, relatively inexpensive building materials, relatively inexpensive investment, a very efficient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/the-economic-model-was-formed-by-the-constraints-that-i-had-a-small/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [After operating in three diverse markets, we have determined ShopHouse hasn't demonstrated an attractive unit economic model.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/after-operating-in-three-diverse-markets-we-have-determined-shophouse/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [“...whenever I hear people say clean food is expensive, I tell them it's actually the cheapest food you can buy. That always gets their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/whenever-i-hear-people-say-clean-food-is-expensive-i-tell-them-it-s/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) > [It's weird how America works. Healthy food costs way more than crap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shayna-baszler/it-s-weird-how-america-works-healthy-food-costs-way-more-than-crap/) [Shayna Baszler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shayna-baszler/) > [I can't believe food costs money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-boyle/i-can-t-believe-food-costs-money/) [Megan Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-boyle/) > [It doesn't have the ability to think rationally this economic model. 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Powe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-w-powe/) > [I think ultimately Obama's ability to rebuild America's image in the world will depend less on his personal good will and more his ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-beinart/i-think-ultimately-obama-s-ability-to-rebuild-america-s-image-in-the/) [Peter Beinart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-beinart/) > [There's a certain kind of academic that comes to Washington and can't survive. 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We don't have 24-hours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/we-have-two-day-parts-lunch-and-dinner-we-don-t-have-breakfast-we-don/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [If we really want to change the way Americans eat, we need to make delicious, sustainably-raised food accessible to everyone. Most people are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/if-we-really-want-to-change-the-way-americans-eat-we-need-to-make/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [Our investors are here for only one reason: great returns. They want to make money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/our-investors-are-here-for-only-one-reason-great-returns-they-want-to/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [One of the pivotal moments for me was realizing that our 'food with integrity' approach at Chipotle was satisfying my passion. 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At the restaurants, we chop cilantro, onions, and limes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/when-our-employees-walk-in-in-the-morning-they-see-food-they-have-to/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [We want to show all of our customers that the industry standards that we had been employing before - which are considered great standards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/we-want-to-show-all-of-our-customers-that-the-industry-standards-that/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [The earliest recollection I have of being in the kitchen and cooking was in the third grade, and we lived in Germany. 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