--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We want to make the old fast food model…" description: "\"We want to make the old fast food model irrelevant. We want to make great ingredients and classic cooking techniques accessible to everybody.\" — Steve ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd4/steve-ells-9755_cooking_we-want-to-make-the-old-fast-food-model_2642528.png" --- # We want to make the old fast food model irrelevant. We… ![“We want to make the old fast food model irrelevant. We want to make great ingredients and classic cooking techniques accessible to everybody.” quote by Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd4/steve-ells-9755_cooking_we-want-to-make-the-old-fast-food-model_2642528.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd4/steve-ells-9755_cooking_we-want-to-make-the-old-fast-food-model_2642528.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd4/steve-ells-9755_cooking_we-want-to-make-the-old-fast-food-model_2642528.png) > “We want to make the old fast food model irrelevant. We want to make great ingredients and classic cooking techniques accessible to everybody.” [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. Chipotle aims to replace fast‑food stereotypes with quality ingredients and classic cooking for all. **In simple terms:** Make fast food healthier and accessible. Key Takeaway Support food quality and accessibility. Themes food industry innovation accessibility Mood optimistic pragmatic Type business culinary When to use this quote - restaurant menus - home cooking - food education - community kitchens Key Concepts culinary arts business strategy Questions to Reflect On - How can quality be maintained at low price? - What barriers exist for widespread adoption? A Different Perspective Cost and scalability challenges remain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cooking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cooking/) [Fast food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fast-food/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) ## Related quotes > [The traditional fast food model is built on buying the cheapest ingredients - and that usually means poor-quality, heavily processed foods. But you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/the-traditional-fast-food-model-is-built-on-buying-the-cheapest/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [Chipotle is based on a very simple idea: We start with great ingredients, prepare them using classic cooking techniques, and serve them in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/chipotle-is-based-on-a-very-simple-idea-we-start-with-great/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [“No, it isn't irrelevant. You want me as much as I want you. And all I want is you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-hodkin/no-it-isn-t-irrelevant-you-want-me-as-much-as-i-want-you-and-all-i/) [Michelle Hodkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-hodkin/) > [I've always loved food too much to be a model.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lawrence/i-ve-always-loved-food-too-much-to-be-a-model/) [Jennifer Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lawrence/) > [I swear I want to be a food model.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/i-swear-i-want-to-be-a-food-model/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [From the very beginning. I didn't know what the fast-food rules were.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/from-the-very-beginning-i-didn-t-know-what-the-fast-food-rules-were/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [Chipotle was going to incorporate all the things I had learned at the Culinary Institute and Stars and really elevate typical fast food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/chipotle-was-going-to-incorporate-all-the-things-i-had-learned-at-the/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [Our commitment to serving produce from local farms and other sustainable sources is one of the ways we are changing the way people think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/our-commitment-to-serving-produce-from-local-farms-and-other/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [I started Chipotle with the idea to create an experience that's fast - and not fast food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/i-started-chipotle-with-the-idea-to-create-an-experience-that-s-fast/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [The gimmicks that have driven the fast food sector for years - dollar menus, limited time offers, and merchandising partnerships - are not producing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/the-gimmicks-that-have-driven-the-fast-food-sector-for-years-dollar/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [We're not best in the world at burritos and tacos. What we're best in the world at is building a people culture, sourcing really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/we-re-not-best-in-the-world-at-burritos-and-tacos-what-we-re-best-in/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [Chipotle is really showing that there's a better way to do fast food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/chipotle-is-really-showing-that-there-s-a-better-way-to-do-fast-food/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [You know, I hate to borrow Apple's tag, but think different. Really. From the very beginning. I didn't know what the fast-food rules were.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/you-know-i-hate-to-borrow-apple-s-tag-but-think-different-really-from/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [I'm a southern boy raised in Gainesville, Georgia, so it's natural for me to want fast food and sweet tea, but those are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deshaun-watson/i-m-a-southern-boy-raised-in-gainesville-georgia-so-it-s-natural-for/) [Deshaun Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deshaun-watson/) > [By eating many fruits and vegetables in place of fast food and junk food, people could avoid obesity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-h-murdock/by-eating-many-fruits-and-vegetables-in-place-of-fast-food-and-junk/) [David H. Murdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-h-murdock/) ## More by Steve Ells > [You know, I hate to borrow Apple's tag, but think different. Really. From the very beginning. I didn't know what the fast-food rules were.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/you-know-i-hate-to-borrow-apple-s-tag-but-think-different-really-from/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [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/) > [When I started on the very first day with just one restaurant, we used to pick oregano off the stems and chop them. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/when-i-started-on-the-very-first-day-with-just-one-restaurant-we-used/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [We have two day-parts, lunch and dinner. We don't have breakfast. We don't have drive-thru. We don't have late night. 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. That's about bringing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/one-of-the-pivotal-moments-for-me-was-realizing-that-our-food-with/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [When our folks focus on exactly what is needed to succeed in the restaurants, they should be able to lead themselves to restaurateur level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/when-our-folks-focus-on-exactly-what-is-needed-to-succeed-in-the/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [I'm very much looking forward to relentlessly focusing on ensuring an excellent guest experience, removing unnecessary complexity from our operations, championing innovation, and pursuing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/i-m-very-much-looking-forward-to-relentlessly-focusing-on-ensuring-an/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [When our employees walk in in the morning, they see food. They have to cook. 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. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/the-earliest-recollection-i-have-of-being-in-the-kitchen-and-cooking/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [We aspire to make artisanal tortillas on an industrial scale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/we-aspire-to-make-artisanal-tortillas-on-an-industrial-scale/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [We have a terrific team, and our managers are terrific managers, but we have made it too complicated for them and too complicated in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/we-have-a-terrific-team-and-our-managers-are-terrific-managers-but-we/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) > [If food is processed - like canned or frozen - you can reduce the risks of pathogens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ells/if-food-is-processed-like-canned-or-frozen-you-can-reduce-the-risks/) [Steve Ells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) [Explore all 70 Steve Ells quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ells/) ## More Cooking quotes > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The more perfect the sight is the more delightful the beautiful object. The more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-baxter/the-more-perfect-the-sight-is-the-more-delightful-the-beautiful/) [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) > [I enjoy cooking, but stick to modern dishes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-starkey/i-enjoy-cooking-but-stick-to-modern-dishes/) [David Starkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-starkey/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [A man accustomed to American food and American domestic cookery would not starve to death suddenly in Europe, but I think he would gradually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/a-man-accustomed-to-american-food-and-american-domestic-cookery-would/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“In the back of the fridge I checked out some stewed apples destined to fester. I examined them closely and reckoned they had only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-brown/in-the-back-of-the-fridge-i-checked-out-some-stewed-apples-destined/) [Helen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-brown/) > [My Mom always cooked healthy. Greek food lends itself to cooking healthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-cora/my-mom-always-cooked-healthy-greek-food-lends-itself-to-cooking/) [Cat Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-cora/) > [Cooking brings me so much joy. I love everything, down to the execution of the plate to picking out fresh ingredients at the market.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-budig/cooking-brings-me-so-much-joy-i-love-everything-down-to-the-execution/) [Kathryn Budig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-budig/) > [Recipes don't work unless you use your heart!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-jones/recipes-don-t-work-unless-you-use-your-heart/) Dylan Jones > [Cooking is 80 percent confidence, a skill best acquired starting from when the apron strings wrap around you twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/cooking-is-80-percent-confidence-a-skill-best-acquired-starting-from/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [I have a great time cooking and eating Thai green chicken curry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-have-a-great-time-cooking-and-eating-thai-green-chicken-curry/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There are times when born hollandaise heads, as well as nouveaux turbot freaks and recherche escargotphiles alike crave the saignet abundance of a New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gael-greene/there-are-times-when-born-hollandaise-heads-as-well-as-nouveaux/) [Gael Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gael-greene/) > [Speaking of trust, ever since I wrote this book, 'Liespotting,' no one wants to meet me in person anymore - no, no, no, no,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-meyer/speaking-of-trust-ever-since-i-wrote-this-book-liespotting-no-one/) [Pamela Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-meyer/) > [Balance is key in cooking - you want a little acid, a little sweet, a little savory - the flavors should be harmonious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-simmons/balance-is-key-in-cooking-you-want-a-little-acid-a-little-sweet-a/) [Gail Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-simmons/) > [A combination of the qualities of the scholar, the master cook, the painter, the gastronomer, the sportsman and the pantologist, assisted by the skill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-ellwanger/a-combination-of-the-qualities-of-the-scholar-the-master-cook-the/) [George Ellwanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-ellwanger/) [Browse all 2,937 Cooking quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cooking/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We want to make the old fast food model irrelevant. 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