Chipotle Chairman and Co-CEO Steve Ellis opened the first Chipotle Mexican Grill in Denver, Colorado in 1993. Ellis had the idea of creating fast food that could also be good food, not only in taste but in the integrity of the ingredients. Chipotle uses chicken without antibiotics and beef without hormones. Ellis developed Chipotle this way because he felt so many food producers cheaply exploited animals and the environment and he wanted to prevent this.
Ellis believes the future of fast food should show respect for people's taste buds, for their health, for the environment, for animal welfare, and for traditional farming methods. He is working to transform our generation of fast-food eaters and prove to them it is possible to eat fresh, high quality, sustainably raised ingredients that are delicious, without paying more. Ellis believes the future of fast food will see more concepts like Chipotle and fewer of the old concepts that are serving cheap, highly processed food.
When asked about America’s obesity in an interview Ellis stated that, “The problem with fast food is that the traditional fast food model is built on buying the cheapest ingredients. What people do not realize is the possibilities out there for serving fast, inexpensive food with quality ingredients.”
Ellis believes a great restaurateur is someone who's truly passionate about what they do. It is someone who is not in it for the money, but for the love of the food. The very best restaurateurs he says “Are leaders who empower their teams to carry on their mission or start their own restaurants.” He encourages others to share the importance of his natural ingredient mission.
Ellis can be considered a transformational leader because he is a charismatic, enthusiastic, self-confident leader whose personality and actions influence people to behave in a certain way. In this particular case, Ellis is encouraging his followers to take part in a healthier lifestyle and choose to produce or eat fast foods that are not harming consumers, animals, or the environment.
Ellis is a transformational leader because he demonstrates the ability to effectively challenge the process. His idea for using sustainably raised ingredients was an innovative move he made to improve the health risks associated with fast foods. He also inspires a shared vision by challenging others to open their own restaurants and introduce higher quality ingredients. He believes it could impact Americans in a whole new way and create a change for the better.
Ellis communicates high expectations for Chipotle’s food and service standards and this is reflected by how successful his business has become and how quickly it has expanded. Ellis models the way by expressing his high standards of moral and ethical conducts. Followers see what an authentic leader he is from the way he shows concern for the health of his customers. He takes social responsibility very seriously.
Do you believe Ellis possesses transformational leadership and influences his followers to accomplish more than what is usually expected?
Posted By: Christine Burklin
I believe that Ellis is accomplishing more than what is expected. He is going beyond the fast food industry’s expectations with high quality food at a lower price. He is providing the consumers with what they want, while also keeping his own values and morals. This is also creating a temporary competitive advantage for Chipotle. They are able to sell their food for about the same price as other fast food restaurants, but with higher quality. This competitive advantage is easy to replicate, but it may be costly for others to do.
ReplyDeleteThis post is very similar to mine is respects that the leader is creating a “win-win” situation for the organization, and for the followers. He is pursuing his passion for the love of food and not just doing it for the money. He is also providing his consumers with a healthier option with his high quality ingredients. Overall, Ellis seems like a great transformational leader that will keep Chipotle growing beyond its competitors.
Posted by: Genise Logston