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Steve Ells

Steve Ells

Steve Ells (#3332)

Global Rank #3332
Country Rank #1,005
Country United States

Steve Ells is listed among the world billionaires tracked by Iconic Billionaires.

  • $ 1 B
  • Chipotle
  • United States
  • M
  • 60 Years

Snapshot

Quick Facts

Global Rank #3,332
Country Rank #1,005
Net Worth $1.0B
Previous Worth $1.0B
Worth Change +$0.0B
Country United States
Industry Chipotle
Age 60 Years
Gender M
Last Refreshed 12 Sep 2026, 12:00 AM
Residence New York, New York
Citizenship United States
World Billionaires List United States Billionaires Chipotle

Profile Data

Personal Stats

Age 61
Source Of Wealth Chipotle, Self Made
Residence New York, New York
Citizenship United States
Education Diploma, Culinary Institute of America; Bachelor of Arts, University of Colorado - Boulder
Net Worth Change +$0.0B +0.0% from previous worth
Previous Net Worth $1.0B
Current Net Worth $1.0B

About Me

Steve Ells helped pioneer fast-casual dining as the founder of Chipotle. After studying at the Culinary Institute of America, Ells opened the first Chipotle in Denver, Colorado in 1993. He hoped to use the profits to fund a fine dining restaurant, but Chipotle was so successful he ended up expanding to a second store in 1995 and a third in 1996. Today, Chipotle sells $11.9 billion worth of burritos, bowls and salads each year across 4,000 stores around the world. Ells stepped down as CEO in 2018 and as executive chairman in 2020. He has a new restaurant concept, sandwich chain Counter Service, with four locations in Manhattan.

Insights

Did You Know?

Ells sold big chunks of Chipotle to McDonald's beginning in 1998 to help the brand expand. By the time Chipotle went public in 2006, he owned less than 4%.

Wealth Growth

Net Worth Growth Over Time

Tracking Steve Ells's net worth journey over the years, highlighting key growth phases and financial milestones.

Worth Trend Net Worth Growth
Period Change Worth Movement
Current Net Worth: $1.0B ()

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