NFLer $upport for robo-resto
Chipotle founder Steve Ells’ plant-based, robotpowered fast-food startup Kernel is set to open its first location next month — and has scored New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones as an investor, The Post has learned.
Jones and Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields — who adheres to a strict vegan diet — have each received equity stakes in the startup in exchange for their investment, a source close to the situation said. Further terms of the investments could not immediately be learned.
When reached for comment, Ells said he was “thrilled to have an amazing group of investors who have been supportive of the great work that the team has done to bring Kernel to life.”
“I’m proud to have them on board to achieve our shared vision for delicious food served in a novel, planet-friendly way,” Ells added.
The pair are among several athletes who have invested in Ells’ futuristic concept, the source added.
Kernel features a meatless menu and utilizes an automated kitchen — staffed by as few as three workers and an array of computer screens, slots and chutes that form an assembly line — to prepare food and provide contactless service to customers.
When customers order their food, the automated kitchen handles much of the work. Pre-prepared ingredients are placed into customized metal saucers and stacked in an easily accessible vertical rack, where they wait to be grabbed by the robotic arm when an order is received.
Hot items such as veggie burgers and “chicken” are funneled by a conveyor belt into an oven for cooking. Ingredients for salads, another menu staple, are automatically doled out and mixed by other contraptions.
The few staffers on-site help funnel orders through the assembly line and handle any finishing touches, such as sandwich assembly. The first storefront, at 315 Park Ave. South, is slated to open Feb. 12.