Kasia (20) and Diego (21) were inspired to make gluten-free food more accessible after Kasia was put on a strict gluten-free diet. Kasia quickly realized how difficult it was to find tasty, healthy, and filling gluten-free meals without worrying about possibly getting sick due to someone else’s carelessness. Kasia is from Sicily which is known for having delicious food. She did not want to feel like she was missing out on all the Sicilian cuisine so she decided to make gluten-free versions of the food she was missing.

Diego and Kasia created Terved which is a gluten-free bakery. The idea to create this business came easy to Kasia because she has always had a creative mind and she loves to make things. She even had her own lip balm business at 15 years old! Being familiar with making a small business, Kasia and Diego felt well prepared to create Terved, which was demonstrated by how quickly Terved became successful. Kasia and Deigo have been able to place their products in grocery stores around Sicily and they have their items in over 50 bakeries throughout Europe. There was more of a demand for gluten-free food than they might have realized. People in Sicily loved this food!

The main goal of Terved is to provide a stress-free eating experience for those who have to eat gluten-free. Terved has a wide variety of items including donuts, cannolis, breads, muffins, and much more. It is abnormal to have gluten-free baked goods which is what sets Terved apart. People are usually surprised to find gluten-free canollis and pastries so readily available. This was Kasia’s whole point. She did not want normal things like pastries to be a specialty for those who have to eat gluten-free. She wanted people to feel like they had a very similar amount of options despite their diet. Kasia and Diego say that the biggest reward is seeing the smiles on their customers’ faces!!

Steve Ells, went to culinary school and is trained chef. He had the idea for Chipotle while working at a high end restaurant in San Francisco. Frustrated with the lack of affordable and quick,  high-quality food options, Ells envisioned a place where people could enjoy freshly prepared Mexican-inspired dishes without compromising taste. Ells turned his vision into reality when he opened the first Chipotle restaurant in Denver, Colorado, on July 13, 1993. The name “Chipotle” is derived from the Nahuatl word “chīlpōctli.”

One of Chipotle’s founding principles was the commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Ells aimed for naturally raised meats and organic produce whenever possible, setting Chipotle apart from other fast-food chains. This dedication to freshness appealed to health-conscious consumers and contributed to the company’s success in the business world. 

While the initial menu was fairly simple, featuring burritos, tacos, and salads, the customizable nature of the offerings set Chipotle apart. Customers could choose their preferred protein, from grilled chicken to steak, and customize their meals with fresh toppings and sauces. This personalized, Subway type service concept was a game-changer and became a significant factor in Chipotle’s rapid expansion.

In the early 2000s, Chipotle took a bold stance on sourcing ethically raised meat long before it became a widespread trend. The company is committed to using only responsibly raised, hormone-free meats, supporting sustainable farming practices. This commitment resonated with environmentally conscious consumers and the food industry as a whole. 

Chipotle’s popularity snowballed, expanding its restaurant locations across the United States and eventually internationally. However, the company faced challenges, including food safety issues in 2015 that temporarily tarnished its reputation. Despite setbacks, Chipotle undertook comprehensive measures to enhance food safety protocols and rebuild customer trust.

Chipotle continues to be a force in the fast-food industry, known for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. The company’s success story demonstrates how well Ells thinks like an entrepreneur.