Podcast appearances and mentions of geoff alexander

In our second episode of CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter, Pepper Lunch executive Troy Hooper and Cherry Bounce's Scott Taylor quiz each other on scaling differentiated brands and what it's like to build up emerging restaurants for long-term growth, and some other fun and candid insights along the way.Check out the first episode, with Big Chicken's Josh Halper and Wow Bao's Geoff Alexander, here.

In the inaugural episode of QSR's new series, CEO to CEO: Behind the Counter, Wow Bao's Geoff Alexander and Big Chicken's Josh Halpern quiz each other on what it's like to run a restaurant in today's landscape, how you build teams, pick the right technology, inspire employees, and way more in a candid, unfiltered back-and-forth between two of the industry's most-respected CEOs.The episode kicks off what's going to be a new content series here at QSR magazine and QSR Uncut, where we gather leaders like Alexander and Halpern to dish on what life is like running a restaurant brand. No editors. No holds-barred. Watch the video here: https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/introducing-ceo-to-ceo-behind-the-counter-a-new-video-series-from-qsr/

With Sam out on assignment, guest host Mylas Copeland chats with Illinois men's basketball associate head coach Geoff Alexander. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tech Chef Podcast features a compelling conversation between Skip Kimpel and Geoff Alexander, President and CEO of Wow Bao. They explore Geoff's extensive background in the food industry, which spans over three decades, and his significant contributions to Wow Bao since its inception in 2003. The discussion focuses on the innovative strategies that have propelled Wow Bao's growth, including the use of technology, ghost kitchens, and grocery store partnerships. Geoff emphasizes the importance of looking beyond the restaurant sector for fresh ideas and adapting to changing market conditions, which he argues is essential for any food brand aiming for success.Throughout the episode, Geoff shares fascinating insights into the operational strategies that have enabled Wow Bao to expand into various venues such as airports and sports stadiums. He discusses how technology, including AI and self-service kiosks, has transformed the customer experience and operational efficiency. The conversation also highlights the challenges of scaling a food brand without compromising quality and consistency, with Geoff offering practical advice on leadership and team dynamics necessary for achieving these goals. This episode serves as an informative guide for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and the hospitality industry.As the podcast draws to a close, Geoff reveals his ambition for Wow Bao to become the leading brand in the bao market, aspiring to achieve recognition similar to that of Heinz ketchup. He shares his excitement for future growth opportunities and the need for continuous innovation within the industry. The episode also lightens up as Geoff shares his passion for spin cycling, adding a personal note to the professional insights offered. Overall, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of restaurant technology and the future of dining.Takeaways:Geoff Alexander discusses how Wow Bao expanded through technology and creative strategies like ghost kitchens.He emphasizes the importance of looking outside the restaurant industry for innovative ideas and practices.Success in the food industry requires passion, focus, and adaptability to market changes and trends.The podcast reveals valuable insights on leading a successful food brand in a rapidly changing market.Wow Bao has made significant strides in technology, including self-ordering kiosks and delivery-only kitchens.The episode highlights the need for restaurant brands to embrace technology for operational efficiency and customer experience improvements.Links Referenced in This Episode:gainadvisors.combootcamp.magicgate.comMagicgate.comHow To Contact MeWebsitehttps://SkipKimpel.com (all archived shows and show notes will be posted here)https://magicgate.comInstagram:https://instagram.com/skipkimpelhttps://www.instagram.com/magicgatetech/X (Twitter):https://twitter.com/skipkimpel

Wow Bao started two decades ago as a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Chicago. Since then, it's grown through modern channels like vending machines, deals with airports and sports stadiums, ghost kitchens, and frozen, packaged goods in grocery stores. In this episode, Geoff talks about his tech philosophy (tl;dr: it's good to be first!), Wow Bao's growth over time, and the challenges of selling one brand in lots of places. 

In this episode of the Food On Demand Podcast, host Bernadette interviews Wow Bao CEO Geoff Alexander on redefining the restaurant experience through non-traditional locations, technology and gamification in the metaverse. Co-host Adam also joins to discuss the state of drone delivery and a delivery speed test on DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub.   

Chicagoans may be more familiar with the sweet and savory Asian treats produced by the Wow Bao restaurant chain than the rest of the country. However, as the company grows and expands the reach of its retail offerings, that awareness is spreading beyond the windy city. Here, President and CEO Geoff Alexander talks about the company's history and growth strategy.

In this insightful episode of the Local Marketing Lab, Gregg Majewski, CEO of Craveworthy Brands, shares his expertise and invaluable lessons from over 25 years in the restaurant industry. To make your brand memorable, Gregg unveils powerful strategies that have proven instrumental in driving local growth and customer loyalty.Here are some topics discussed in the episode around craveworthy marketing:Sample your product and get it into customers' handsStrategies for consistently reaching local businesses and householdsListen to customer feedback and incorporate their preferences into your offeringIdentify and community your brand's unique value propositionWays to embed your brand in the community with partnerships and eventsResourcesConnect with Gregg Majewski on LinkedIn.Check out Craveworthy Brands and some of their amazing restaurant brands.Listen or watch Geoff Alexander's episode on the Local Marketing Lab.Learn more about the Organization for Autism Research.Other shout-outsShawn Walchef — great example of posting authentic videos on social.

In this episode of Rock My Restaurant, Paul Barron and Tammy Billings co-host the visionary Geoff Alexander and his journey with Wow Bao, which has embarked on a transformative journey that redefined how diners interacted with restaurants. Wow Bao emerged as a trailblazer in the culinary world through a strategic blend of technology integration, and next gen technology.Embracing Technological AdvancementsAlexander recognized the potential of technology to enhance the dining experience and wasted no time in implementing groundbreaking solutions. Wow Bao became synonymous with convenience by introducing mobile and desktop ordering systems. This move empowered customers to place orders seamlessly, catering to the evolving preferences of modern consumers.Moreover, Wow Bao's adoption of self-ordering kiosks revolutionized the traditional dining model, offering patrons a streamlined and efficient way to customize their orders. This innovation improved operational efficiency and enhanced customer satisfaction by reducing wait times and minimizing errors.Pioneering Loyalty Programs and Delivery ServicesIn addition to technological advancements, Alexander spearheaded the development of a mobile gift card and loyalty program, fostering a sense of loyalty and engagement among customers. Wow, Bao effectively incentivized repeat business by leveraging digital platforms and fostering deeper connections with its patrons.Integration with Devours Web3 Solution has assisted in the overall strategy development of Alexander and how his brand could be on the pioneer trail and separated from other emerging brands.Venturing into the Web3 SpaceWow Bao remains at the forefront of innovation as technology evolves, embracing emerging trends to stay ahead of the curve. Alexander's visionary approach has led Wow Bao to explore brand integrations with Web3 Loyalty platforms, tapping into the potential of blockchain technology to enhance customer engagement and loyalty.Moreover, Wow Bao's creation of digital brand IP in the Web3 space represents a strategic move to forge deeper connections with the Gen Z consumer demographic. By leveraging Web3 technology's immersive capabilities, Wow Bao aims to create unique and memorable experiences that resonate with the digital-native generation.Don't miss this episode, and subscribe for the full breakdown!For More Web3 Topics visit these additional videos for a full breakdown.Savor.fm is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Few restaurant brands, if any, have stayed at the forefront of innovation like Wow Bao, a concept that began as a small Chicago storefront and has now spread to more than 700 “dark kitchens” across the country. Also, Wow Bao recently rolled into thousands of CPG outlets and is plotting a future in web3 that could change the game as we know it. CEO Geoff Alexander joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss it all, what's next, and how you lead from the cutting edge during one of the most vivid paradigm shifts on record.

Time to navigate the exhilarating world of virtual restaurants with Geoff Alexander, the entrepreneurial leader behind WowBao. This intriguing episode promises to dive into the finer details of this revolutionary sector, where we discuss the triumphs, the challenges, and the sheer potential that lies within. Geoff's passion for this space is infectious as he spills the beans on WowBao's unique approach to consistency and execution, and the importance of having resilient partnerships.Are virtual kitchens the future? Is their impact on traditional restaurants fair game or an unwarranted criticism? We tackle these pressing questions with an unbiased lens, exploring the various models within this space and the pivotal role of delivery platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash. We also shed light on the controversy that often surrounds virtual brands, questioning the fairness of the criticism they receive for simply trying to survive and generate revenue. Geoff reveals the importance of supply chain partnerships in virtual brands. His insights into the success story of WowBao's standout Chinese food underlines the significance of having a unique product and a robust supply chain. Listen on as we reveal the recipe for success within the virtual restaurant landscape, underscored by innovation, resilience, and strategic partnerships!Support the show

In this episode of The Local Marketing Lab, Justin Ulrich has an engaging discussion with Geoff Alexander, President and CEO of Wow Bao and Managing Partner at Lettuce Entertain You. With over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Geoff provides powerful insights on how to surprise and delight your customers and why that's the key to local marketing.Geoff Alexander focuses on the key to local marketing: surprise and delight. Here are some topics discussed in the episode:Local marketing is all about community engagement – make your brand a positive part of the neighborhood.Focus on “touchpoints” – interactions that foster personal connections with customers.Getting your product directly into people's hands is powerful marketing.Create delightful surprises that drive word-of-mouth.Actively listen and adapt to customer feedback.ResourcesConnect with Geoff Alexander on LinkedIn.Check out Wow Bao, find a location near you, or buy some at Walmart!Learn more about Lettuce Entertain You.Listen to Geoff Alexander's episode on the Turning the Table podcast.Learn more about the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation and how you can get involved.Find a sweetgreen location near you.

In this podcast, we sit down with two leaders who are breaking the mold of how to grow brands - Wow Bao exploding in virtual brands and Fat Brands growing in multi-concept. We pick the brains of Geoff Alexander and Andrew Wiederhorn.Wow Bao is a fast-casual brand that specializes in steamed buns. The company was founded in 2003 and has grown to over 500 locations in the United States and continues to grow the new model of virtual brand development with unused capacity of various restaurant concepts.Wow Bao has implemented several initiatives to drive digital and virtual brand growth. These initiatives include:Expanding the brand's digital presence: Wow Bao has invested in its website and mobile app, making it easy for customers to order and pay for food online. The company has also expanded its presence on social media and third-party delivery platforms.Launching virtual brands: Wow Bao has launched a number of virtual brands, such as Wow Bao Kids and Wow Bao Express. This allows the company to offer customers a wider variety of options and to reach new markets.The digital and virtual brand growth of Wow Bao has been impressive. In 2022, the company's digital sales increased by over 100%. Wow Bao is now one of the top virtual restaurant brands in the United States.Fat Brands Inc. is a leading global restaurant franchise company with a portfolio of over 3,200 restaurants in more than 30 countries. The company owns and franchises a variety of restaurant brands, including Fatburger, Marble Slab Creamery, Johnny Rockets, Hurricane Grill & Wings, and Ponderosa Steakhouse.Fat Brands has been able to reach a number of demographics by offering a variety of food options at a variety of price points. The company's brands appeal to a wide range of customers, from families to young adults to seniors.

In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with three more leaders from the recent Prosper Forum in Amelia Island, Fla.: Andre Vener, cofounder of Dog Haus; Geoff Alexander, president and CEO of Wow Bao; and Josh Halpern, CEO of Big Chicken. They represent three fast-casual concepts that are quickly growing with innovation and talent development at the core of everything they do, and they joined the podcast to offer a look at how exciting young brands can scale while protecting the authenticity of the ideas that made them exciting in the first place. In this conversation, you'll find out why:Tech innovation requires smart tech minds in your leadership positions Carryout innovation is key to alleviating fee fatigue You can't grow without innovation Innovation isn't without bumps in the road; how you navigate those bumps ultimately decides your fateCulture is hard to develop once you're at scale, so start early Your workforce is probably Gen Z, so train them as suchIf you authentically try to meet your teams where they are, they'll give you the benefit of the doubt Have feedback or ideas for Take-Away? Email Sam at sam.oches@informa.com.

Joining the show today, I am excited to have Troy Hooper, Chief Executive Officer at Hot Palette America. Troy Hooper joined Pepper Lunch as one of the three global business unit CEO's for the brand, and oversees Pepper Lunch's parent company in North America, Hot Palette America. Troy brings 30 years of unparalleled experience in hospitality, operations management and executive leadership to this role, which has fueled Pepper Lunch's infrastructure development, growth efforts, and brand deliverables, creating a fruitful franchise model for the North American market.Throughout his career, Troy has successfully built new concepts, rebranded existing restaurants, and improved well-established venues for iconic brands. Troy's decades of experience and business acumen brings a breadth of knowledge to the rapidly growing global brand, Pepper Lunch.By the way, I have some breaking news for you at the end of this episode so make sure you listen all the way through to make sure you don't miss it!How To Contact MeWebsite: https://SkipKimpel.com (all archived shows and show notes will be posted here)Website: https://ConStrata.ioInstagram: https://instagram.com/skipkimpelTwitter: https://twitter.com/skipkimpelFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/skipkimpel1/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skipkimpelLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/constrata-consultingYou can also hear all these new episodes on the ConStrata website at ConStrata.ioEmail me at skip.kimpel@constrata.ioWhat's up next?Next week is the one and only Geoff Alexander from Wow Bao. We all know both of these names very well. A man who had a vision, assembled an amazing team and has taken his vision to a whole new level! You think he is passionate about virtual brands? Well, you will have to tune in to hear him tell us what he REALLY thinks about the future of that side of the industry. So, check out Hot Bytes on all of my social media channels and let me know what you think. I am very curious to see the reaction and see how sadistic you all really are!

Check out our latest podcast episode featuring Geoff Alexander, President & CEO of WOW Bao! Discover how they're scaling innovation in the restaurant industry and maintaining customer loyalty through reward programs. Don't miss this fascinating discussion on their growth trajectory, unique rewards program, and exciting new initiatives like hot food vending machines and digital collectibles!

Wow Bao was founded in 2003 by Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) — a privately held restaurant group founded in 1971. Since its inception, about 250 concepts have been created, and the organization has opened a number of restaurant concepts across the U.S. Currently, LEYE operates in 6 states and Washington, D.C., bringing nearly 160 different restaurants representing 62 different concepts to hungry customers. Wow Bao is a quick-serve, fast-casual Asian brand offering steamed buns, pot stickers, rice and noodle bowls, salads, soups, and more. The brand has grown from solely brick-and-mortar restaurants to establishing locations in sports stadiums, on college campuses, and at music festivals. Wow Bao has also invested in food trucks, creating another opportunity to bring its brand to customers. Additionally, in the last three years, Wow Bao launched an incredible 700 virtual restaurants across the U.S. and Canada, partnering with other restaurant operators to prepare the food and have it delivered to diners through third-party delivery services like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash. Mark Johnson, CEO of Loyalty360, spoke with Geoff Alexander, President and CEO of Wow Bao, about transitioning from a strictly rewards-based program to an enhanced customer loyalty program, the brand's new program featuring Wow Bao CollectaBaos, and how prioritizing hospitality — internally with employees and externally with consumers — creates customer loyalty.Read the full interview on Loyalty360 here: https://loyalty360.org/content-gallery/in-depth-exclusives/wow-bao-from-the-kitchen-to-the-virtual-space-wow-bao-delivers-deliciousness-to-loyal-customers-en

Geoff Alexander, President and CEO of Wow Bao discusses the rise of Dark Kitchens in Vancouver Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After 30 years with restaurant conglomerate Lettuce Entertain You, Geoff Alexander could teach a masterclass on building and scaling a restaurant brand. And that's exactly what he's done for us today. In this far reaching conversation we discuss the essential elements of leadership, how to build a brand from the ground up, turnaround strategies for struggling brands, and how to outsmart the competition.  That's Geoff Alexander. For more information on Wow Bao, visit https://www.wowbao.com/. ____________________________________________________________ Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time. We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other shows: Restaurant Marketing School Restaurant expert videos & webinars

In the latest episode of Hospitality Hangout podcast, Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and special guest host Sterling Douglass were on the road at MURTEC and spoke to Angela Diffly, Co-Founder of the Restaurant Technology Network, Carissa DeSantis, CTO of Brix Holdings, Frazer Nagy, CEO of Tablz, Geoff Alexander the President and CEO Wow Bao and Zerrick Pearson the CIO at Five Guys Enterprises. The discussion begins with Diffly the co-founder of RTN, Restaurant Technology Network, a membership community that is dedicated to the restaurant technology industry. They have over 300 restaurant brands and about 100 vendor brands associated with RTN. Start-Up Alley, which is presented by RTN. This is the third Start-Up Alley and the focus is on the new start-up technology companies. Next DeSantis, chief technology officer at Brix Holdings shares the new initiatives that they have brought to the brands over the last year. She talks about adding new POS as well as adding robotics. DeSantis is also serving as a judge for Start-Up Alley. Nagy, Chief Executive Officer of Tablz an immersive 3D booking experience stops by and talks about being a participant in Start-Up Alley. Nagy points out that Tablz is the only participant that is the only tech that is dedicated to full-service restaurants. Wow Bao's president and chief executive officer, Alexander says that they have done over 700 virtual or dark kitchen locations and recently got involved with e-commerce direct-to-consumer with Walmart.com and Amazon.com. Wow Bao is now available in grocery stores and hot food vending machines. The last guest from the MURTEC show was Pearson, CIO for Five Guys Enterprises and a Start-Up Alley judge. Five Guys can be found in 26 countries and Pearson manages IT for the brand. He says that he's seeing several companies working on customer engagement. To hear more from all of the guests that stopped by to chat with Schatzberg and Douglass at MURTEC, plus the Branded Quickfire Las Vegas questions and responses check out this episode Hospitality Hangout.

In the latest episode of Hospitality Hangout podcast, Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and special guest host Sterling Douglass were on the road at MURTEC and spoke to Angela Diffly, Co-Founder of the Restaurant Technology Network, Carissa DeSantis, CTO of Brix Holdings, Frazer Nagy, CEO of Tablz, Geoff Alexander the President and CEO Wow Bao and Zerrick Pearson the CIO at Five Guys Enterprises. The discussion begins with Diffly the co-founder of RTN, Restaurant Technology Network, a membership community that is dedicated to the restaurant technology industry. They have over 300 restaurant brands and about 100 vendor brands associated with RTN. Start-Up Alley, which is presented by RTN. This is the third Start-Up Alley and the focus is on the new start-up technology companies. Next DeSantis, chief technology officer at Brix Holdings shares the new initiatives that they have brought to the brands over the last year. She talks about adding new POS as well as adding robotics. DeSantis is also serving as a judge for Start-Up Alley. Nagy, Chief Executive Officer of Tablz an immersive 3D booking experience stops by and talks about being a participant in Start-Up Alley. Nagy points out that Tablz is the only participant that is the only tech that is dedicated to full-service restaurants. Wow Bao's president and chief executive officer, Alexander says that they have done over 700 virtual or dark kitchen locations and recently got involved with e-commerce direct-to-consumer with Walmart.com and Amazon.com. Wow Bao is now available in grocery stores and hot food vending machines. The last guest from the MURTEC show was Pearson, CIO for Five Guys Enterprises and a Start-Up Alley judge. Five Guys can be found in 26 countries and Pearson manages IT for the brand. He says that he's seeing several companies working on customer engagement. To hear more from all of the guests that stopped by to chat with Schatzberg and Douglass at MURTEC, plus the Branded Quickfire Las Vegas questions and responses check out this episode Hospitality Hangout.

Champaign On Ice with Illini Assistant Coach Geoff Alexander!!! Deon sits down with Coach Alexander to discuss the current state of the team, his coaching journey, the culture Illinois has built, and the development of individual players SUBSCRIBE to Champaign On ICE: APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NRwN35... Check out our merch store: http://fieldof68.shop POWERED by BetRivers SportsBook: https://betrivers.com/ FOLLOW US! Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheFieldOf68 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldof68/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefieldof68 POWERED BY BETRIVERS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Heroes & Headwinds, we're sharing an interview with Geoff Alexander, President and CEO of Wow Bao and a longtime leader in food and beverage innovation: from digital ordering to dark kitchens to a staffless front of house. From listening to Geoff, you might be forgiven for thinking that the success of Wow Bao was inevitable, however, Geoff and his team pioneered these innovations during one of the most challenging eras our industry has ever seen, provoking us to consider new paradigms in restaurant operations. And while Wow Bao is heralded as a leader in technology solutions, you might be surprised to discover Geoff's even stronger drive for human-centric hospitality.

Geoff Alexander joined Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (LEYE) in 1993 and following his work on multiple concepts within LEYE's portfolio, including he took over LEYE's Asian concept, Wow Bao in 2009. A pioneer in both technology and social media, Geoff redefined the fast-casual space by implementing mobile ordering, self-ordering kiosks, bicycle delivery, and nationwide shipping. Geoff has overseen Wow Bao's inclusion into airports, major sports stadiums, university campuses, music venues, and grocers around the country that sell Wow Bao's frozen retail line.   Shortly after being named to both Nation's Restaurant News' Power List and Most Influential Restaurant CEOs in the country, Geoff changed the game in the restaurant industry once again by creating Wow Bao Now; launching more than 500 Wow Bao Dark / Virtual Kitchens in more than 400 cities in less than 18 months.   

Wow Bao CEO Geoff Alexander learned that in order to expand a virtual restaurant concept you have to “wow” with impressive branding. Listen to this interview to learn about improving your online presence, digital ordering innovations, and letting go in order to grow. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU LEARNED on Restaurant Influencers. https://restaurantinfluencers.media Sign Up for POPMENU and Save $100: https://popmenu.com/influencers Make your restaurant better with TOAST: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Wow Bao CEO Geoff Alexander learned that in order to expand a virtual restaurant concept you have to “wow” with impressive branding. Listen to this interview to learn about improving your online presence, digital ordering innovations, and letting go in order to grow. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU LEARNED on Restaurant Influencers. Sign Up for POPMENU and Save $100: Make your restaurant better with TOAST:

Lon, Derek and Trevor break down some NFL over/under win totals, including a very sad Bears outlook. Later, the guys hear Tailgate Tour audio from Illini basketball assistant coach Geoff Alexander.

Geoff Alexander, President and CEO of Wow Bao, has a unique business concept that pushes boundaries. In 2017, Wow Bao's parent company, Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, had an idea: They wanted to create a product that could help restaurants and catering businesses that were really struggling. Geoff shared that the company considered catering companies that do one big order a week, then sit dormant; the ice cream shop that isn't working over the summer; and the hotel that has a whole room service staff, but isn't producing to its full capacity. Host Kristi Bridges and Geoff talk about how all of these businesses could benefit by selling Wow Bao — fast Asian-inspired street food. (The company sells bao, pan-seared potstickers, steamed dumplings, rice & noodle bowls and more.) In the pandemic, this idea exploded, with ghost kitchens operating all over the country. Wow Bao had always been on the cutting edge — opening on college campuses and at stadiums, using technology in the early 2010s. Wow Bao was able to adapt quickly, especially with Geoff at the helm. On this episode, Geoff shares how the company expanded, advice for entrepreneurs, the challenges and growth they've navigated and so much more!

Sunday Coffee with River Moon Wellness' Geoff Alexander 12-04-2021 Premier at 4pm ESTSunday Coffee with Leerecs' Friends - Sundays at 4pm ESTTalk show interview with the best independent musicians about their original alternative music.

In the latest episode of Hospitality Hangout podcast, Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and Jimmy Frischling “ The Finance Guy” chat with Geoff Alexander, President and chief executive officer, to explore using dark kitchens to generate revenue. . Alexander talks about how he started back in 1993 with the privately held restaurant group Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants that Rich Melman launched in 1971. He says that Lettuce Entertain You has created over two hundred and twenty different brands in its fifty years, currently operating about one hundred and sixty restaurants among sixty different concepts. “I've worked on twelve different concepts, give or take, in my tenure with Lettuce. It's coming up on twenty-nine years in May.” Adding, “In 2009 I took over the concept of Wow Bao, a three unit brick and mortar store in Chicago serving steamed asian buns, potstickers and rice bowls.” Alexander goes on to talk about introducing self ordering kiosks, mobile desktop ordering, food trucks, and then getting involved with consumer packaged goods. Alexander talks about Wow Bao's growth, saying how the brand opened up fully automated restaurants with no front of house people, where the food came through automatic LED computer monitors. Since April 2020 through today they have opened over four hundred and fifty dark kitchens across the country and are on track to break five hundred by the end of October 2021. When Alexander was asked about ghost kitchens, he defines them as a space that does not have a storefront and a dark kitchen is the areas in a restaurant that are dark right now, an area in your kitchen that you are not utilizing. Alexander says about how Wow Bao's model was built that they have the ability to allow restaurants to turn the lights back on or start using that area of the kitchen that was dark before. He adds, based on the revenue that they can help operators generate and the profits they can bring to the bottom line. “They're able to keep the lights on, keep people employed and that's how we use the term dark.” says Alexander. To hear about Wow Bao's early insight to grow the brand, what Alexander has to say about technology, and third party delivery, check out this episode of Hospitality Hangout. Click here for more recovery and relief information for restaurant, hospitality and food service operators.This syndicated content is brought to you by Branded Strategic Hospitality.

In the latest episode of Hospitality Hangout podcast, Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and Jimmy Frischling “ The Finance Guy” chat with Geoff Alexander, President and chief executive officer, to explore using dark kitchens to generate revenue. . Alexander talks about how he started back in 1993 with the privately held restaurant group Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants that Rich Melman launched in 1971. He says that Lettuce Entertain You has created over two hundred and twenty different brands in its fifty years, currently operating about one hundred and sixty restaurants among sixty different concepts. “I've worked on twelve different concepts, give or take, in my tenure with Lettuce. It's coming up on twenty-nine years in May.” Adding, “In 2009 I took over the concept of Wow Bao, a three unit brick and mortar store in Chicago serving steamed asian buns, potstickers and rice bowls.” Alexander goes on to talk about introducing self ordering kiosks, mobile desktop ordering, food trucks, and then getting involved with consumer packaged goods. Alexander talks about Wow Bao's growth, saying how the brand opened up fully automated restaurants with no front of house people, where the food came through automatic LED computer monitors. Since April 2020 through today they have opened over four hundred and fifty dark kitchens across the country and are on track to break five hundred by the end of October 2021. When Alexander was asked about ghost kitchens, he defines them as a space that does not have a storefront and a dark kitchen is the areas in a restaurant that are dark right now, an area in your kitchen that you are not utilizing. Alexander says about how Wow Bao's model was built that they have the ability to allow restaurants to turn the lights back on or start using that area of the kitchen that was dark before. He adds, based on the revenue that they can help operators generate and the profits they can bring to the bottom line. “They're able to keep the lights on, keep people employed and that's how we use the term dark.” says Alexander. To hear about Wow Bao's early insight to grow the brand, what Alexander has to say about technology, and third party delivery, check out this episode of Hospitality Hangout. Click here for more recovery and relief information for restaurant, hospitality and food service operators.This syndicated content is brought to you by Branded Strategic Hospitality.

IlliniGuy Brad Sturdy simulcasts a Sturdy for 30 podcast as he interviews Illini Assistant Basketball Coach Geoff Alexander. Find out what is going on as basketball practice is getting ready to tip off. Listen now!

Illinois Men's Basketball Assistant Coach Geoff Alexander joins Sturdy and Mike Cagley to talk recruiting, the upcoming season, the start of practice and a myriad of other topics in this edition of Sturdy for 30. 

“Do I think brick and mortar is going to disappear? Of course not. I love brick and mortar.Food is how everyone in the world celebrates and commiserates.Do I believe the pandemic has introduced the mass of the world to the convenience of using technology? 100%. I do believe virtual restaurants and virtual dining will only grow. I believe that DoorDash, a $200 billion valuation, and Uber and GrubHub -- these companies are not going to let delivery disappear.They're going to continue to find ways to push and grow the business. I think technology is only going to continue to enhance both this platform and others in every realm of the restaurant industry.”

Dark kitchens (also called ghost kitchens) have sprung up in droves over the past year or two. But one Chicago-based restaurant was ahead of the game, with their first dark kitchen launching in California in 2017.This week on the FoodCrush podcast, we're talking with Geoff Alexander, president and CEO of Wow Bao about the swift expansion of the Wow Bao brand, which currently has over 400 dark kitchen operations across the U.S. with 200 more on the way.  Alexander chats with us about the history of the company, which specializes in creatively filled bao (baozi), dumplings and bowls. Along the way, he shares key factors in the concept's success, along with insights and wisdom for owner operators looking to grow their restaurants.

Geoff Alexander is the President and CEO of Wow Bao, a fast casual Asian concept that has grown from 3 brick-and-mortar locations to over 300 locations including airports, grocery stores, and food trucks, using what Geoff calls "dark kitchens" under his direction. Geoff also has substantial experience as managing partner at Lettuce Entertain you, and has been named one of the most influential restaurant CEOs in the country according to Nation's Restaurant News.  On this episode, Geoff and host Zack Oates discuss: How Wow Bao has grown so fastDark kitchens vs ghost kitchens vs virtual kitchensHow to maintain a brand identity as your company growsWhat keeps the CEO of a large, growing company up at nightMoreThanks Geoff!

Lon and Derek discuss Javy Baez's magical play, Kofi Cockburn opting to remain in the Draft, and where that puts Illinois' roster going forward. Later, the guys are joined by Geoff Alexander!

Lon and Derek react to Brad Underwood's comments from Tuesday's press conference as he discussed Geoff Alexander, the ongoing search for another assistant and recruiting. Later, the guys are their MLB, NBA and NHL plays for the night.

Lon and Derek hear audio from today's Zoom introducing Geoff Alexander as a new Illini basketball assistant coach, and give their thoughts on the hire.

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Derek Piper discuss Brad Underwood's attempt to fill out his staff and the latest in recruiting. The guys discuss the wait to fill the final assistant spot, the roster seemingly stay in tact and what internal promotion Geoff Alexander brings as an assistant. Then the guys discuss the Illini's ongoing search for a four, whether they should try to add a transfer center and Chester Frazier's immediate impact in recruiting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Takeout, Delivery, and Catering podcast series, hosts TJ Schier and Sam Stanovich sit down with Geoff Alexander, the president and chief executive officer of Wow Bao, to explore the ins and outs of the dark kitchen space.

Fast-casual Asian brand's delivery-only program passes 100 units in 6 months.

"We are very proud that we've been able to help restaurants survive right now. They've been able to keep the lights on, pay the rents, and keep employees with the success that we're having with our dark kitchen program." – Geoff Alexander Before COVID hit, Wow Bao created an innovative dark kitchen program with the goal of giving small businesses like coffee shops and ice cream shops access to an easy food product to enhance their offerings. With COVID still wreaking havoc across the restaurant industry, this program has become a lifeline to many restaurant businesses looking for new ways to generate revenue and keep their doors open. https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffalex/ (Geoff Alexander) is the President and CEO of Wow Bao and joined us for this week's edition of Order Up. Geoff explained the difference between a ghost kitchen and a dark kitchen, talked about how this business model is resale not franchise, and gave an overview of how their dark kitchen program works. Tune in for more information and https://www.wowbao.com/darkkitchen (sign up on Wow Bao's site) to bring the program to your restaurant. (00:22) - Geoff Alexander, President & CEO at Wow Bao (02:39) - Backdoor operations (05:31) - https://www.wowbao.com/darkkitchen (Wow Bao's dark kitchen program) (09:06) - Continuing to evolve (15:12) - Staying at the top of the algorithm (20:57) - Coming together as an industry (24:49) - Balance and safety If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to https://www.restaurant.org/events/learning/podcasts/order-up (Order Up) in https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/order-up/id1511211971 (Apple Podcasts), https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zaW1wbGVjYXN0LmNvbS9IcFhHRHhqVQ (Google Podcasts), https://open.spotify.com/show/3SOAkud8tkbaLCaU8W4Ne5 (Spotify) or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/order-up/id1511211971 (Apple Podcasts). It really helps others find the show. https://www.dante32.com/ (Podcast episode production by Dante32.)

Dark kitchens were on the rise before coronavirus hit. Now, with countless restaurants limited to only pickup and delivery orders, they have become a necessity. In this episode of The Barron Report, host Paul Barron sits down with Geoff Alexander—the president of Asian fast casual joint Wow Bao—to explore how dark kitchens might be a solution for brands struggling to survive the pandemic.

In this episode, I sit down with my buddy Geoff Alexander, who is one of the UK's best-kept secrets. He used to be a personal trainer and a rising star in the corporate world but is now an award-winning Google Ads specialist (first Google-certified in the UK), speaker and digital marketing consultant and mentor. A very fun guy, who is way too humble and has a ridiculously large network.   In this episode you will learn about: The leap from the corporate world into entrepreneurship How to adapt your business to evolving markets How to create consistency in your business (income/leads) How to build and manage your network — Geoff has built an incredibly powerful network over the years and is a very smooth networker (I've seen it in action) How to add value to others How to succeed with Google Ads How to make the most out of social media and your online presence Things mentioned in this episode: Charlie Munger on the 25 most common cognitive biases, “The Psychology of Human Misjudgement”: https://bit.ly/1oKnWmM LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com Connect with Geoff! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffalexander1/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/geoffalexander1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeoffAlexander1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geoffalexander1/   Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminarte/   My Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/yasminaellins/    Share your key takeaway on instagram and I will repost you!