On this special edition of Fast Casual Insider, Jerry heads to the floor of the 100th annual National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago to talk with Geoff Alexander and Paul Damico. Geoff is the president of Wow Bao, a Chicago chain specializing in steamed bao. Paul is the CEO of Naf Naf Grill, another Chicago-based chain specializing in Middle Eastern food.

Geoff, Paul and Jerry discuss the rise of third-party delivery and how this has affected their restaurants. They further discuss how delivery is changing their growth strategy and leading them to try innovative new restaurant concepts as their concepts expand.

• [02:14] - Geoff Alexander, president of Wow Bao
• [02:24]  - Paul Damico, CEO of Naf Naf Grill
• [02:45] - Incorporating third-party delivery in the fast casual marketplace
• [05:11] - Planning the footprint of future locations
• [06:50] - Maintaining a relationship with digital guests
• [10:28] - Delivery survival of the fittest?
• [13:02] - Overestimating generational interests
• [15:26] - Is third-party delivery a different daypart for marketing?
• [16:30] - Is Gen Z driving the growth in delivery?
• [17:57] - Why Paul was attracted to Naf Naf Grill
• [19:16] - Introducing centuries-old cuisine to broad new audiences
• [20:49] - Has in-store marketing remained unchanged?
• [21:26] - What's next for Wow Bao?
• [23:35] - Opportunities at on-site locations
• [23:02] - Changes on the horizon

Geoff Alexander is the president of Wow Bao and has been a partner at Lettuce Entertain You for more than 26 years. Geoff is the chairman of the National Restaurant Association’s Fast Casual Industry Council, an executive board member for Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Association, and an advisory board member for Social Media Week Chicago.

Paul Damico is the CEO of Naf Naf Grill and has helped the chain grow to 38 locations in seven states. Paul has also helmed several other brands under the Focus Brands umbrella, including Cinnabon, McAlister’s Deli, and Moe’s.

Our host, Jerry White, has worked in operations, in foodservice distribution, and then in media sales, holding top sales and management positions with several leading food media companies during the past 35+ years. Jerry joined the team at Plate magazine in early 2010 as associate publisher, and continues in that role providing solutions and opportunities for manufacturers and organizations as they anticipate tomorrow’s industry challenges. 

This episode was sponsored by Sage Intacct, a leading provider of restaurant accounting and financial solutions. Sage Intacct helps their restaurant customers reduce time, cost and resources on tedious financial processes so they can focus on servicing customers and growing their businesses. Learn more about how Sage Intacct restaurant customers make smarter decisions with critical visibility into business performance by visiting www.sageintacct.com/hospitality.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Fast Casual Insider in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider...

This week on Fast Casual Insider, Jerry sits down with Carl Segal, CEO of Roti Modern Mediterranean Grill. Carl has spent his entire working life in the restaurant industry and is a veteran of several restaurants with meteoric growth. He shares with us the challenge of getting customers to try new, unfamiliar flavors, the importance of transparency when it comes to food sourcing and how Roti is embracing technological change by giving customers more ordering options.

• [01:22] – Introducing Carl Segal, CEO of Roti Modern Mediterranean Grill
• [06:30] – The restaurant itch
• [09:31] – How time at Potbelly really helped Carl hone his leadership skills
• [111:11] –  Vision for Roti
• [15:02] – Maintaining transparency with customers about food sourcing
• [20:27] – Getting the word out about uncommon cuisine
• [28:09] – The importance of focusing on your people
• [33:13] – How Roti is employing creative solutions to grow the business
• [36:06] – Is the restaurant as we know it in jeopardy of extinction?
• [41:57] – How Roti is changing in the digital space
• [45:47] – What keeps Carl up at night

Carl Segal is the CEO of Roti Modern Mediterranean Grill. Prior to joining Roti’s executive team, he worked at Potbelly Sandwich Works for almost 16 years and oversaw the brand’s expansion.

Our host, Jerry White, has worked in operations, in foodservice distribution, and then in media sales, holding top sales and management positions with several leading food media companies during the past 35+ years. Jerry joined the team at Plate magazine in early 2010 as associate publisher, and continues in that role providing solutions and opportunities for manufacturers and organizations as they anticipate tomorrow’s industry challenges. 

This episode was sponsored by Sage Intacct, a leading provider of restaurant accounting and financial solutions. Sage Intacct helps their restaurant customers reduce time, cost and resources on tedious financial processes so they can focus on servicing customers and growing their businesses. Learn more about how Sage Intacct restaurant customers make smarter decisions with critical visibility into business performance by visiting www.sageintacct.com/hospitality.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Fast Casual Insider in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show.

This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.

This week on Fast Casual Insider we’re diving into the real estate side of the restaurant industry. Helen Jane Hearn sits in for host Jerry White to speak with Nick Vojnovic, president of Little Greek Fresh Grill. Nick has been in the business of expanding restaurant franchises for more than 20 years. He talks about trends with landlords, how to figure out what rent will fit your budget, and common mistakes that new franchises make when trying to expand. Tune in to learn how to secure real estate deals that are future focused so that your restaurant can grow with the neighborhood.

• [01:39] - Nick Vojnovic's restaurant background
• [03:18] - Mistakes made trying to expand
• [06:16] - The founding vision also needs to apply to real estate choices
• [07:29] - Changing trends with landlords
• [10:33] - Are you looking at any less traditional sites?
• [13:32] - Today's new challenges in recruiting and training
• [17:41] - The Founder's Trap
• [19:40] - Diversify the personalities and strengths on your team
• [21:35] - Know your strengths; embrace your weaknesses
• [25:10] - How has earning your MBA affected your approach?
• [30:30] - What are you hoping to get out of the National Restaurant Association Show?

Nick Vojnovic is the president of Little Greek Fresh Grill, a franchise with 40 locations spanning six states. Prior to Little Greek, Nick helped grow franchises such as Famous Dave’s and Beef O’Bradys. Nick is passionate about development and helping brands grow.

Helen Jane Hearn, filling in for Fast Casual Insider host Jerry White, is the senior content director for the National Restaurant Association. Helen helped create the podcast and produces all of the association’s content for social media and web.

This episode was sponsored by Sage Intacct, a leading provider of restaurant accounting and financial solutions. Sage Intacct helps their restaurant customers reduce time, cost and resources on tedious financial processes so they can focus on servicing customers and growing their businesses. Learn more about how Sage Intacct restaurant customers make smarter decisions with critical visibility into business performance by visiting www.sageintacct.com/hospitality.

If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Fast Casual Insider in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show.

This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.