The Wow Factor
Wow Bao, a fast-casual Chicago restaurant that serves Asian-inspired entrees, has opened its fourth location with plans to continue to expand.
“We are gearing up to grow and are about to put the pedal to the metal,” says Geoff Alexander, vice president and managing partner of Wow Bao. Although there is no concrete expansion plan at this time, Alexander says that since he became involved in Wow Bao in 2009, he has been tinkering with the concept to prepare.
Wow Bao is part of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, which includes a variety of restaurants across the country, like Big Bowl, Mon Ami Gabi and Wildfire. In addition to the four established locations, there is also a Wow Bao concession cart at U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, and the company plans to launch a food truck soon.
In 2003, the first Wow Bao location opened at the Water Tower Place on the Magnificent Mile. The 346-square-foot restaurant is the smallest within the chain, with the others varying in size between approximately 1,000 square feet and 2,100 square feet.
“If you go into a shopping mall or an airport where you don’t need bathrooms, 300 square feet is comfortable,” says Alexander. “However, if you do a freestanding model, you need more square footage because of those extra elements.”
The latest location is also on Michigan Avenue, south of the original locale. The fourth and most recent restaurant is modeled after the Theatre District space on State Street.
For the complete story, please click here.
“We are gearing up to grow and are about to put the pedal to the metal,” says Geoff Alexander, vice president and managing partner of Wow Bao. Although there is no concrete expansion plan at this time, Alexander says that since he became involved in Wow Bao in 2009, he has been tinkering with the concept to prepare.
Wow Bao is part of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, which includes a variety of restaurants across the country, like Big Bowl, Mon Ami Gabi and Wildfire. In addition to the four established locations, there is also a Wow Bao concession cart at U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, and the company plans to launch a food truck soon.
In 2003, the first Wow Bao location opened at the Water Tower Place on the Magnificent Mile. The 346-square-foot restaurant is the smallest within the chain, with the others varying in size between approximately 1,000 square feet and 2,100 square feet.
“If you go into a shopping mall or an airport where you don’t need bathrooms, 300 square feet is comfortable,” says Alexander. “However, if you do a freestanding model, you need more square footage because of those extra elements.”
The latest location is also on Michigan Avenue, south of the original locale. The fourth and most recent restaurant is modeled after the Theatre District space on State Street.
For the complete story, please click here.
Shopping Center Business (October 2, 2011)