701: Jae Kim on Food Trucks and Loyalty Programs

701: Jae Kim on Food Trucks and Loyalty Programs

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee March 16, 2020 Duration: 1:22:19

Jae Kim got his start in the food and beverage industry as the owner of a coffee shop --  while in college! Unfortunately, that business failed, but it left him with a burning desire to try again. In 2010 Chi'Lantro was founded. Chi'Lantro started as a food truck serving a fusion of Korean and Mexican cuisine. Today, there are eight restaurants, two food trucks, and two trailers under the Chi'Lantro brand in Austin, Texas.

Check out Business Plan Pro as mentioned in today's episode.

Show notes…

Calls to ACTION!!!

Favorite success quote or mantra:

"To be dedicated, to be authentic, to be resilient, and be thankful."

In today's episode with Jae Kim we will discuss:

  • From a food truck to 8 brick-and-mortar locations
  • EOS - Entrepreneur's Operating Systems
  • Location is key
  • Stay focused
  • Take the leap
  • Take action, stop dreaming
  • Business plans
  • The power of planning and physically writing things down
  • You must reach out to mentors
  • Food truck start-up advice
  • The potential power and impact of social media
  • Loyalty programs - Kim's opinion on the three best:
  • Realities of food trucks
  • Inventing a food item - Kimchi fries
  • Shark Tank TV show
  • Learning from mistakes
  • Franchising
  • Consulting - should you hire outside?
  • Discipline

Today's sponsor:

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P&G ProfessionalTM offers innovative total foodservice solutions featuring trusted brands such as Dawn® Professional, Cascade® Professional, Spic and Span® and Comet®. We are unique in that our total solutions are founded in customer and patron understanding, superior products that help save time and cut overall costs, and a five-star service group that is compensated based on customer satisfaction, not commissions. Visit www.pgpro.com for the latest information about P&G Professional's solutions and services.

 

Knowledge bombs

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    • Grit
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    • Organization
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
    • Culture - do they fit your culture
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
    • Growth
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • Dedicated, authentic, resilient, thankful
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
    • Customer first always
  7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
    GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
  8. Name one service you've hired.
  9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influenced operations?
  10. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
    • Have fun
    • Live in the moment
    • Love

Contact info:

Chi'lantro BBQ website

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

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Huge thanks to Jae Kim for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

Eric Cacciatore sits down with the people who actually run the show in the world of food service. Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore is built on conversations with established restaurateurs and seasoned professionals who have navigated the intense realities of the industry. Twice a week, these interviews dig past the surface, focusing on the tangible details of leadership, team management, and effective marketing that separate a thriving venue from a struggling one. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of what worked, what didn’t, and the often-overlooked decisions that shape a restaurant's path. This podcast serves as a direct line to collective experience, whether you're dreaming of your first opening or steering a multi-location group. The dialogue is practical, centered on the daily grind and long-term strategy needed to build something lasting. For anyone invested in the business of hospitality, these regular episodes compile a vital resource, turning shared insights into actionable knowledge for your own journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

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