Using His Noodles With a vision of bringing Asian street food to the American public, this former restaurant manager may have hit on the next big thing.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Vital Stats: Adam Willner,36, of El Cerrito, California-based Zao Noodle Bar
Company: Pan-Asianrestaurant chain started in 1996
2001 Sales: $6 million
Something Ventured . . . :"I raised money from a venture capital group and a few smallinvestors. My pitch was very straightforward: just me and abusiness plan. I think the relatively small amount of capitalneeded, the fact that I'm a very open person and my industryexperience played a role."
"The secret ofour success is our dedication to quality and hospitality. We willdo anything to satisfy our guest." |
Noodles Chic: "Ourfeeling is hip, high-energy, casual and comfortable. We incorporatematerials and colors inspired by Asia: red floors, slatted walnutbanquet seating, wallpaper taken from Asian newspapers."
Oodles of Noodles: "Weintend to double the size of the company in 18 months, focusing onupscale suburban and urban environments in the greater Bay area andSeattle."
Noodlepreneur: "Ialways wanted to do something entrepreneurial. Asian noodles wereexciting to me because of the great flavors and diversity of noodledishes. I eat everything on the menu at least once aweek."
Contact Source
- Zao Noodle Bar
(510) 559-6828, www.zaonoodle.com.
