In this episode of the Restaurant AI Podcast, Matt Wampler, CEO and Co-Founder of ClearCOGS, sits down with Geoff Alexander, CEO of Wow Bao, to unpack the remarkable story of how a small fast-casual concept became a national brand available in 15,000 grocery stores, 500 hot vending machines, and dozens of non-traditional locations—all without traditional funding.
Geoff shares how he took over Wow Bao with three underperforming units and turned it around by embracing early technology adoption, from kiosks and online ordering in 2010 to experimenting with biometrics, blockchain, and AI-powered production planning. He explains why limited capital forced him to innovate—and how that mindset laid the groundwork for an omnichannel empire that blurs the lines between restaurant, retail, and CPG.
They dive into Geoff’s philosophy on partnering with startups, the risks and rewards of being a first mover, and how operators can build better tech by giving better feedback. Geoff also discusses how Wow Bao uses its brick-and-mortar footprint to test products that scale instantly to thousands of locations—a key advantage few brands can claim.
Whether you’re an operator looking for new growth channels or a tech founder trying to break into foodservice, this episode is packed with insights on how to build big with limited resources, a clear vision, and the right partners.
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Learn more about WowBao and connect with Geoff Alexander on LinkedIn
