How do you introduce a novel restaurant concept to the US market?

In this episode, Troy Hooper, CEO of Hot Palate America, the parent company of Pepper Lunch Restaurants, shares his journey bringing a unique Japanese fast-casual dining experience to the United States.

Pepper Lunch offers a "DIY teppanyaki" model where customers cook their own high-quality ingredients on a 500-degree iron plate at their table. With over 500 locations worldwide, they're bringing an experiential twist to fast-casual.

Troy discusses the benefits of the Pepper Lunch model for franchisees, including low labor costs, no need for skilled culinary staff, and the ability to capitalize on the fast-growing Asian cuisine trend.

He also opens up about a challenging time in his career where a major investment deal fell through due to COVID-19, leaving him with no plan B. Troy shares how he pivoted by becoming a stay-at-home dad, immersing himself in online communities, and letting his expertise shine.

Troy believes in the power of giving without expectation and openly sharing your dreams. He emphasizes that surrounding yourself with a supportive community is the clearest path to achieving your goals.

Mentors that Inspired Troy:

Stephen Covey (author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) - foundational lessons for personal and professional development
Gary Vaynerchuk - insights on developing your passions and understanding people as individuals
Will Guidara (author of Unreasonable Hospitality) - lessons on providing exceptional service applicable to any industry
Jim Collins (author of Good to Great) - timeless business principles

Tune in for insights on bringing an innovative dining concept to market, overcoming major setbacks, and the future of automation in the restaurant industry.

References:

Website - https://www.pepperlunchrestaurants.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtroyhooper/

Anthony Codispoti, AddBack Benefits Agency

https://www.addbackbenefitsagency.com/

Transcript | How Troy Hooper Turned Adversity into Opportunity as CEO of Pepper Lunch

https://addbackbenefitsagency.com/how-troy-hooper-turned-adversity-into-opportunity-as-ceo-of-pepper-lunch/

Youtube - Inspired Stories Podcast by AddBack BenefitsAgency

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How Troy Hooper Turned Adversity into Opportunity as CEO of Pepper Lunch

The Inspired Stories Podcast