701: Jae Kim on Food Trucks and Loyalty Programs

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…

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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:
  • Paytronix
  • Thanx 
  • Loyalty3
• 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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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 
   • Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE by Phil Knight
   • The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned From 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company by Bob Iger
   • Principles: Life & Work by Ray Dalio
8. Name one service you've hired.
   • Interior Designer Kim Lewis - Austin, TX - www.kimlewisdesigns.com
9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influenced operations?
   • Restaurant 365
   • Google Docs
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!

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

 

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