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Wow Bao grows with Valor Equity investmentWow Bao grows with Valor Equity investment

Chicago-based brand opens delivery-only satellite, plans 6th brick-and-mortar store

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

October 12, 2017

2 Min Read
Wow Bao
Wow Bao

Valor Equity Partners’ recent majority investment in Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc.’s quick-service Wow Bao concept has helped it open a delivery-only platform in Los Angeles and build a sixth brick-and-mortar unit in Chicago, the brand president said Thursday.

Geoff Alexander, Wow Bao’s president, said the companies, which are both based in Chicago, plan significant growth for the brand, which LEYE debuted in 2003 at a 386-square-foot kiosk in Water Tower Place and in which it maintains a minority interest. Terms of the June investment were not disclosed.

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“This gives us an opportunity to grow and scale,” said Alexander, who joined Wow Bao in 2009. Wow Bao currently has five company-owned brick-and mortar units, two licensed unive...

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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