The game changers: ShopHouseThe game changers: ShopHouse

By Steve Coomes


This story is part of an online preview of "The NRN 50: Game Changers.” In this special report, NRN highlights some of the people, ideas, technologies, concepts and trends pushing the restaurant industry in new directions. The full report is available exclusively in the January 23 issue. Subscribe to Nation’s Restaurant News.

Were it not for big brother Chipotle Mexican Grill, would this summer’s opening of ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen in Washington, D.C., have caused such buzz?


Not likely, restaurant analysts say. The simple fast-casual, wok-centered restaurant isn’t extraordinary by standards of decor, menu breadth or ingredient choices.


But what lies behind the scenes — ample capital for research and development a...