749: WORKSHOP Converting Commissary into Direct-To-Consumer Kitchen with Zaid Ayoub

<p><span class="il">Zaid</span> <span class= "il">Ayoub</span> is the founder and CEO of the Bay Area-headquartered, rapidly expanding fast-casual concept <a href= "https://www.sajjstreeteats.com">SAJJ Mediterranean</a>. A Jordan native, <span class="il">Ayoub</span> frequented a local falafel shop while in college in the U.S. studying engineering and noticed that it often had a line out the door. He wondered if Mediterranean food could blend great flavors with streamlined operations, there was a market (full of hungry people) eager to eat it. After a few years in tech startups, a friend of his mentioned his Mediterranean fast-casual concept idea, and <span class= "il">Ayoub</span> took the plunge, opening the first SAJJ Mediterranean location in Menlo Park in 2012.</p> <p>Today we're here to learn about how Zaid took his commissary, and converted it to a Direct-t0-Market operation, delivering meals straight from the menu, family-style meals, and grocery items. We get into why he took this approach, the technology he's leveraging, models he's implementing, and much more.</p> <p>Check out <a href= "https://restaurantunstoppable.com/zaid-ayoub-sajj-mediterranean/">episode 619</a> - my first episode Zaid Ayoub!</p> <h2>Show notes…</h2> <h3>Calls to ACTION!!!</h3> <ul> <li>Subscribe to the <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJSERtxnAE3V7T9PQ19w_Og">Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel</a></li> <li>Join the private <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/groups/493649961457862/">Unstoppable Facebook Group</a></li> <li>Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!)</li> </ul> <h3 style="text-align: left;">Favorite success quote or mantra:</h3> <ul> <li>"Never test the depth of the water with both feet."</li> </ul> <p><strong>Lots of resources mentioned today!</strong></p> <ol> <li><a href="http://bit.ly/2HqH8VH">Olo - Online/mobile ordering from restaurants</a></li> <li><a href= "https://olosupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000835946-Dispatch-Overview"> Dispatch - used with Olo to aid in deliver